One of the most important keys to a successful hospital outcome is your ability to work effectively with your medical team. To receive the best health care possible, you must establish a "partnership" with your physician and other members of your health care team.
Studies tell us that patients, who communicate effectively with their physician, actually recover more quickly from an illness. Research also suggests that patients who take a more active role in visits with their physician may have a greater sense of control and better health outcomes.
Identify Your Medical Team
Following your admission to a hospital, you will begin to meet various members of your medical team. This may consist of several physicians, nurses, dietician, pharmacist, therapists and case manager. Embrace the process of relationship building.
Partnership with your medical team is a key component to your recovery. You must invest the time and energy teaching your team members what you want, expect and need. By doing so, you are telling the medical community you want to be an active member of your own interdisciplinary team.
Review Plan of Care with Medical Team
Once you have met with all members of your care team, it will be important to carefully review your plan of care which each discipline. A patient plan of care provides a roadmap to guide your medical team. A care plan is developed to ensure you receive appropriate treatment and have a positive outcome.
Remember, you can't hit a target you can't see. Be sure to discuss your care plan and goals with each member of your health care team. Each and every time you communicate with your team, you will promote care coordination. This team approach will help avoid fragmentation of care and keep everyone focused on your individual plan of care.
Remain Involved in Your Hospital Discharge Plan
A very important element of your patient plan of care that is essential to a successful outcome involves each and every member of your health care team. This element is known as your discharge plan. Your discharge from the hospital must be professionally planned and organized for you to have a successful outcome.
Seek clear information about your discharge from each member of your medical team. It's been shown, that patients who received detailed, discharge instructions, are 30% less likely to be readmitted to the hospital or visit the emergency room than uniformed patients.
Getting to know and partner with your medical team will set the tone of all of your hospital medical encounters. Your goal should be to develop a bond with your medical team who will in turn become much more vested in your success.
