The following article is a well thought out and articulated approach to the shifting of demands on the practitioner to that of the patient. It also addresses the fact that patients labeled as non-compliant often may simply be overwhelmed. The stigma attached to the concept of noncompliance often infers that the patient is willingly making a conscious choice to be noncompliant. Where in reality, the patient may simply not have the knowledge, expertise, or resources to manage what has been thrust upon them.
We all, regardless of whether we are a provider, a patient, or a caregiver, must be cognizant of the shifting responsibilities being placed on patients and their caregivers. While I am wholeheartedly in favor of patients being an active partner in their own healthcare, they are unknowingly assuming more and more responsibilities. In the process of the responsibility shift, the patients are getting less and less time with their actual practitioners, leaving them with more questions as to their own care.
See the original video and transcript from NEJM Catalyst here. It is worth the ten minutes to become aware of how our healthcare system has evolved. It doesn’t matter whether you feel these changes are positive or negative, they are here. By arming yourself with the knowledge, hopefully, you can help prevent you or someone you know / love from falling victim to being overwhelmed.
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