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Dr Georgianna Donadio, PhD
13 Articles; 92 Posts
According to research studies conducted at the University of Washington Medical School, there are four primary questions that all clients or patients want answered by the person they see for their health care or for health related consultations. There are variations on these questions in different circumstances and practices, however, they are all derived from the most basic need we as human beings have in our relationships and particularly with our health care professionals. The four questions are as follows:
“Are you listening to me?”
This is a critical question every client or patient wants answered in their partnership with whatever type of health care professional they are working with. Mindful, respectful listening, which commits your total presence and attention to another individual, is the most powerful gift we as health professionals can give to our clients. This form of human intimacy, valuing another so that our self-awareness falls away and we become egoless in their presence, is a healing and transformational experience for both client and professional.
“Can you explain to me how and why this is happening to me (my body or mind)?”
The great value of incorporating into your practice or work evidence-based, integrative and demystified health information is that it answers this question. For instance, you can explain to a client that processed carbohydrates are five carbon molecules which elicit insulin secretion to break down the five carbon structure.
They are chemically unlike fruits, sweet vegetables or sprouted grains that are six carbon molecules. These six carbon structures do not require the elicitation of insulin for them to be utilized in the Krebs energy cycle. (Calvin cycle – photosynthesis). This knowledge transforms an individual’s understanding from a theory about nutrition to an organic chemistry reality which explains why and how processed foods affect their body. More importantly, this information gives your client powerful tools and knowledge to make sustainable lifestyle changes.
“Do you care about what I know about my own body and health concerns?”
What they are really asking is – “Do you care about, and will you respect, what I know about the problem I live with 24/7?” As a nurse or any other health care, advocacy or counseling professional, we must always listen to and respect the person sitting before us as the foremost expert on their health condition. They may not be able to articulate the “how” and “why” of their conditions, but when provided some facilitation to fully remember all that they know, they may be better able to make appropriate changes to craft a long and healthy life.
“Can you explain to me how I can control my symptoms?”
Controlling a condition or its symptoms is often more important to an individual than “curing” the problem. This is especially true with older adults who are more concerned with avoiding the disability or pain of a chronic condition.
This is why the field of patient health education, through providing a clear understanding of how all aspects of an individual’s life may influence any given health condition, is an important addition to any health professional’s skill set. Assisting an individual to understand what they can do to take control over their symptoms and discomfort, and to create a greater sense of ease and control over their condition and/or symptoms, is of the utmost importance.
In a recent study, conducted by Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine (see attached study), the utilization of a communication and patient education model, Behavioral Engagement with Pure Presence, led to 28.5 - 33% increase in both patient and physician satisfaction.
As demonstrated in number two and four of the above questions, patients are looking for information as well as active, respectful listening in order to discern the choices they may or may not elect to make for their own self-care. Not providing appropriate presence, mindful listening and, demystified evidence-based health information withholds the tools our clients, as well as ourselves, need to truly take control of our health destiny, is a disservice to those we serve.
Value-care, the measure of reimbursement for medical services, now recognizes that disease prevention and effective patient health education are both critical in reducing the epidemic of chronic disease in our culture.
IJMB_Vol_9_1_Clipper (1).pdf