According to one study, a New Year’s Day resolution to change or establish a habit may not really take hold
until mid-March, even for people fully committed to their resolutions.
But, for individuals who are contending with weight, fitness, or substance use
issues—and begin the year with the determination to change their behavior—the
odds of maintaining that commitment into February are dismaying.
Nevertheless, finding ways to help your patients persevere could also help reduce the risk of diagnostic, treatment, or medication-related errors.
The health care rendered to patients involved in medical malpractice claims and suits is often complicated by the patient’s co-morbidities. Health conditions
that are not the primary focus of the medical services being challenged may, however, have influenced both the patients’ and providers’ thought processes.
In addition, patients with a range of health issues are likely to have more complex care scenarios: more interactions with multiple providers in diffuse settings. Each added encounter, provider, setting, and treatment regimen
increases the risk of gaps in a patient’s health care coordination and miscommunication—two of the leading components noted in allegations of substandard care.
It’s a motivation gap, not a knowledge gap.
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Encouraging patients to fulfill their resolutions now can help them avoid future complications.
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Top 5 New Year’s Resolutions1
percent of US Population
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eat healthier
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37%
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get more exercise
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37%
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get more sleep
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24%
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read more
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18%
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make new friends
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15%
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1. Source: YouGov
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Top 5 Co-morbidities2
percent of patients
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cardiovascular disease
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13%
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hypertension
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13%
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obesity
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11%
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smoking
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11%
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diabetes
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9%
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2.
For patients involved in high-severity injury-related medical malpractice cases.
Source: National Comparative Benchmarking System, CRICO
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Not surprisingly, the co-morbidities most commonly noted in malpractice cases
(see Table) are among the most common health issues across the entire patient
population. They are also conditions that often can be modified via lifestyle
changes (eating better, exercising, smoking cessation, etc.). Alas, patients
frequently opt
not to follow such recommendations, much to the frustration—often
exasperation—of clinicians trying to guide patients toward better health.
But many of those unhealthy patients do indeed vow to ring out their bad habits
and ring in some good ones… particularly on New Year’s Day. At the beginning of
every January, millions of Americans initiate health-related behavior
modifications: promising to eat better, exercise more, quit smoking, etc. And
they back it up by signing up, gearing up, and cutting down.
Unfortunately, by Groundhog Day, the majority of enthusiastic individuals
will have abandoned their New Year’s Day resolutions.
Getting to mid-March is not easy, especially when noticeable results aren’t
immediate. Self-motivation is hard to sustain, your well-intentioned patients
are more likely to keep their eye on the prize (and their feet on the
treadmill) if they have specific health-related goals, and support from
family members, peers, and caregivers. For those who persevere, the benefits
may be much greater than a gym membership.
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