Survey Supports the Principles in Patient Confidential
The February, 2015 issue of Consumer Reports has an excellent article titled "How Not to Get Sick(er) In the Hospital," based on a Consumer Reports survey and other respected health care studies. I was happy to see that the article supports and reinforces several of the core principles and tips I have in my book, Patient Confidential, Tips and Advice To Keep You Safe As You Navigate the Healthcare System
The article shows numerous cases where proactive, involved patients got better results. As I point out in my book, the patient is not a passive object of treatment, but must be an active partner in his or her health care. The survey found that "about 40 percent of patients . . . did not feel staff always took a personal interest in them." The article goes on to say, "Reminding people that you are more than a diagnosis can change that." The article suggests talking with medical providers about aspects of your life other than your illness, and taking an interest in anything they tell you about themselves, to create a personal and less sterile relationship. These ideas translate to real, tangible differences in care. The article notes that people who rarely received respect from providers were two and a half times as likely to be the victims of medical errors.
The article also stresses another principle I write about in my book. Have a family member or friend accompany you to healthcare encounters, to be a second set of eyes and ears and to be an advocate when necessary. Survey respondents who did this were 16 percent more likely to feel respected and 12 percent more likely to recommend their hospital. When I have had surgery, my wife always plans her schedule to be at the hospital during and after the surgery, and the next day when the doctor is expected to come with more information and instructions. We both want her to hear what the doctor says.
Another key tip in Patient Confidential and in the article, is to write things down. It is hard enough to remember complicated medical explanations when you are well, let alone when you are sick. Listen carefully, always ask questions if you don't understand what the provider has said, and write it down. If possible, have your loved one present and writing things down too.
Learn how to get involved in your healthcare. It pays huge dividends.
The article shows numerous cases where proactive, involved patients got better results. As I point out in my book, the patient is not a passive object of treatment, but must be an active partner in his or her health care. The survey found that "about 40 percent of patients . . . did not feel staff always took a personal interest in them." The article goes on to say, "Reminding people that you are more than a diagnosis can change that." The article suggests talking with medical providers about aspects of your life other than your illness, and taking an interest in anything they tell you about themselves, to create a personal and less sterile relationship. These ideas translate to real, tangible differences in care. The article notes that people who rarely received respect from providers were two and a half times as likely to be the victims of medical errors.
The article also stresses another principle I write about in my book. Have a family member or friend accompany you to healthcare encounters, to be a second set of eyes and ears and to be an advocate when necessary. Survey respondents who did this were 16 percent more likely to feel respected and 12 percent more likely to recommend their hospital. When I have had surgery, my wife always plans her schedule to be at the hospital during and after the surgery, and the next day when the doctor is expected to come with more information and instructions. We both want her to hear what the doctor says.
Another key tip in Patient Confidential and in the article, is to write things down. It is hard enough to remember complicated medical explanations when you are well, let alone when you are sick. Listen carefully, always ask questions if you don't understand what the provider has said, and write it down. If possible, have your loved one present and writing things down too.
Learn how to get involved in your healthcare. It pays huge dividends.
