World of Wellness
Follow Me:

Sheila's Blog

  • Home
  • About Me
  • Keto Blog
  • Blog
  • Products
    • Aloe Vera
  • Yoga
    • Yoga Classes
    • Yoga Q&A
  • Meditation
    • Meditation Sessions
    • Meditation Q&A
  • Ayurveda
    • Ayurveda Program
    • Ayurveda Q&A
  • Relaxation
    • More about Relaxation
    • Relaxation Training
  • Training Programmes
    • Chopra Centre Programs
    • Retreat
    • Relaxation Training Programme
    • Ayurveda Lifestyle Programme
  • Contact Me

How to Be Your Own Medical Advocate

6/2/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
How to Be Your Own Medical Advocate - Deepak Chopra, MD and Rudolph Tanzi, MD

When the average person goes to the doctor, shows up at the ER, or enters the hospital, the possibility of controlling what happens next is minimal. We put ourselves in the hands of the medical machine, which in reality rests upon individual people—doctors, nurses, physician’s assistants, and so on. Human behaviour involves lapses and mistakes, and these get magnified in medical care, where misreading a patient’s chart or failing to notice a specific symptom can be a matter of life and death. The riskiness of high-tech medicine like gene therapy and toxic cancer treatments is dramatically increased because there is a wider range of mistakes the more complex any treatment is. To be fair, doctors do their utmost to save patients who would have been left to die a generation ago, but they are successful only a percentage of the time.


Risk and mistakes go together, but the general public has limited knowledge of the disturbing facts:
  • Medical errors are estimated to cause up to 440,000 deaths per year in U.S. hospitals alone. It is widely believed that this figure could be grossly inaccurate, because countless mistakes go unreported—death reports offer only the immediate cause, and many doctors band together to protect the reputation of their profession.
  • The total direct expense of “adverse events,” as medical mistakes are known, is estimated at hundreds of billions of dollars annually.
  • Indirect expenses such as lost economic productivity from premature death and unnecessary illness exceeds $1 trillion per year.



Statistics barely touch upon the fear involved when any patient thinks about being at the wrong end of a medical mistake. What the patient is all too aware of is the doctor visit that goes by in the blink of an eye. A 2007 analysis of optimal primary-care visits found that they last 16 minutes on average. From 1 to 5 minutes is spent discussing each topic that’s raised. This figure is at the high end of estimates, given that according to other studies, the actual face-to-face time spent with a doctor or other health-care provider comes down to 7 minutes on average. Doctors place the primary blame on increasing demands for them to fill out medical reports and detailed insurance claims. Patients tend to believe that doctors want to cram in as many paying customers as they can, or simply that the patient as a person doesn’t matter very much.


As a result there’s a new movement afoot to provide a personal advocate who stays in the doctor’s office with the patient. The advocate is basically someone who represents the patient’s best interests in any medical situation. The person might be a well-meaning relative who helps an older patient understand what’s going on, or who steps in to do attendant tasks like picking up prescriptions and organising medical bills. But more and more one sees the need for an advocate who is professionally trained to buffer the mounting risks in a health-care system in which less and less time is spent between doctor and patient. 


It would be up to an advocate to find out, and needless to say, this has created hostility from some doctors. Used to ruling their domain with absolute authority, few doctors want an overseer in the room asking questions, inserting their own opinions, and potentially finding fault. At worst, the spectre of a malpractice suit looms. The movement for professional advocates, which is quite young, insists that looking out for a patient’s best interests is benign. The medical profession has its doubts.


The upshot, for now at least, is that patients who want an advocate must play the role themselves. At the heart of the problem is passivity. When we surrender to medical care, whether at the doctor’s office, the ER, or the hospital, we shouldn’t surrender everything. Poking and prodding is intrusive. Undergoing various tests can be stressful. The minute we walk in the door, we become largely anonymous—a walking set of symptoms replaces the person. There are doctors and nurses who take these negative effects seriously and who go out of their way to offer a personal touch. They should be saluted for their humane compassion in a system that focuses more on impersonal efficiency.


