Education
We have all heard the phrase "knowledge is power". This is especially true when it comes to our health. The more we begin to understand the basics of the healthcare system and become more aware of our personal health state, we as patients will become better equipped to access the right information and make informed decisions.
The European Patients Forum defines education as a patient's ability to make informed decisions about their health. The ability to make informed decisions comes from being aware of our "health, wellness status, and disease state" as well as taking an active role to be part of the larger community of health. (World Health Organization).
What We Ought to Know
Part of being educated is understanding not only our rights as patients but also our responsibilities. EMedicineHealth defines our rights as patients as the "basic rule of conduct between patients and medical caregivers as well as the institutions and people that support them". Said simply, they are the standard for care and quality that we, as patients, have access to and are protected by. Not only do we as patients have rights, but there are also responsibilities. Brookings Health System sums up the responsibilities as follows:
Defining Education
The European Patients Forum defines education as a patient's ability to make informed decisions about their health. The ability to make informed decisions comes from being aware of our "health, wellness status, and disease state" as well as taking an active role to be part of the larger community of health. (World Health Organization).
What We Ought to Know
Part of being educated is understanding not only our rights as patients but also our responsibilities. EMedicineHealth defines our rights as patients as the "basic rule of conduct between patients and medical caregivers as well as the institutions and people that support them". Said simply, they are the standard for care and quality that we, as patients, have access to and are protected by. Not only do we as patients have rights, but there are also responsibilities. Brookings Health System sums up the responsibilities as follows:
- Provide, to the best of his/her knowledge, accurate and complete information about the present complaint, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, and other health matters.
- Report unexpected changes in his/her condition to the responsible caregiver.
- Make it known whether he/she clearly understands a course of action regarding medical care, and in what ways he/she is expected to cooperate
- Follow the treatment plan agreed upon with his/her primary healthcare professional. This includes following instructions of other healthcare providers as they carry out the orders of the primary healthcare professional and enforce hospital rules and regulations.
- Keep appointments with the responsible practitioner and whenever unable to do so, to notify him or her.
It is important for us as patients to be aware of our responsibilities and take the necessary steps to be well-informed ready to collaborate with their caregiver to coordinate the best plan of care.
Comments
Post a Comment