"The right knowledge is a game changer. When people have access to evidence-based nutrition and lifestyle medicine education, they are empowered to make informed decisions about their health." T. Colin Campbell, PhD.
A Medscape poll sheds some light on why patients are treated the way they are by some health professionals. The poll ran before and during a panel discussion about patient empowerment at a conference in San Diego, and over 1000 doctors and nurses responded. Nurses by far are more supportive of patient empowerment with 82% responding that it was helpful, while only 54% of doctors said that it was.
Doctors and nurses agreed that often patients can have very different ideas about what patient empowerment is, but most doctors chose these two definitions most:
- “Patient asks about pros and cons of treatment options and drug side effects”
- “Patient takes an active role in deciding which treatment or drug or therapy is most useful for them”
One of the reasons why so many doctors are not fond of patients who take more control of their health is that 92% say that this adds time to the office visit, often beyond the time allotted. This is a legitimate concern that can only be resolved by spending more time with patients. There is no opportunity to talk about anything during the typical 15-minute appointment.
While the nurses were more encouraging than doctors, a significant percentage of both groups specifically indicated that their patients should not be empowered; 53% of doctors, and 46% of nurses. However, and this is often the case, being a patient can change someone’s mind quickly. A former nurse who is now a patient replied in this role she can see the need for patients to advocate for themselves, reporting that she caught an error in her own care as a result of her diligence.
Decisions about medical care are very personal and quite important, and the suggestion by a significant percentage of health professionals that taking an interest in one’s health and being proactive in decision-making is annoying goes beyond the pale and represents the ultimate in poor customer service. Patients are customers of the healthcare system, and they deserve at least the same amount of respect that they expect to receive when dining in restaurants, buying cars and houses, and planning vacations – other situations in which they are considered customers.
How do you feel about the importance of being an empowered and an informed consumer? Do you want to learn more about prioritizing your health? Joining the Food Over Medicine Club and becoming a member of Wellness Forum Health are two great ways to start.
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