You may like your doctor and feel that he cares, but this doesn’t rule out being your own advocate. Quite the opposite—the inherent stress in medical treatment is what you want to counter. First comes the stress of worry and anticipation, what is commonly known as white-coat syndrome. We all remember how afraid we became as children thinking about getting a shot from the school nurse or how scary it was sitting in the dentist’s chair even before the drill was turned on. Studies have verified that anticipating a stressful situation can cause as great a stress response as actually undergoing the stress. In one study, subjects were divided into two groups, one of which gave a public speech while the other was told that they were going to give a speech but actually didn’t. Both groups became stressed out, but the researchers wanted to measure how well they recovered from the stress.


Knowing that you are going to be in a stressful situation, there are a number of ways to feel more in control:
  • Be informed about your illness. Don’t relinquish your opportunity to find out exactly what is wrong with you. This doesn’t mean you should challenge your doctor. If you feel the need to inform your doctor about something you saw online, you aren’t being confrontational, and most doctors are now used to well-informed patients.
  • If the illness isn’t temporary and minor, contact someone else who is going through the same diagnosis and treatment as you. This may involve a support group, of which many exist online, or simply talking to another patient in the waiting room or hospital.
  • If you are facing a protracted illness, become part of a support group, either locally or online.
  • Keep a journal of your health challenge and the progress you are making toward being healed.
  • Seek emotional support from a friend or confidant who is empathic and who wants to help (in other words, don’t lean upon someone who is merely putting up with you).
  • Establish a personal bond with someone who is part of your care—nurses and physician’s assistants are typically more accessible and have more time than doctors. Ideally, this bond should be based on something the two of you share—family, children, hobbies, outside interests—not simply your illness.
  • Resist the temptation to suffer in silence and to go it alone. Isolation brings a false sense of control. What actually works is to maintain a normal life and social contacts as much as possible.



Following these steps will go a long way to achieving the goal of patient advocacy, which is to serve the patient’s best interests at all times. But there remains a difficult unknown, the possibility of a medical error. 


Seeing the doctor involves personal interaction, and it's important to reduce any possible friction. Here are a few pointers:

Do
  • Be involved in your own care.
  • Inform the doctor and nurses that you like to be involved.
  • Ask for extra information when you need it.
  • Ask for a questionable event, like a pill you aren’t sure is the right one, to be checked with the doctor.
  • Tell somebody if you have gone out of your comfort zone.
  • Remain polite in all of the above.
  • Praise the doctor and nurses when it’s called for. A show of gratitude doesn’t go amiss.

Don’t
  • Don’t act hostile, suspicious, or demanding.
  • Don’t challenge the competency of doctors and nurses.
  • Don’t nag or whine, no matter how anxious you are. Reserve these feelings for someone in your family, a friend, or a member of a support group.
  • Don’t pretend you know as much (or more) than the people who are treating you.
  • Don’t, when hospitalized, repeatedly press the call button or run to the nurses’ station.

Trust their routine. Realise that the main reason patients call a nurse is more out of anxiety than out of real need.

Don’t play the part of a victim. Show your caregivers that you are maintaining a normal sense of security, control, and good cheer even under trying circumstances.

Probably the most important finding about medical mistakes is that they are frequently caused by lack of communication. 

In our new book The Healing Self we delve into patient advocacy in more detail as well as covering the expanding role of self-healing, which is going to only become more important in the coming decades. 

