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 KAA06406; Fri, 25 Feb 2000 10:21:35 -0500 (EST) Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 10:21:35 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <3.0.6.32.20000225101111.007b6c00@longwood.lwc.edu> 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: Beth Poore-Bowman <sahec@longwood.lwc.edu> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-HEALTH:2228] Re: It's a control issue X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Light Version 3.0.6 (32) Status: OR At 08:01 AM 2/25/00 -0500, you wrote: >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. Thanks for this followup. As a clinician in practice my main task is to form a partnership with my clients that promote that client's health. I work with many asthma patients for whom information is a primary component of treatment. If I am unsuccessful in communicating the information they need to make informed decisions and to make behavioral changes, treatment cannot succeed. Patients who are highly motivated, literate and have access to computers can get tons of information that they can use to help them make decisions. These patients can read the JAMA editorial/study/whatever for themselves by going on line and getting it. Those who do not have these resources depend on me to know and transmit information. My constant effort is to sort through the changes in treatment, drugs, etc and to help my clients use information to make good decisions. This does give me an element of control over what information the client has but I don't see anyway around that. I am paid to know what the treatment options are, the potential risks and benifits of treatment and to make recommendations. This is an enormous responsibility and one that clinicians do not take lightly. Our constant challenge is to communicate better so that clients can make good decisions, follow treatment plans, save themselves and the system money and live healthier lives. Beth Poore-Bowman, RN, FNP Nurse Practioner, Longwood Student Health Services Phone: (804) 395-2102 Email: BBowman@Longwood.lwc.edu Health Educator, Southside Area Health Education Center (SAHEC) Phone: (804) 395-2863 Fax: (804) 395-2864 Email: SAHEC@Longwood.lwc.edu Longwood College 201 High St. Farmville, VA 23909
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