The topic of how healthcare workers should respond to the digital revolution in health is a hot topic. We have written tons of articles about the topic, including The 7 Must-Haves for the Doctor Of the 21st Century or 5 AI Tools that Could Help Build a Medical Practice and The Impact Of The Digital Health Technologies on The Future Of Medical Specialties. Not to mention the 6 potential medical use cases for ChatGPT. These are only a few of the many posts on the topic. Information on how to become “digital patient”, however, is hard to find.
We decided to make it a bit easier and put together a list. These eight tips will help you to become empowered patients and impress your doctors with 21st century skills.
1. Do you want to be involved in your care?
Digital health is not about using gadgets. It’s – as I have repeated a million times – the cultural transformation that transforms the patient-doctor hierarchy to a partnership. You are responsible for your own health and you must actively participate in your care.
It is clear that even the most qualified doctors and the most advanced healthcare systems won’t care as much about your health as you do. While they will do their best to help, you are the most important stakeholder. You can have the best contractor or the most skilled professional, but they will not care as much about your budget/money as you. Trust them and work with them. However, it is important to understand the financial implications of all major decisions so that you can make the best decisions for yourself.
The same applies to your health. You can’t just throw your hands in the air and expect the healthcare system or doctors to solve your problems. You can become a 21st century patient by taking an active part in your care and becoming a member the care team. Participation is all you need. Ask relevant questions and use (the right) online resources and technologies to get there.
2. Know your resources
The worst piece of advice you could get is “Just don’t Google it.” It is essential that you Google it. It is important to understand how different sources work and which sites you should trust. Ask your doctor for recommendations and which ones to avoid.
A patient who is empowered can recognize credible medical information. Always search for information where the Impressum can be found, where it is validated and verified by healthcare professionals, and where contact information can be found.
Peer-to peer information, such as forums and social media channels on health topics, can be dangerous. However we must also note that they can be very valuable in certain cases. A patient group for rare conditions can provide valuable and relevant information that you might not be able to find quickly for yourself or from your doctor. Patients are not willing to share it with you. They understand the difficulties of other patients or what information they might need to live with a condition.
3. Only measure data that is necessary for a specific purpose
As 21st century patients, we aren’t using digital health technology because it is cool. When you first start using a device, make sure you understand what it can do for you.
If you don’t use the data to improve your exercise routine, a fitness tracker is nothing more than a high-priced quartz watch. If you don’t acknowledge your chronic under-rested status, then your sleep sensor is useless. If you don’t adapt your lifestyle to the findings of your microbiome assessment, then they are nothing more than digital waste.
4. Be aware of your genetic drug sensitivities
DNA drug sensitivity tests (or pharmacogenetic/pharmacogenomic testing if you’d like a fancier name for the same thing) will inform you how your genes affect your body’s response to medications.
These tests are used to determine if a medication is an effective treatment or if you may have side effects.
Your physician will be impressed by your personality and sensitive nature. This knowledge can help you choose the right drugs for you.
5. Enjoy your partnership
Empowered patients realize that doctors can’t be all things to all people and aren’t omnipotent. It is possible to share the responsibility with them. This takes a lot off their shoulders. You can also enjoy it when your doctor takes you in as a peer into the medical team.
To find solutions together, you need to seek guidance and partner.
6. Understanding the limitations of AI
In 2023, a digital patient will not only Google but also chat with ChatGPT about their medical issues. They also know the limitations of artificial intelligence, large language models, and will report their findings to their doctors accordingly.
Large language models can perform zillions upon tasks and have the ability to interact with a variety of topics. Their “brains” can be used to write emails, discover creative ideas, and gain general knowledge about almost everything. You can also use them to generate python code, create complex excel formulas, or write love poems, essays, or generate python code.
But, once you begin to experiment with them, you’ll quickly discover their limitations. You are unlikely to have a deep understanding of a particular condition. This is the first problem with health issues. Although the algorithm can explain basic diabetes concepts in a clear and accurate manner, it cannot answer specific questions.
