Implementation of a Communication Tool Kit - Research Paper Example

Implementation of a Communication Tool Kit To Enhance Communication Between Healthcare Providers and Patients Abstract Implementing a effective communication tool kit in order to improve the communication gap between the healthcare providers and patients is a matter of concern in present scenario. This approach is needed to improve the patient compliance, awareness regarding the treatment procedures so that better decision making can be done by patients in consideration of cost-effective therapy. On the other hand physicians feel satisfied in delivering proper message for the treatment to the patients. Keywords: communication tool kit, healthcare providers, patients Implementation of a Communication Tool Kit To Enhance Communication Between Healthcare Providers and Patients Advanced technologies in the present scenario had increased awareness related to health problems. One of the concerns in this is in the improvement in implementation of knowledge regarding the existing and emerging new medicines and methodologies among healthcare providers and patients. For the purpose it is important to improve or reduce the communication gap between healthcare providers such as physicians and patients. This will be beneficial for both physicians as well patient in improving the medical practice. Physician learns how to deliver bad news such as suffering from cancer to a patient, understanding the emotions of patient, helping them regarding decision-making such as signing an informed consent for a clinical trail. On the other hand the patient feels comfortable and understands the treatment strategies with confidence. The protocol as discussed by Stephanie, Anthony, Susan, and Susan (2002) is depicted in the Table 1. As reported in a publication Elliot et al (2006) a study was conducted by the American College of Physicians Foundation (ACPF) and the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM) from 2002-2005 regarding implementation of Information Prescription (or "Information Rx") Program. According this study internet with proper health websites can be a useful tool for improving communication between physician and patient. In this the ACPF and NLM recommended the physicians to encourage patients to visit the evidence based and health informative website MedlinePlus.gov. The physicians were provided with Information Prescription (or "Information Rx") pads. These pads were used to provide the information regarding the website the patient should visit in order to get clarity about the treatment apart from the regular prescription. In the protocol the promotional materials kit that was mailed to physicians of the American College of Physicians (ACP) as per the two project pilot states of Iowa and Georgia. The contained the Information Prescription (or "Information Rx") pads along with supplementation of room posters and bookmarks for the waiting room. Two comprehensive evaluations were done the first one included the survey of pre and post-intervention Information Rx mail, performing telephonic interviews and using web log analyses. The second comprehensive evaluation included non-random selection of ninety-two physicians by ACP foundation to encourage the practices for the use and visit of website MedlinePlus.gov. It was concluded from the study that physician and patient communication gap was improved with use of Information Rx pads. The physicians found that MedlinePlus is a useful website in promoting the patients self efficacy, understanding the treatment procedures, believing on the physician more and reduced the time needed to spend to patients by a physician. On the other hand the patients were able make better health decisions, able to communicate and understand the treatments and concept regarding the disease. In other study as suggested by Bauer (2010) Probability-Utility Model was studied as a model for improving communication between healthcare providers and patients. The model demonstrates the patients to make decisions, utilization and cost benefit from available evidence based practice. Thus the model helps in making patients to make a better decision for opting the best available methods with satisfaction of cost. Also, the video images are used to make the patient aware of the choices. Thus, Probability-Utility Model was found to be a useful communication tool in bridging the gap between the physician and patients. According to Sisler and McCormack-Speak (2009) there is a poor correlation between the system of working between cancer patients and physicians. For the purpose The Uniting Primary Care and Oncology (UPCON) Network of CancerCare Manitoba was created 12 primary care clinics in Winnipeg, Man. They were provided with the assessment of electronic medical record for cancer, lead physicians to make aware from the local cancer resource and providing the information to UPCON. Thus, this strategy was found to improve the awareness regarding the patient care for cancer patients and improving the role of family physicians. In a study by Akkad, Jackson, Kenyon, Dixon-Woods, Taub, and Habiba (2004) the informed consent filled up by the women's undergoing fetal medical surgery was found to be suitable for improving the communication gap. It included use of The Iowa Model which consisted of following: 1. Focus on problem - either can lead clinicians to question practice and determination of relevance to the organization. 2. Assembling the pertinent research and related literature 3. Critizing and synthesizing the literature 4. Determining if sufficient research to guide practice 5. If yes, making the practice change 6. If no, designing research study or base practice on other type of evidence 7. Evaluating quality of care and new knowledge 8. Disseminating results Results obtained were satisfaction from the informed consent and helping by physician to make decision for fetal maternal surgery. Evidence based practice model according to Rosswurm and Larrabee (1999) includes theoretical and research literature related to evidence-based practice, use of research utilization and changes in the theory of practice. Rosswurm and Larrabee have defined a systematic process of six steps consisting of: 1. Assessing- assessing a need for change in practice. 2. Linking-linking the defined problem with the help of interventions and outcomes. 3. Synthesizing- providing framework for combining best evidence in literature and using a structured critique worksheet that rates the quality of the evidence. 4. Designing- designing for a change in practice based on evidence collected. 5. Implementing and evaluating- implementing and evaluating the process and outcomes for the process. 6. Integrating and maintaining- the integration of the evidence-based standard into practice Thus the above were some of the communication tools which are implicated in recent times in order to improve the communication gap and building bridges between the healthcare providers and patients. These approaches need further elaboration and consideration in order to implement a rational practice of medicine in our society. . References Stephanie, J. L., Anthony L. B., Susan D. B., & Susan K. S. (2002) Enhancing Physician-Patient Communication. American Society of Hematology, 464-483. Elliot, R. S., Robert, A. L., Robert, L. H., Kathleen, C., Jean, A. K., Becky, L., et al. (2006) Information Rx: Evaluation of a new informatics tool for physicians, patients, and libraries. Information Services & Use, 26, 1-10. Bauer, J. G. Probability-Utility Model for Managing Evidence-based Central Database. The Open Dentistry Journal, 4, 61-66. Sisler, J., McCormack-Speak, P. (2009) Bridging the gap between primary care and the cancer system: the UPCON Network of CancerCare Manitoba. Canadian Family Physician. 55, 273-278. Akkad, A., Jackson, C., Kenyon, S., Dixon-Woods, M., Taub, N., Habiba, M. (2004) Informed consent for elective and emergency surgery: Questionnaire study. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology. 111,1133-1138. Mary, A. R. & June, H.L. (1999) A model for change to evidence-based practice. Journal of Nursing Scholarship. 31, 317-322. Table 1 Approach for delivering bad news to patients by physicians Approaches Phrases Preparation of physician for the encounter by intimating the patient in advance on phone. "Is there anyone you would want to have present when we talk" Assessing the patients understanding regarding the curiousness for the problem. "How much do you understand about what is going on medically" Disclosure of the news by making them understanding regarding the disease. "The bone marrow shows a kind of cancer of blood cells, and the medical name for this condition is acute myeloid leukemia." Responding the patient and providing emotional support. "I can see that this information is not what you expected." Discussing about the treatment options or prognosis of the disease. "Would you like to talk more about treatment options and quality-of- life issues now, or should we schedule more time in a couple of days" Talking to others and summarizing the discussion Maintaining a record of discussion with patient Read More