The Communication Toolkit

Even the Doctors Agree: Why Everyone’s Talking about “Choosing Wisely”

Lise Rybowski — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:39:04 +0000

The big health care news last month was the American Board of Internal Medicine’s announcement of a new campaign called “Choosing Wisely,” which aims to help both doctors and patients question the use of tests and procedures that aren’t always appropriate or helpful. So far, nine specialty groups have each released lists of five things that doctors and patients should question, like the use of antibiotics for sinusitis and imaging tests for headaches. More recommendations are expected in the… read more

More Engaged=Better Quality Care

Pam Dardess — Tue, 08 May 2012 12:52:49 +0000

New research bolsters the argument that engaged patients fare better. A recent study published in the Journal of Ambulatory Care Management found that, across the world, patients with complex health care needs who are actively engaged in their care report fewer medical errors, higher care ratings, and more positive views of the health system as a whole.

What does it mean to be actively engaged? As we discussed in a recent blog post, patients who are engaged participate fully… read more

Helping Employees Be Engaged in Their Health and Health Care

Pam Dardess — Tue, 01 May 2012 14:16:56 +0000

“I know of no other profession where people would feel free to tell me how to do my job.” This was my physician’s response to a discussion I initiated about my treatment preferences.

Does the responsibility for my health really lie only in my physician’s hands? The short answer is no.

The benefits of being an active, engaged patient are enormous. As an engaged patient, I am more likely to have better health outcomes, experience fewer medical errors, and express… read more

Navigating the Internet: Finding credible health information in a sea of options

Pam Dardess — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 15:32:19 +0000

Last spring, my daughter was having problems with allergies. On her pediatrician’s advice, she started taking an over-the-counter allergy medication. About a week later, we noticed definite behavior changes – she was unusually weepy, sensitive, and very easily upset. A friend of mine reported that her son had the same symptoms while taking this medication. So I went searching on the Internet. I typed in the name of the medication and “behavior changes in children.” I found numerous entries linking… read more

What Do Health Care Costs Have To Do With My Take-Home Pay?

Lise Rybowski — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 14:36:41 +0000

We’re all aware of the skyrocketing costs of health care – but not everyone realizes how those rising costs affect us financially. The truth is that everyone with employer-based health insurance shares the burden of increases in health care costs, even if we haven’t used any health care services.

We pay directly through annual increases in our premiums – and, if we are using health care, through higher deductibles and copayments. We also pay indirectly because our employers have to… read more

Our Employers and Our Health Coverage: We Don’t Know What We Don’t Know

Lise Rybowski — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 20:50:25 +0000

When I got a new job at a big corporation, I took a cursory glance at the information I was given about health insurance and filled out the forms without much thought. I vaguely understood that some money was withheld from my paycheck each month to pay for insurance and that I’d have to pay something each time I needed care or filled a prescription. It never even occurred to me that my employer was picking up most of the… read more