Second, and perhaps most importantly, we need to realize that large language models may not actually understand what they are saying. They are able to access billions or billions of carefully curated sources material. They were trained well “to make sense” and sort it and then present it. They don’t think the same way as humans, and their intelligence is still zero.
ChatGPT or other models can come up with incorrect conclusions. It’s possible.
7. Own your health records
Be the information king in your own health and you will be empowered to become a patient. Find out where your medical records are. You can manage the information that you have at your home, whether it is on paper or digital. If you are looking for this information, know where and what to search.
This is easier in certain countries that have unified medical records, which are available online to patients. It’s also easier in other countries where information might be scattered across multiple institutions. No matter where you are located, no matter what your options, it is important to have the best possible control over your health data.
8. It is impossible to keep up the pace of information evolution
In the last decade, medical knowledge has grown at an incredible rate. It took 50 years for the figure to double in 1950. To double it took only 3.5 years. Now, medical knowledge doubles every day for 73 days.
This pace is impossible for a human being to keep up with. Your doctor will be several hundred years behind if they read two scientific articles each evening about their field. While the AI revolution will benefit doctors in this area – I believe algorithms will soon be able to summarise the relevant new knowledge for their specialty – we need to be realistic.
It’s impossible for your doctor to know everything. Patients have unprecedented access to high-quality medical information. Scientific databases are online, and we have the motivation that no one else has for solving our health problems.
Ask for help and guidance about where and how you can learn. It is possible to find new, important scientific information that your doctor has not heard of in 2023. Although you won’t be able to match the medical knowledge of a doctor, you can learn a lot about niche topics that interest you.
The Medical Futurist published 8 ways to impress your doctor in digital health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why would people with cancer choose to use other methods?
Cancer patients face many difficulties as they try to cope with their illness. They may have lost all hope or feel helpless as there is nothing they can do. Some patients may feel nausea, pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, weakness, or other symptoms.
In addition, most conventional treatments are not effective against cancer cells. Patients with cancer should look into alternative treatments, such as complementary medicine. A majority of cancer patients will use alternative medications at least once during treatment according to research.
Patients with cancer may choose to receive complementary medicine rather than chemotherapy. They believe that it is easier to manage side effects. Also, they may prefer it because it costs less.
Other reasons include the following:
Some patients believe natural remedies could prevent a return of the disease.
Many people believe natural remedies are a way to improve your quality of life.
Others believe that natural remedies can reduce the risk of getting cancer again.
For those concerned about possible side effects of chemotherapy, natural remedies can be used as first-line therapy.
What is the difference between holistic medicine and traditional medicine?
Traditional medicine focuses on treating symptoms, while holistic medicine treats the whole person. Holistic medicine considers the patient as an entire person, rather than focusing on one aspect.
Traditional medicine treats specific organs and systems, such as the brain. Holistic medicine examines the whole body from the inside. It also examines the effects of lifestyle choices on overall wellbeing.
What is Alternative Medicine, and how can it help you?
This approach to healing focuses on prevention and not treatment. It encourages people to be informed consumers and actively participate in improving their health.
Alternative medicine is any method of diagnosis and treatment that doesn’t use conventional (allopathic) medical methods.
What is holistic medicine’s opposite?
Holistic medicine refers to a holistic approach to health care. It considers all aspects and their emotional, spiritual, and environmental dimensions. Holistic medicine is based upon the belief that all illnesses must have multiple causes. Therefore, it requires a combination treatment to maximize effectiveness.
Holistic medicine physicians believe prevention is better then cure. They partner with patients to achieve optimal wellness.
They seek to identify underlying causes of disease and prevent it from recurring. Holistic doctors consider the whole body and not just the individual organs. They sometimes refer to “the whole body” as the entirety of their being.
They treat the whole body, not just the skin. The doctor may suggest changes to diet, lifestyle, and exercise. The doctor may recommend meditation, yoga, massage, acupuncture or chiropractic treatment.
