Week 6 Reflection
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School
American Military University *
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501
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Health Science
Date
Feb 20, 2024
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docx
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4
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Reflection Week 6 - Empowering Patients
Name
American Military University
HCAD501 Technology Application in Healthcare Organizations Dr. Barbara Cliff
December 14, 2023
Finding and evaluating trusted online resources is paramount to patient education about their health. In contrast, information such as the who, what, when, where, and why are helpful to help vet online resources; it is imperative for patients to be provided a platform where they can share their healthcare story, thus providing information to other patient that might be going through similar health concerns. The evolution of patient engagement in healthcare decision-
making has proven to have significant benefits; patients who actively participate in their healthcare decision-making often report "higher levels of satisfaction with their care; have increased knowledge about conditions, tests, and treatment; have more realistic expectations about benefits and harms; and are more likely to adhere to screening, diagnostic, or treatment plans;" (Krist et al., 2020)
Patients’ engagement in their healthcare presents numerous benefits. When patients become more involved in their health, they can make more informed decisions about their care; thus, engaged patients are more likely to follow through with their treatment plans and actively manage their health. It is also paramount to highlight that patient engagement often improves health outcomes, enhances patient satisfaction, and reduces healthcare costs. When patients communicate effectively with their healthcare providers and feel empowered to take control of their health, they may experience greater peace of mind and overall well-being. When patients feel empowered and involved in their healthcare decision-making and process, they are more likely to take an active role in managing their health and making informed
decisions about their healthcare. These can lead to several benefits, including but not limited to better health outcomes, improved patient satisfaction, and reduced healthcare costs. Empowered patients are also more likely to communicate effectively with their healthcare providers, leading
to more accurate diagnoses and more effective treatment plans. Overall, empowering patients can
help promote better health and well-being for individuals and communities.
While patient engagement and involvement in their healthcare present numerous benefits there are also potential downfall to be mindful of; often patients may lack the medical knowledge
necessary to make informed decisions about their care and in many cases, patients may also have
unrealistic expectations about their treatment options or outcomes, leading to disappointment or frustration in their healthcare plans and health outcome. Moreover, increased patient engagement
may require more time and resources from healthcare providers, which could lead to higher healthcare costs; in addition, patients may feel overwhelmed or stressed by the responsibility of managing their own health, particularly if they are dealing with a chronic or complex medical condition.
Engaging and empowering patients present serval benefits to patient outcomes and overall patient satisfaction; it is, however, paramount to provide adequate and valid resources to patients and their loved ones to help enable patients to make informed decisions about their care, thus promoting patients and healthcare professionals collaboration and improving patient experience.
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References
Krist, A. H., Tong, S. T., Aycock, R. A., & Longo, D. R. (2020a, February 3). Engaging patients in decision-making and behavior change to promote prevention. Studies in health technology and informatics. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6996004/#:~:text=Patients%20who
%20participate%20in%20their,treatment%20plans%3B%20have%20reduced
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