Getting Patients to Take Charge of Their Health

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/12/getting-patients-to-take-charge-of-their-health/

The above article states, “By taking an active role in their care, patients could be healthier, clinicians would feel more gratified, and even health care costs would decrease, as there would presumably be less need for additional services outside the doctor’s office.”

I completely prescribe to this philosophy in my physical therapy practice.  Education is the key first step.  When patients fully understand what is going on with their bodies they begin to listen to their bodies and make necessary changes to aide their recovery and prevention.  Home exercises are another way that physical therapists help patients take charge of their dysfunctions.  Once ownership and understanding exists and the practitioner and patient share their goals for treatment, recovery is achieved more effectively and efficiently.