Chapter 7
Challenges to Patients
Maintaining Wellness
• Preventive Medicine
• Depends on individual
• Stage of overall health
Losses of an Inpatient
• Depends on extent of illness
• admission to hospital can/will disrupt life
• impact socially and economically
Other Losses Associated w/ being
a Patient
• Loss of self image
• Losses associated w/ institution - home,
privacy
• Loss of Independence
Out- Patients
• Many patients classify
• may be perceived as being not as sick
• may feel less important than an inpatient
Losses and Privileges of being a
Patient
• Society accommodates sick people - to an
extent
• privileges are granted in order for pateint to
get well
• some patients will take responsibility for
illness -bravery
• Some choose to remain a patient - but could
recover
• reasons: escape, financial gain, social gain
• Malingering - hypochondriac
Response to Malingering
• respectful
• always believe patient - unless you can
prove otherwise
• counseling/ referral
Chapter 8
Respect for Patients Personal
Relationships
Inability to sustain important
relationships during illness
• lack of interest
• dealing with the situation - changes due to
illness
• uncertainty about future - recovery
Other issues related to
relationships
• Family caregivers - stress, anxiety, social
issues
• stigma - certain illnesses
• change of values - old vs new
• religious values and practices
Paying for Care
• High cost of health care - insurance, HMO,
PPO etc.
• patients are very educated
• you are patient advocate - be proactive
• educate your-self
Chapter 9
The Patient’s Story
Language Used
• Patients vs. HCP
• must be able to understand what patient is
trying to tell you
• medical record - chart, medical language terminology