Return-Path: <nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.9.3/8.9.0.Beta5/980425bjb) with SMTP id IAA03721; Fri, 25 Feb 2000 08:02:07 -0500 (EST) Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 08:02:07 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <20000225125943.3696.qmail@hotmail.com> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: "Roger Pebody" <roger_pebody@hotmail.com> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-HEALTH:2227] Re: It's a control issue X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed Status: OR There are a couple of very interesting articles in this week's British Medical Journal that address the issue of patient participation and why it is so necessary. It's a theme issue on managing chronic diseases. An editorial argues that in previous times, acute diseases were the primary cause of illness, and patients were inexperienced and passive recipients of care. Now, chronic diseases are more common, and require continuous and complex management that will be ineffective without the active participation of the patient. (http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/320/7234/526) There is also a thought-provoking piece on the skills which asthma patients need to participate in the management of their condition. "Apart from some very basic management strategies that are important for almost all people with asthma, the tasks of management are largely unique to each person. These tasks depend on individual disease characteristics, personal attributes, and aspects of lifestyle considerations, and on the way these change over time. Because asthma management is dynamic, people must develop their own repertoires of effective behavioural strategies and use a decision making process that allows them to change or refine strategies as needed. Furthermore, it is impossible for clinicians to provide direction for every contingency a patient may face, so individuals must exercise a high degree of independent decision making about asthma within their doctor's general guidelines...." (http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/320/7234/572) >From: Marsha Tait <mtait@literacyvolunteers.org> >Reply-To: nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov >To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov> >Subject: [NIFL-HEALTH:2224] Re: It's a control issue >Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 18:33:31 -0500 (EST) > >At a health-related literacy conference held recently in Washington, Dr. >Ruth Parker of the Emory School of Medicine estimated that low literacy >skills result in a loss of more than $73 BILLION per year to the health >care industry. I think that answers the question, "What's in it for the >health professional?" The health care profession has clearly begun to >recognize that low literacy skills cost both the industry and society money >(and lots of it). The challenge, incumbent upon us as adult >education/literacy providers I think, is to begin a dialogue with the >health care industry about partnerships and collaborations that are >mutually beneficial. I am also bothered by the notion that this is an >issue of control. This is an issue of education and meaningful dialogue. > > > >Marsha L. Tait >President >Literacy Volunteers of America, Inc. >635 James St. >Syracuse, NY 13203 >(315) 472-0001 >http:www.literacyvolunteers.org > >-----Original Message----- >From: Dwyoho@aol.com [SMTP:Dwyoho@aol.com] >Sent: Tuesday, February 22, 2000 12:35 PM >To: Multiple recipients of list >Subject: [NIFL-HEALTH:2206] Re: It's a control issue > >In a message dated 02/21/2000 8:08:46 PM Eastern Standard Time, >CPGarzona@aol.com writes: > ><< You're still under the notion that health-care professionals want to >empower > their patients, want them to understand, and want them to participate in > decision making? >> > >The cynicism behind this statement, plus the assertion or implication that >health professionals deliberately obfuscate patient information for >"control", bothers me, and I am not even a health professional. > >Yet, I suppose there could be a grain of truth here. > >I just want to say the essence of health literacy involves building >bridges. >If we assume that health professionals don't want anything to do with this >idea, we are defeated before we ever begin. > >On the other hand, I think a fair question to pose as efforts in this field >grow is "What's in it for the health professional?" > >So far, my experience answers: At the very least, health literacy efforts >are essential to lower the risk of lawsuits and ugly publicity for the >health >community--and insurance companies, pharmaceuticals, etc. > >Comments, anyone? > >Deborah W. Yoho >Chief Executive Officer >Greater Columbia Literacy Council >921 Woodrow Street >Columbia, SC 29205 >803/765-2555 dwyoho@aol.com ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
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