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    June 2016

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    8 Limbs Of Yoga
    Abundance
    Acceptance
    Accountability
    Active
    Acupuncture
    Adapt
    Affirmations
    Ageing
    Aging
    Airport Stress
    Alcohol
    Alcoholism
    Alisa Paliano
    Allergies
    Altar
    Anti-inflammation Foods
    Anxiety
    Appreciation
    Archetypes
    Archetypes Of Survival
    Aromatherapy
    Around-the-table Meals
    Art
    Asparagus
    Autumn Eating
    Awareness
    Awe
    Ayurveda
    Ayurveda For Dogs
    Ayurvedic Wisdom
    Bacteria
    Balance
    BBQ Sauce
    Beliefs
    Belly Bloat
    BItterness
    Bloating
    Blueberry Smoothie
    Body And Mind
    Body Mind And Soul
    Boundaries
    Brassica
    Breakdown
    Breakthrough
    Breathing
    Broccoli Cheese Soup
    Brown Fat
    Busy World
    Butternut Squash Soup
    Cabbage
    Calm
    Calories
    Camel's Pose
    Cancer
    Cancer Prevention
    Caregiving
    Carrot Ginger Soup
    Centering Thought
    Chakra
    Chakra Clearing
    Change
    Children
    Child's Pose
    Chlorophyll
    Chocolate Coconut Smoothie
    Christmas
    Christmas Stress
    Circadian Rhythm
    Cleanse
    Coconut
    Coconut Oil
    Coffee
    Coherent Heart
    Colourful Food
    Commuting
    Compassion
    Compassion Meditation
    Confrontation
    Connection
    Consciousness
    Cooking With Tea
    Cook Nourishing Food
    Cook Your Own Food
    Cook Your Own Meals
    Cream Of Broccoli Soup
    Creativity
    Crisis
    Cultivate Spirituality
    Daily Rituals
    Dan Buettner
    Dating
    Debate
    Declutter
    Deconditioning
    Deepak Chopra
    Dehydration
    Depression
    Desire
    Detachment
    Detox
    Dharma
    Diet
    Diet Myth
    Digestion
    Digestive Distress
    Distractions
    Divine Couples
    DIY Sunscreen
    Dogs
    Dosha
    Doshas
    Doubt
    Dreams
    Eating
    Echinacea
    Eggs
    Embrace Helplessness
    Emotional Baggage
    Emotional Health
    Emotions
    Empath
    Empathy
    Equinox
    Essential Oils
    Excuses
    Exercise
    Express Love
    Extra Weight
    Eye Care
    Faith
    Fear
    Feelings
    Feeling Stuck
    Feminine Energy
    Fibre
    Fight Colds
    Financial Success
    First Aid
    Fitness
    Flow
    Flu
    Food
    Foot Massage
    Forgievness
    Forgiveness
    Free Your Energy
    Fresh Start
    Gardening
    Getting Back On Track
    Gift
    Gifting
    Gifts
    Gifts That Give Back
    Ginger Shiitake Noodle Soup
    Ginger Tea
    Giving
    Giving And Receiving
    Goal
    Goals
    God
    Good Fats
    Grace
    Gratitude
    Green Beans With Almonds
    Green Goddess Smoothie
    Green Leafy Vegetables
    Green Powder
    Greens
    Green Vegetables
    Grounding
    Growth
    Gut Health
    Gut Instinct
    Habits
    Happiness
    Healing
    Healing Effects Of Art
    Healing With Sound
    Healing Yoga And Meditation
    Health
    Healthy Eating
    Healthy Fasting
    Healthy Food While Travelling
    Healthy Genes
    Healthy Habits
    Healthy Holiday Desserts
    Healthy Iced Fruit Bars
    Healthy Options
    Heart Chakra
    Heart Disease
    Heart Intelligence
    Heavy Thoughts
    Herbs
    Herbs Hands Healing
    Holding Space
    Holiday
    Holiday Gifts
    Holiday Season
    Holiday Stressors
    Homeopathy
    Humour
    Hydration
    IBS
    Ideas
    Immune System
    Imperfection
    Infinite Possibilities
    Inflamation
    Inner Change
    Inner Child
    Inner Healing
    Inner Peace
    Inner Voice
    Inner World
    Inspiration
    Intention
    Intentions
    Intuition
    Jen Miller
    Jenn Miller
    Jill Davies
    Joint Care
    Journal
    Journalling
    Joy
    Judgement
    Juicing
    Kapha
    Karma
    Katie Pande
    Keep Warm
    Kindness
    Kitchen
    Kleshas
    Kombucha
    Leaky Gut
    Learning From Your Dog
    Life Coach
    Life Expectation
    Life Purpose
    Lifestyle