Statistics
- According to the World Health Organization, 80% of people use herbal medicine worldwide. (webmd.com)
- The use of alternative medicine in the US has increased, with a 50 percent increase in expenditures and a 25 percent increase in the use of alternative therapies between 1990 and 1997 in America. (en.wikipedia.org)
- An assessment of conventional treatments found that 41.3% concluded positive or possibly positive effects, 20% concluded no effect, 8.1% concluded net harmful effects, and 21.3% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
- According to a 2005 book by a US [116]Institute of Medicine panel, the number of RCTs focused on CAM has risen dramatically. (en.wikipedia.org)
- These studies found that 38.4% concluded positive or possibly positive effects for CAM (12.4%), 4.8% concluded no effect, 0.7% concluded harmful effects, and 56.6% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
liebertpub.com
- Games for Health Journal
- The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine – A systematic review of randomized controlled trials involving acupuncture for insomnia treatment
nccih.nih.gov
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- BIOFEEDBACK TRAINING & TENSION-TYPE HEADADACHE – PubMed
- PubMed: Randomized controlled trial examining the effects of foot reflexology on hospital anxiety and depression in female older adults.
doi.org
How To
What are the qualities of a qualified holistic physician?
How do I find a good holistic physician?
Doctors who specialize in their chosen field are the best. Holistic medicine is what we are referring too. Doctors must be able to treat patients holistically. This includes treating the whole person and not just the symptoms. It is important for doctors to understand holistic health. This is why holistic doctors are so valuable.
The doctor should be able to understand holistic health as well as complementary and alternative therapies (CAM), such chiropractic care, massage therapy, and acupuncture.
Holistic health professionals should be able diagnose your condition and present the various treatment options to help you make informed decisions about your treatment options.
Also, ask if the doctor holds certifications from professional associations such as the American Holistic Medical Association and the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork. NBOHMCA offers certification in many areas including naturopathic medicine and acupuncture, homeopathy as well as clinical nutrition, herbal therapy, aromatherapy, and clinical nutrition.
If you are looking for a holistic practitioner in your area, check out our directory. If there isn’t one listed, you may be able to search online for a holistic doctor near you.
For holistic healthcare, please contact your nearest hospital or medical center.
For books and other resources about holistic health, you can visit your local library.
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This blog is a source of general information and discussion on health and related topics. Information and materials on this blog, on the website, or in any of the connected materials are not intended to replace or used as a substitute for the advice of a medical professional, diagnosis, or treatment. This blog does not represent the application of any nursing, medical or other health professional advice or diagnosis. We are unable to diagnose health conditions, offer second opinions or provide specific treatment recommendations via this blog or on our website.
If you or another person is suffering from a medical issue and you are concerned, consult your doctor or seek out other medical professional treatment as soon as possible. Do not disregard medical advice from a professional or delay seeking it due to information you seen on the blog or website or in any of the linked materials. If you’re experiencing an emergency medical situation, dial 911 or seek emergency medical assistance on the closest phone immediately.
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By: Andrea Koncz
Title: 8 Ways To Impress Your Doctor In Digital Health
Sourced From: medicalfuturist.com/8-ways-to-impress-your-doctor-in-digital-health
Published Date: Tue, 07 Mar 2023 09:00:00 +0000
Frequently Asked Questions
Why would people with cancer choose to use other methods?
Cancer patients face many difficulties as they try to cope with their illness. They may have lost all hope or feel helpless as there is nothing they can do. Some patients may feel nausea, pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, weakness, or other symptoms.
In addition, most conventional treatments are not effective against cancer cells. Patients with cancer should look into alternative treatments, such as complementary medicine. A majority of cancer patients will use alternative medications at least once during treatment according to research.
Patients with cancer may choose to receive complementary medicine rather than chemotherapy. They believe that it is easier to manage side effects. Also, they may prefer it because it costs less.
