We cross many thresholds in our health journeys: before the diagnosis / after the diagnosis; outside the office / inside the office; before the pain / after the pain; having enough money / having too little money; before being cared by xxx / being cared by xxx; in control / less control; before taking the drug / taking the drug; before surgery / after surgery; walking fine / problem walking; living here / living there, etc. etc. Thresholds of sensations, function, location, relationships, power, information. Disorienting and bewildering – at least unsettling, sometimes devastating. And that ‘s just for us e-patients. What about our family, caregivers, and the professionals in and associated with our team? A veritable ripple of thresholds. Read More
According the Informed Medical Decisions Foundation shared decision making (SDM) is a collaborative process that allows patients and their providers to make health care decisions together, taking into account the best scientific evidence available, as well as the patient’s values and preferences. March is Shared Decision Making month.
I have written extensively about the relationships and behavior among a person’s health team as it impacts the course and experience of the health journey. The team – patient, caregivers, clinicians, loved ones, and helpers – set goals, research options, select treatment, share information, coordinate, celebrate, grieve, and wait together. Shared decision making is part of team work. Read More