Although regulators and payers influence many of the actions surrounding patient care, particularly in the hospital, the unadvertised and underused driving force for positive change comes from these important groups: These groups are . . . Patients & Families Clinicians Employers Their power comes from shared goals. (1)They want to achieve good outcomes from the care that is rendered. (2) They seek to prevent harm and (3) control unnecessary costs that are associated with medical mistakes, such as healthcare acquired infections. This is called “patient-centric” care. … [Read more...]
The 21st Century Patient
Welcome to my blog: 21st Century Patients. I hope to provoke critical thinking, and some discussion, on what it means to be a patient today. The culture of patient care is changing from “follow the rules as we prescribe them” to one that reflects the rapid pace of increasing knowledge that demands we think and act as partners with patients and families. This partnership is the basis of shared decision-making for the patient’s plan of care. An Outdated Approach We will explore the implications (and dangers) of holding on to the outdated idea that a “good patient” takes everything at … [Read more...]