TECH ON THE PATIENT END
While staying current is of the utmost importance to docs, patients aren’t off the hook. Physicians agree that those on the receiving end need to be their own advocates. Baron, calling patients an “important part of the health care team”, said that they should be actively involved in the decision process.
Luckily for patients, there is some tech for them too. The Choosing Wisely Campaign from the American Board of Internal Medicine equips patients with the tools to share the driver’s seat.
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Partnered with Consumer Reports, Choosing Wisely lets patients search through a number of health specialties and procedures. You can look very specifically for anything from the recs for low back pain treatment to the most recent suggestions for prostrate screening.
And looking up the most recent data should be a priority before any appointment. Through this campaign, medical specialty societies have identified more than 470 tests and treatments they say are potentially wasteful and could cause harm. By accessing Choosing Wisely before an appointment, patients can educate themselves and ask questions, Baron said. Common tests and treatments to inquire about are antibiotics, imaging, and annual exams, Baron said.
Yang also tries to keep patients involved in the decision process, adding that UpToDate offers patient-friendly printable handouts sans medical jargon.