clinical question

[Joan Z]

So, what kind of success has anyone had with "lifestyle changes" when dealing with initial diagnoses of things like elevated BP, cholesterol, etc?

One of the docs I work with almost NEVER recommends these as "most people won't do them". The other doc will recommend them IF the patient asks, or will suggest them in addition to a pharm intervention...

Just curious--I am really big on people taking responsibility for themselves!

Joan

[DaisyRN, ACNP]

you know i was reading this more than a few of my patient's noncompliance issues are related to money (lack of)... choices of one or two but not all: pay the rent, eat or buy my medicines. what they eat, how they work, their very life is sometimes shaped by finances or lack of... always a hard part for me to remember...

i worked with a group that was mixed hospitalist / nephrology and some of the clientele it was very hard to determine noncompliance by choice or noncompliance by necessity... finances, literacy, nationality and more than a few times religion have thrown big curve balls into medical planning....

you know, this is a very good point. i have found that in talking with my patients and gaining their trust (as trauma mentioned), that many of them just simply cannot afford the medicines, do not understand how to take it, do not know why they take it, etc. yet another area where we can excel. i cannot tell you how many times i have gone through the $4 rx list and changed my patients medications (if cardiac)... and highlighted the ones to ask their pcps about to help save money. i also remind them that the pack of cigarettes they buy every day can cost $5/pack... and that's a whole month's supply of medicine to help their bp/heart or whatever. it's a matter of perspective.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

I have never heard a MD or DO say "yeah, I'm too fat too, but I'm working on it."

Mine have, about several things: weight, healthful diet, and smoking among them.