Lecture 9 - Communication Skills

Technological Ways of Communication in Health Professionals and Patients Prepared by: Dr. Sally Abouelfetouh  These advances enhance the knowledge of providers, patients, and families. Information technological innovations in health care almost always alter, at least to so...

Technological Ways of Communication in Health Professionals and Patients Prepared by: Dr. Sally Abouelfetouh  These advances enhance the knowledge of providers, patients, and families. Information technological innovations in health care almost always alter, at least to some degree, the ways health professionals communicate with patients and their families and with each other. Importance Patients’ access to health care. of technology in HC Data gathering and assessment. Care delivery. Evaluation of the efficacy of treatment. The role of communication for patients and health provider 1. Enhance or deter the formation of a working relationship and trust among patients, families, and providers; 2. Influence what clinical data is obtained and consequently what data is available to assess and manage health conditions and corresponding care; 3. Impact how and to what degree medical regimens are understood; 4. Provide more data to care beyond the initial patient–provider alliance. Electronic Health Records There are three types of electronic record keeping to be aware of: electronic medical recorders (EMRs), electronic health recorders (EHRs), and personal health records (PHRs).  Medical record (EMR) health Personal (EHR) (EPR) Electronic records Electronic medical records (EMRs) Were actually the first system put in place by clinicians For storing information about a patient’s diagnosis and treatment seen in their medical practice. they contained the standard medical and clinical data gathered in one provider’s office, only in one provider’s office. Electronic health records (EHRs) Now the most utilized method to store and transmit patient health care information. Include a more comprehensive health care history. They are digital health care information databases that are stored, potentially throughout the patient’s lifetime to support continuity of patient care. Personal health records (PHRs) Bear some similarities to EHRs but are different from both EHRs and EMRs. Is an electronic application used by patients to store and manage their own health information. Patients themselves setup, access, and edit their PHRs. PHRs can include comprehensive information about the patient’s health or issues related to the patient’s health and welfare, entered by the patient or even someone helping the patient (e.g., a close friend or family member). Patient Portals Is defined as “a secure online website that gives patients convenient 24-hour access to personal health information from anywhere with an Internet connection.” m-Health (Mobile Health) The use of devices to collect and transmit health information, frequently with the use of health-related applications (apps). Examples: fitness trackers, heart rate or asthma and diabetes monitoring. m-Health apps are frequently used by persons with chronic diseases (diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease) to self- manage their complex treatment plan. Telemedicine Processes of exchanging medical information from one site to another via electronic communications with the goal of improving a patient’s clinical health status. Supporting devices to assist in the assessment and treatment process include two-way videos, email, smartphones, and wireless tools. Some physicians stated that they had limited Internet skills and attributed this to being too busy. Patients’ Needs for Guidance in Using Internet Information The document Healthy People 2010 (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2000) recognizes the importance of patient–provider communication and the value of the Internet to facilitate access to a wide array of health information and health-related support services, and the extension of health communication.  While there are several sources of information on the Internet, health care providers need to guide patients and their families on the use of this information. Caution is important in the use of any website information that does not appear to be official or reliable.  it is important for health professionals to ask patients about what they have read, how they are understanding this information, and even give them additional and more reliable resources to answer their questions.  Even if the provider disagrees with the information the patient has found on the Internet, there is still the feeling that the provider is taking the information seriously—and this improves patients’ satisfaction with the interaction. When the patient was more assertive and used a less face- threatening approach, the provider was more likely to engage them in positive dialogue. Patient-provider relationship with internet searching platform Do’s Don’ts Show interest in the content and source Dismiss an invitation to discuss Internet of the information. information as invalid. Interpret their use of Internet Interpret the gesture as a direct threat information as a positive attempt to to your authority or medical judgment. engage in more informative conversations. Direct patients to sources of good- Refer patients to medical sites that the quality consumer health information, provider has not personally reviewed including health-related Internet sites both for content and ease of comprehension for the patient. Do’s Don’ts Instruct the patient about how to do his Assume that the quality of Internet or her own evaluation of the quality of data is at least acceptable; the quality the Internet information. of information on the Internet is quite variable. Be aware that patients may be using Assume that the patient is using the aspects of online interactive sites to Internet solely to gain information and gain support and/or to obtain that this seeking is directly related to information for a friend or family their own health or condition. member Patients’ Use of Support Group Activities on the Internet There is another kind of information rather than the medical website Patients and their families that have similar interests of disease or illness These interactive communication options include chat rooms, discussion groups, support groups, and email exchanges.  Patients and families may be arming themselves with information not so much to challenge the provider’s assessment, but to cope with and manage their condition and to prepare themselves to communicate with health providers in ways that will more fully answer their questions. Thank You