Vim & Vigor - Fall 2012 - Parrish Medical Center - (Page 50)

Ask and You Shall Receive S tudies have shown that low health literacy—the inability to read and understand health information—affects more than 90 million Americans. In fact, most people need help understanding healthcare information, regardless of their reading level. Think about when you take your dog or cat to the veterinarian. You probably ask the staff lots of questions, right? “How long will Fido need to be on this medication?” “What can I do to make sure Fluffy swallows her pill?” “What should I do to care for Spot’s stitches?” You ask questions because your pet is important to you. Now, what about the last time you went to the doctor, or you or a loved one was in the hospital? Did you ask your doctor or nurse many questions? Did you understand what they were saying to you about your condition or medications? And if you didn’t understand, did you ask someone to explain it to you again? Aren’t you and your good health as important as your pet? By AlexAndrA Gutierrez, r.n., BSn, ChAir, PMC PAtient eduCAtion CoMMittee Three questions to help you and your care partners better understand your health ask me 3 What can you do to make sure you understand what your healthcare team has told you and, just as important, what is expected of you once you go home? Learn to “Ask Me 3.” Ask Me 3 is a program designed to help promote shared information between healthcare providers and patients. Originally developed by the National Patient Safety Foundation’s Partnership for Clear Health Communication, Ask Me 3 teaches staff members to encourage patients to ask their providers three essential questions so they will understand their illnesses better and any other concerns they may have. Talk To Your HealTHcare Team You might be a little intimidated by your doctors. After all, they spent eight or more years in higher education. They have to be pretty smart to complete medical school, internships, residencies and fellowships, right? So, in your mind, these doctors and nurses, who are highly educated and highly trained, have all the medical answers and shouldn’t be questioned. You may also go in with fixed notions about what is wrong or what should be done for you, based on past experiences or what you’ve heard from family and friends. “My Aunt Sally had this exact same symptom and this is what was done for her.” You may not really hear what your healthcare professional is telling you, because you already know what they’re going to say—at least you think you do. Or you might not want to take up too much of their time because you know how busy they are. Or they might use medical terms you aren’t familiar with. 1 2 3 What is my main problem? What is really wrong? Do I have a bad heart or is it something else? You may have more than one health issue. Diabetes often leads to heart problems, but diabetes may still be the main concern. For example, when you get home from the hospital, when you pick up your prescription or when you go for therapy. Make sure you know exactly what is expected of you after you’ve talked to your healthcare team. THe quesTions are: What do i need to do? Why is it important for me to do this? If you don’t understand what your main problem is and don’t know what you need to do, you won’t understand why it is important for you to follow the doctor’s orders once you’re on your own or a family member is caring for you. Using these three simple questions can help you recover better, and keep you from returning to the doctor’s office or be readmitted to the hospital for the same health issue. 50 Vim & Vigor • FALL 2 012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Fall 2012 - Parrish Medical Center

Vim & Vigor - Fall 2012 - Parrish Medical Center
Contents
Tasty Tips
Opening Thoughts
Community Calendar
Cardiopulmonary Connection
PMC Nurses Honored During National Nurses Week
30 Days to Better Sleep
I Can’t Ask My Doctor That!
He Said, She Said
Hold On to Your Health
STILL A SCREENING STAR
Your Joints: An Owner’s Manual
Weighing Your Options
No Greater Gift
Weather Alert
Virtual Health
Inherent Beauty
Ask and You Shall Receive
Community Health
Foundation Focus
Ask the Expert

Vim & Vigor - Fall 2012 - Parrish Medical Center