Other reasons include the following:
Some patients believe natural remedies could prevent a return of the disease.
Many people believe natural remedies are a way to improve your quality of life.
Others believe that natural remedies can reduce the risk of getting cancer again.
For those concerned about possible side effects of chemotherapy, natural remedies can be used as first-line therapy.
What is the difference between holistic medicine and traditional medicine?
Traditional medicine focuses on treating symptoms, while holistic medicine treats the whole person. Holistic medicine considers the patient as an entire person, rather than focusing on one aspect.
Traditional medicine treats specific organs and systems, such as the brain. Holistic medicine examines the whole body from the inside. It also examines the effects of lifestyle choices on overall wellbeing.
What is Alternative Medicine, and how can it help you?
This approach to healing focuses on prevention and not treatment. It encourages people to be informed consumers and actively participate in improving their health.
Alternative medicine is any method of diagnosis and treatment that doesn’t use conventional (allopathic) medical methods.
What is holistic medicine’s opposite?
Holistic medicine refers to a holistic approach to health care. It considers all aspects and their emotional, spiritual, and environmental dimensions. Holistic medicine is based upon the belief that all illnesses must have multiple causes. Therefore, it requires a combination treatment to maximize effectiveness.
Holistic medicine physicians believe prevention is better then cure. They partner with patients to achieve optimal wellness.
They seek to identify underlying causes of disease and prevent it from recurring. Holistic doctors consider the whole body and not just the individual organs. They sometimes refer to “the whole body” as the entirety of their being.
They treat the whole body, not just the skin. The doctor may suggest changes to diet, lifestyle, and exercise. The doctor may recommend meditation, yoga, massage, acupuncture or chiropractic treatment.
Statistics
- According to the World Health Organization, 80% of people use herbal medicine worldwide. (webmd.com)
- The use of alternative medicine in the US has increased, with a 50 percent increase in expenditures and a 25 percent increase in the use of alternative therapies between 1990 and 1997 in America. (en.wikipedia.org)
- An assessment of conventional treatments found that 41.3% concluded positive or possibly positive effects, 20% concluded no effect, 8.1% concluded net harmful effects, and 21.3% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
- According to a 2005 book by a US [116]Institute of Medicine panel, the number of RCTs focused on CAM has risen dramatically. (en.wikipedia.org)
- These studies found that 38.4% concluded positive or possibly positive effects for CAM (12.4%), 4.8% concluded no effect, 0.7% concluded harmful effects, and 56.6% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
liebertpub.com
- Games for Health Journal
- The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine – A systematic review of randomized controlled trials involving acupuncture for insomnia treatment
nccih.nih.gov
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- BIOFEEDBACK TRAINING & TENSION-TYPE HEADADACHE – PubMed
- PubMed: Randomized controlled trial examining the effects of foot reflexology on hospital anxiety and depression in female older adults.
doi.org
How To
What are the qualities of a qualified holistic physician?
How do I find a good holistic physician?
Doctors who specialize in their chosen field are the best. Holistic medicine is what we are referring too. Doctors must be able to treat patients holistically. This includes treating the whole person and not just the symptoms. It is important for doctors to understand holistic health. This is why holistic doctors are so valuable.
The doctor should be able to understand holistic health as well as complementary and alternative therapies (CAM), such chiropractic care, massage therapy, and acupuncture.
Holistic health professionals should be able diagnose your condition and present the various treatment options to help you make informed decisions about your treatment options.
Also, ask if the doctor holds certifications from professional associations such as the American Holistic Medical Association and the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork. NBOHMCA offers certification in many areas including naturopathic medicine and acupuncture, homeopathy as well as clinical nutrition, herbal therapy, aromatherapy, and clinical nutrition.
If you are looking for a holistic practitioner in your area, check out our directory. If there isn’t one listed, you may be able to search online for a holistic doctor near you.
For holistic healthcare, please contact your nearest hospital or medical center.
For books and other resources about holistic health, you can visit your local library.
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