Let's get--and keep--patients engaged in their care

by Julie Manas Growing up, one of my favorite TV shows was "Marcus Welby, M.D." (Yes, I'm old). Although some of the story lines were considered controversial at the time, the actor-patients were generally portrayed as compliant and unquestioning of their physician, Dr. Welby, or his much younger partner, Dr. Steven Kiley. Fictional drama mirrored real life back then, as patients tended to be recipients of care, one-directional, rather than engaged in care, bi-directional. Fast forward, today's patients are far more involved with every aspect of their care. They come to our physician offices and hospitals armed with the latest information downloaded from their private physician, "Dr. Google." They expect us to ask them questions, include them in discussions and be open to two-way dialogue. As healthcare providers, we need to find ways to encourage our patients to become engaged in their care, and remain engaged. At Sacred Heart Hospital, we have made patient engagement a priority. Rather than nurses "giving report" to the next shift while sitting around a conference table or break room, the two nurses meet in the patient's room and include the patient, and at times their family, in providing an update on their care and what to expect during the next shift. Often, it's the patient who interjects a new piece of information or a correction to what the clinician is being told. Also, we use white boards in the patients' rooms and ask them to articulate the care goals t...
Source: hospital impact - Category: Health Managers Authors: Source Type: blogs