Thursday, March 07, 2013

UK Doctors Adopt Action Plan to Address Obesity in Patients

The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AoMRC) in the UK has published a report called Measuring Up: The Medical Profession's Prescription for the Nation's Obesity Crisis, setting out a 10 point action plan for healthcare professionals aimed at tackling the nation’s obesity crisis.

Professor Terence Stephenson, a paediatrician and Chair of the Academy, said:
“As health professionals, we see it across all our disciplines – from the GP’s surgery to the operating table and everything in between. So it is no exaggeration to say that it is the biggest public health crisis facing the UK today."
The report recognises that some clinicians are ‘insensitive, ineffective, and lack confidence’ when dealing with patients with weight problems, but goes on to point out that part of the problem is doctors do not have the services to refer patients to. Many of the recommendations in the report in fact seem to be calling for external changes directed at the fast food industry and media advertising. This is all well and good but it brings to mind those two most popular words in the english language, "you should".

The BMA comments on the point that doctors themselves need to measure up. The other consideration is that doctors may not want to be seen as 'insulting' their patients, as highlighted by Brian Regan in his comedy sketch below of a visit to the doctor. A stronger emphasis on patient communication skills training for physicians and medical students, would be a good thing! Enjoy the video!



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Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Physician - Patient Etiquette in the Age of EHRs

"Meaningful use of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) involves more than implementing an EHR. It involves interacting with patients and the computer in the exam room in a way that is productive and enhances the interaction between the patient and the physician."
This 10 minute You Tube video called "Physician Exam Room EHR Etiquette", created by Dr. Garber of the Fallon Clinic, explains the LEVEL process created by Kaiser Permanente. The video gives “good doctor” and “bad doctor” examples that physicians and medical students alike can learn and hopefully emulate!
The LEVEL process stands for:
  • LLet the patient look on.
  • E ~ Eye contact.
  • V ~ Value the computer.
  • E ~ Explain what you are doing.
  • L ~ Log off.

Learn even more about "How to communicate well with patients while working on an Electronic Health Record" by reading this report by Pamela Lewis Dolan, from American Medical News, July 23, 2012.


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