    Lissa Coffey
    Lists
    Loneliness
    Loss
    Love
    Low Lunge
    Lung Problems
    Lymphatic System
    Madisyn Taylor
    Male And Female Energy
    Manifestation
    Mantra
    Massage
    Meal Planning
    Meal Preparation
    Meaningful Connections
    Meat-free Meals
    Meditation
    Meditation Techniques For Beginners
    Mediterranean Diet
    Mental Baggage
    Mental Health
    Mental Stamina
    Mindful Dating
    Mindful Eating
    Mindfulness
    Mindset
    Minerals
    Minestrone Soup
    Mint
    Moderation
    Mood
    Morning Habits
    Morning Person
    Morning Routine
    Morning Routines
    Motivation
    Moving Forward
    Mudra
    Mullein
    Mushrooms
    Music Therapy
    Natural Allergy Relief
    Natural Remedies
    Natural Skincare
    Natural Sunscreen
    Natural Sweeteners
    Nature
    Negative Behvaiour
    Negative Thoughts
    Neighbours
    Nestmaven
    Neti Pot
    New Year
    New Year's Resolutions
    Non-resitance
    Nutrients In Greens
    Nutrition
    Oneness
    Opportunity
    Organic Food Shopping
    Osteoporosis
    Outdoors
    Outer World
    Pain
    Passion
    Patanjali
    Pattern Interrupt
    Peace
    Perfection
    Petitation
    Pets
    Phtyonutrients
    Piriformis Syndrome
    Pitta Dosha
    Planning
    Plant Foods
    Poetry
    Portion Control
    Positive Habits
    Potato Leek Soup
    Poverty
    Power
    Practical
    Prayer
    Present Moment
    Present Moment Awareness
    Presents
    Priorities
    Probiotics
    Prosperity
    Prostitute
    Protecting Your Skin
    Pure Awareness
    Purpose
    Quiet Time
    Quotes To Start The Day
    Rain
    Ray Long
    Recipes
    Reclining Heart Opener
    Regrets
    Reiki
    Relationship
    Relationships
    Relationship With Food
    Resolutions
    Resting Pose
    Retreat
    Ritual
    Rituals
    Roger Gabriel
    Routine
    Rudolf Tanzi
    Saboteur
    SAD
    Salads
    Samyama
    Seated Forward Bend
    Secret To Living Longer
    Sedentary
    Seeds
    Self-awareness
    Self Care
    Self-Care
    Self Compassion
    Self-compassion
    Self-Enlightenment
    Self Worth
    Service
    Setting Intentions
    Shakshuka
    Shatavari
    Simplify Space
    Six Tastes
    Sleep
    Slow Down
    Smile
    Smoothie
    Social Life
    Social Media
    Soma
    Soul Questions
    Soup
    Soup For Cold Days
    Soups
    Spicy Vegetable Chilli
    Spirituality
    Spiritual Success
    Spiritual Wellbeing
    Spring
    Spring Allergies
    Spring Cleaning
    Spritual Connection
    Square One
    Standing Forward Fold
    Standing Mountain Pose
    Statins
    Staying Focused
    Stress
    Success
    Suffering
    Suhas Kshirsagar
    Summer
    Summer Archetypal Energy
    Summer Smoothies
    Sun
    Super Foods
    Susan Pinker
    Susan Weed
    Susun Weed
    Sweet Potato Casserole With Caramelised Bananas
    Sympathy
    Take Charge
    Talents
    Tea
    Tea As A Spice
    Thanksgiving
    The Blues
    The Five Elements
    The Law Of Karma
    Therapeutic Breast Massage
    The Seven Spiritual Laws Of Success
    The Whole Cur
    Thinking Patterns
    To Do List
    To-Do List
    Tolerance
    Tough Times
    Traditions
    Tragedy
    Transform Your Life
    Transition
    Travel
    True Self
    Trust
    Trust Your Gut
    Uncertainty
    Universe
    US Election
    Vacation
    Values
    Vata
    Vedanta
    Vegan Soup
    Vibrant
    Vibrant Health
    Victim
    Vision Board
    Visualisation
    Vitamin D
    Vitamins
    Weather The Storm
    Weight Control
    Weight Loss Myth
    Weight Management
    White Bean Chilli
    White Fat
    Who Am I
    Wholeness
    Will Power
    Wine
    Winter
    Winter Activities
    Winter Blues
    Winter Hibernation
    Winter Solstice
    Wisdom
    Wise Woman
    Woman
    Worry
    Yin And Yang
    Yoga
    Yoga Anywhere
    Yoga For Sniffles
    Yoga For Stress
    Yoga For Summer
    Yoga Sutra
    Yogic Eye Exercises

Proudly powered by Weebly