“Patient-Centered Care” is a beautiful term cropping up repeatedly in medical journals, papers and blogs. The term indicates an enormous shift in patient care for the 21st century medicine. Today, “Patient-centered care is a quality benchmark actively sought by medical care professionals.”
Compassionate physicians, such as those at FLASS deliver care with dignity and involve their patients in the wellness process through good communication.”
What “Patient-Centered Care” Means
When care is patient-centered, the patient is treated with respect. At the heart of patient-centered values is the belief that a patient is capable of making informed decisions concerning their care in partnership with the health care provider.
At Florida Lung, Asthma and Sleep Studies, we like to say that we offered patient-centered care before it was “cool” to do so! This is a very new concept when compared to the old-school traditional relationship shared by doctors and patients. About the historical model of the relationship between doctors and patients, Dr. Alabi has stated, “This paternalistic model of medicine, in which patients have little voice in their care, has evolved into a model in which patients and physicians work in partnership toward the common goal of improved care and reduction of medical errors.”
This is largely because of the personal philosophy of the founder of FLASS, Dr. Fortune /Alabi, FCCP, MBA. Fundamental to his policy is the compassionate understanding that a patient has the right to express needs and preferences in their treatment plan. The patient’s part in this method of care is reciprocal; he or she actively participates in their health care behavior and communication.
How To Be A Responsible, Involved, Engaged Patient
Thus, Patient Responsibility is an important part of the cycle of Patient Centered Care. Not only does Patient Centered Care provide patient satisfaction, but the Patient Responsibility part of the cycle helps prevent medication errors.
This hot topic was recently addressed by Dr. Alabi in an article he wrote for CMD Magazine, Spring-Summer Issue 2015, entitled Patient Responsibility In the Prevention of Medical Errors.
The patient involved in this cycle engages in certain, specific behaviors enumerated by Dr. Alabi. Below are five keys of useful patients who want to learn to improve their engagement in their own care.
Answer our Florida Lung, Asthma and Sleep Study Patient Engagement Quiz questions and follow Dr. Alabi’s eleven keys to lessen the probability that you will become a victim of a medication error at any medical establishment.
The FLASS Patient-Centered Quiz and Keys!
1. Did you tell your doctor(s) about your pills? “Make sure that all your doctors know about every medicine you are taking.”
2. Do you have your medicine with you? Prescriptions and dosages might require checking! Dr. Alabi puts it simply, saying “Bring all of your medicine and supplements to your doctor’s office.”
3. Why and when? “Make sure you know why you are taking all your medicine, and check during every visit if the medicine is still needed.”
4. How many specialists do you have? Dr. Alabi states, “Ask your doctor to share their office notes with all the clinicians that you are currently seeing.”
5. Do you take patient’s notes? Dr. Alabi advises, “Bring your notepad and write down your diagnosis and treatment plan.”
Watch the next blog for five more questions and keys to discover more ways to engage in your own health care.