Today is National Health Care Decisions
Day. This is a reminder to get your affairs in order while you still have
the brain to do so. But I wonder – do most people really have a clue how to
make their end of life decisions? Could this be why two thirds of our
population has not completed any advance directives? This needs to change.
Currently, much medicine is practiced paternalistically. Doctor tells you
what to do, you go home and do it. Or not. Studies
in the poorest of nations show that when the patient is empowered, outcomes
and patient satisfaction with treatment are significantly better. In chronic
illness, and especially end of life illness, patient empowerment is one of the
last considerations when it should be the primary step in patient care. Focusing on patient
goals first instead of the patient’s illness improves care and decreases
cost of care.
more...
http://www.forbes.com/sites/carolynmcclanahan/2012/04/16/can-patients-make-good-decisions/
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