Patient Engagement. I
like these words, actually. I think that patient engagement is a great idea… a
challenge, but a good idea nonetheless. So, I generally start all of my posts
with an simply worded explanation of the concept for those who are not familiar
and this will be no different.
The idea behind patient engagement is simple. Many assume
that if healthcare providers can get patients more involved, more interested in
their own healthcare, it will result in better outcomes, fewer re-admissions,
and just better overall health for their patients. So what does it mean to get
patients interested and involved? That is a tough one… Why? Well, there is a
double-edged sword hidden in the answer.
When healthcare providers refer to patient engagement, they
are usually talking about patient’s following the doctor’s instructions. For
example, ‘engagement’ in the usual context may refer to a patient taking
medication as prescribed. But, that hardly meets the real definition of
engagement. To be engaged, really engaged, a patient needs to be educated about
the course of their disease/condition, self-care, and treatment options.
Further, the patient must have full access to their medical records.
Perhaps, now you can see the other edge of the sword emerging.
Patients who are really engaged may in fact choose to pursue treatment options
(or wellness options) that go against traditionally accepted medical advice. Patients
who are truly engaged, may challenge their doctor’s recommendations or ask a
lot of questions. For example, I have a friend who chose to treat her child’s
scoliosis with chiropractic rather than seeing the orthopedist recommended by
the pediatrician. Was it the right choice? I don’t know – I am not a doctor.
The point is clear, though. Patient engagement offers
patients an opportunity to take control of their healthcare. Still, maybe we
should consider other possibilities. I hate to say this, but we all know it is
true. Sometimes information in the wrong
hands can be dangerous. Further, the internet is full of erroneous information.
How will people who are not medically trained sort through it all? Could
patient engagement result in worse outcomes, more re-admissions, and less
healthy patients?
Believe me, I am not implying that I disagree with patient engagement in healthcare.
I am simply saying we need to be very careful of its applications. If patients
are to be more engaged, healthcare providers need to see that engagement will
result in much more than patients simply following instructions. Therefore, the
only solution is for providers to guide patients to legitimate information,
encourage open dialogue, and be open minded (not condescending) when it comes
to discussing alternative therapies.
