Is Increased Patient Engagement a Health Risk?
QHHL 
May 31 2018
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0 QHHL
Health care is changing. Not so long ago, doctors were seen as authority figures, with the right to direct and determine everything about the care of their patients. But this old model is rapidly becoming outmoded. Today, the level of patient engagement in health care is more important than ever before. Patients are expected to make their own health decisions, with some guidance from their doctor. This allows for greater patient autonomy, but it may have some negative consequences as well. This change is also fundamentally changing the health care system and how it operates.
The old model of health care had very clear roles. The doctor was the authority, with all the knowledge and training. In contrast, the patient had very little understanding and required guidance and assistance. Because of this lack of understanding as well as their illness, the patient was vulnerable. They needed the help and guidance their doctor offered. This made the doctor patient relationship very paternalistic. The doctor made decisions and the patient obeyed, often without really understanding what was happening. But this is rapidly changing.
There are a number of reasons for this change, with one of them being access to information. But the end result is that patients have greater control over their medical treatment and options than ever before. This increase in the level of patient engagement has resulted in a new medical model. It’s called the shared decision making model, and it’s just like it sounds. More often than not, doctors now engage with patients to make shared decisions about treatment options. This may have a number of benefits for doctors and for patients, but there could be some negative consequences as well.
Patients can enjoy a number of benefits from the shared decision making model. These benefits include:
Although there are a number of benefits of increased patient engagement, there are drawbacks as well. The most important drawback is the difference between the doctor’s level of understanding and the patient’s. No matter how well informed a patient is, they will rarely if ever understand medicine as well as a doctor does. Doctors have medical knowledge and experience that patients can never match. And their decisions are informed by this understanding, so they can and should carry more weight. As a result, the doctor’s role must be to convince patients that their decision is the correct one. This can take time, and even erode the rapport between the patient and doctor.
Another concern with this model is its effects on the patient outcome. It’s not clear if greater patient engagement generates better results as this usually depends on the patient. Some patients prefer to be more involved with their care and health assessment activities. But others find the tests and the responsibilities of this model frightening and intimidating. They don’t want an in-depth understanding of the test results and its implications. The technicalities and processes just frighten them and add more stress to an already stressful situation. This can affect their willingness to actively participate in medical decision making and impact their outcomes.
Greater patient engagement also has legal ramifications. Patients obviously have the right to be informed about their medical choices. But who has the right to actually make a medical decision, particularly if the doctor and patient are at odds? For instance, if a healthy and informed patient wants further medical testing, does the doctor have the right to stop them? This may seem like a fairly harmless situation, but some medical tests carry serious health risks. Patients may not fully understand those risks, but doctors will. Their decisions in these cases could carry long term consequences for everyone involved. Unfortunately, the uncertainties surrounding this type of situation aren’t easily resolved. Only time will tell if the benefits of this new model outweigh the drawbacks.
Only time will tell if increased patient engagement is beneficial or not. The only thing that’s clear is that patients must take a more active role in their health. This means understanding the health risk of particular lifestyle choices and performing health assessment activities. When a patient engages with their health in this way it provides more information on their health status. And this deeper understanding can help both the patient and the doctor make better health choices.
If you want to take better control of your health, try our health assessment tool HomeLab. It will help you keep track of your condition, your health risk, and the results of any changes you make to your lifestyle.
Tags: Health risk, patient engagement, health assessment