When you watch someone who is talented at what they do, sometimes it is natural to believe that a gift comes easily and requires no maintenance. Of course you know that they must do some work, but you probably think that they have it easy.
Nothing could be further from the truth. I believe that the easier it looks to outsiders, the more difficult it probably actually is to perform that way. If someone is consistently good it is because they work at it. In this same way, a person with little recognized natural talent can become proficient. That’s what America is about.
In the world of medicine and healthcare, you want your personal physician to have the natural ability to be a good diagnostician. This means that he(or she) can read the signs that point to a proper diagnosis. This ability to define the problem correctly is at the heart of good medical care. Additionally, you need your physician to be able to draw on experience, to be able to learn new skills, and maybe most importantly, be able to deliver individualized care.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Poly-Pharmacy: A Different Perspective
As a physician, I am constantly confronted by patients that tell me they don't want to take any medication. I fully understand that, but what is a physician supposed to do when a patient is already on two medicines for their blood pressure and it is still too high? The main two options are to add another medication or have the patient accept the risk of uncontrolled hypertension. The sad fact is that the average number of meds that a patient requires to adequately control their blood pressure is 2.8. Throw in some diabetes and a cholesterol problem (risk factors tend to cluster in patients), and the pill burden on a patient becomes quite substantial. There is a third option, however. It's called lifestyle choices, yet very few patients chose to take the personal responsibility required to control their blood pressure, diabetes and hyperlipidemia without medications. This is a huge issue. Despite gains, cardiovascular disease remains the number one killer in the US, and it is largely preventable.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Health Handle
Dear Informed Patient,
Welcome to a new era in Healthcare! Like or not, these times are a-changing. To this end, I join my husband Dr. Al (Family Practice) and heartily embark on a project to help in the redefining process.
You are responsible for your own health. The doctors you choose guide you. There are as many different personalities in physicians as anyone else. Finding a healthcare provider that suits your needs can be daunting, yet there are many who can fulfill this role for you. You have a responsibility to do what you can on your on, and expect expert advice and treatment for questions and ailments. Some things you can do on your own include: finding humor in life's circumstances, pursuing moderation in lifestyle, promoting active and healthy habits for children, paying attention to family matters, keeping good medical records, following doctors instructions, and keeping your vaccinations current. And don't forget to revitalize yourself in some way everyday. Life is just too short and stress is ubiquitous.
For example, if you care at all about your health, you should not smoke. It can be very difficult to quit because it is a habit and nicotine is addictive. Attack the issue as two separate problems. For instance, attack the habit of having a smoke during a work break by chewing gum instead. The chemical dependence you may have is another matter, but solvable as well. Replacing the bad habits with a good ones will ease the transition. Challenges are never easy, but it will be worth it. If you can't get it together enough on your own, enlist help and try to stay positive. You may need professional advice. Go seek it if necessary. Keep a journal, diary or blog of the ups and downs and learn from it.
In this way, you begin to become an informed patient. You have documented problem solving, which may be necessary for insurance purposes in the future. For now, it is a learning tool. You have taught yourself that you can be in control of an aspect of your life which controlled you in the past. Now move on to the next hurdle. If you're a smoker, you may have to rejump the same hurdle 100 or more times. Who knows? You and your loved ones will still be better off for it. And if you succeeded once, next time could be easier. The point is that it is up to you.
You, the patient, are a client. For good outcomes to be possible, know what you and your doctor are trying to achieve. The informed patient can expect to play a large role in their health and be better prepared for instances of illness and recovery. We feel that this shared accountability is on the horizon and will the standard of care. Well managed records with client ability to review their own history will lead to better health overall and lower medical costs because this same informed patient will be able to review their records easily, follow their progress, even spot a transcription error.
cj
Disclaimer:
Lastly, this is a journal. Journals are blogs. Blogs are opinions. We will be sharing some of our own thoughts, other blogs, and linking some resources that we enjoy and and hope will be of interest, comfort and/help to you. Nothing published here supercedes individual advice or treatment plans from your personal healthcare providers. It is not meant as a substitute for any interaction deemed to be medically relevant. Likewise, misusing any content, by any means, is potentially subject to lawful intervention. Be responsible for your time online.
Welcome to a new era in Healthcare! Like or not, these times are a-changing. To this end, I join my husband Dr. Al (Family Practice) and heartily embark on a project to help in the redefining process.
You are responsible for your own health. The doctors you choose guide you. There are as many different personalities in physicians as anyone else. Finding a healthcare provider that suits your needs can be daunting, yet there are many who can fulfill this role for you. You have a responsibility to do what you can on your on, and expect expert advice and treatment for questions and ailments. Some things you can do on your own include: finding humor in life's circumstances, pursuing moderation in lifestyle, promoting active and healthy habits for children, paying attention to family matters, keeping good medical records, following doctors instructions, and keeping your vaccinations current. And don't forget to revitalize yourself in some way everyday. Life is just too short and stress is ubiquitous.
For example, if you care at all about your health, you should not smoke. It can be very difficult to quit because it is a habit and nicotine is addictive. Attack the issue as two separate problems. For instance, attack the habit of having a smoke during a work break by chewing gum instead. The chemical dependence you may have is another matter, but solvable as well. Replacing the bad habits with a good ones will ease the transition. Challenges are never easy, but it will be worth it. If you can't get it together enough on your own, enlist help and try to stay positive. You may need professional advice. Go seek it if necessary. Keep a journal, diary or blog of the ups and downs and learn from it.
In this way, you begin to become an informed patient. You have documented problem solving, which may be necessary for insurance purposes in the future. For now, it is a learning tool. You have taught yourself that you can be in control of an aspect of your life which controlled you in the past. Now move on to the next hurdle. If you're a smoker, you may have to rejump the same hurdle 100 or more times. Who knows? You and your loved ones will still be better off for it. And if you succeeded once, next time could be easier. The point is that it is up to you.
You, the patient, are a client. For good outcomes to be possible, know what you and your doctor are trying to achieve. The informed patient can expect to play a large role in their health and be better prepared for instances of illness and recovery. We feel that this shared accountability is on the horizon and will the standard of care. Well managed records with client ability to review their own history will lead to better health overall and lower medical costs because this same informed patient will be able to review their records easily, follow their progress, even spot a transcription error.
cj
Disclaimer:
Lastly, this is a journal. Journals are blogs. Blogs are opinions. We will be sharing some of our own thoughts, other blogs, and linking some resources that we enjoy and and hope will be of interest, comfort and/help to you. Nothing published here supercedes individual advice or treatment plans from your personal healthcare providers. It is not meant as a substitute for any interaction deemed to be medically relevant. Likewise, misusing any content, by any means, is potentially subject to lawful intervention. Be responsible for your time online.
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