With the coming of Healthcare Decisions Day, I thought it would be nice to share how I help empower my patients to make thoughtful decisions about their own health. While it’s not always easy, I feel like it is very important to make sure your patient is properly educated about the topic at hand. This can be done through printed material or a simple explanation. Only then can they make an informed decision. It is also important that the patient understands all of the options available, so they do not feel trapped in a corner when it comes to their health. The healthcare provider should ensure that this is a conversation and not just a time to preach at your patient. Make sure that questions are welcomed to dismiss any confusion, and have the patient tell you in their own words what they understand is going to happen. This will ensure that we are all on the same page. While these tools may seem
The healthcare provider should ensure that this is a conversation and not just a time to preach at your patient. Make sure that questions are welcomed to dismiss any confusion, and have the patient tell you in their own words what they understand is going to happen. This will ensure that we are all on the same page. While these tools may seem time-consuming, they are very necessary when providing excellent care.
