Re: Benefits of cancer screening take years to appreciate
Yesterday’s news that women at high genetic risk of breast cancer will soon have a new treatment option available to them highlights the need for an integrated healthcare model to improve the way in which individuals with or at risk of such long term conditions are managed.
While the availability of preventative drugs as an alternative to mastectomy is welcome news on many fronts, it may not necessarily be the desired care choice for every woman. The additional care option will therefore need to be carefully considered on an individual, case-by-case basis and steps taken to make sure that:
a. patients understand all the nuances involved in their care options and can chose their care pathway from as informed a perspective as possible; and
b. the health care professionals providing that care are aware of that the individual patient’s life style choices.
At a national level, tools to assist shared decision-making between patients and clinicians are being developed by Totally Health and implemented as part of the QIPP Right Care programme – and are, at present, providing patients with vital information across key diseases areas. Although this provides a powerful platform to nurture informed patients, it is widely recognised that, individuals diagnosed with long-term conditions commonly require ongoing support as they seek to adapt their lifestyles. Health coaching, therefore, is emerging as a valuable integrated adjunct to shared decision-making that can help patients manage long-term conditions.
Health coaching has been shown to motivate patients towards a readiness to change unhelpful thinking patterns. It can facilitate patients’ confidence and skills in self-management, and help them prepare for consultations, proactively consider treatment options and encourage behavioural change. Moreover, with patients conscious that consultation time with their GP is limited, health coaching provides a valuable opportunity for individuals to discuss the longer-term management and implications of their condition with a trained health practitioner – and proactively manage their disease.
Yesterday’s announcement is another step forward in empowering women at genetic high risk of breast cancer, providing them additional choice and greater ability to control their individual care. It is therefore critical that the support tools and services are likewise in place to support these care options.
Rapid Response:
Re: Benefits of cancer screening take years to appreciate
Yesterday’s news that women at high genetic risk of breast cancer will soon have a new treatment option available to them highlights the need for an integrated healthcare model to improve the way in which individuals with or at risk of such long term conditions are managed.
While the availability of preventative drugs as an alternative to mastectomy is welcome news on many fronts, it may not necessarily be the desired care choice for every woman. The additional care option will therefore need to be carefully considered on an individual, case-by-case basis and steps taken to make sure that:
a. patients understand all the nuances involved in their care options and can chose their care pathway from as informed a perspective as possible; and
b. the health care professionals providing that care are aware of that the individual patient’s life style choices.
At a national level, tools to assist shared decision-making between patients and clinicians are being developed by Totally Health and implemented as part of the QIPP Right Care programme – and are, at present, providing patients with vital information across key diseases areas. Although this provides a powerful platform to nurture informed patients, it is widely recognised that, individuals diagnosed with long-term conditions commonly require ongoing support as they seek to adapt their lifestyles. Health coaching, therefore, is emerging as a valuable integrated adjunct to shared decision-making that can help patients manage long-term conditions.
Health coaching has been shown to motivate patients towards a readiness to change unhelpful thinking patterns. It can facilitate patients’ confidence and skills in self-management, and help them prepare for consultations, proactively consider treatment options and encourage behavioural change. Moreover, with patients conscious that consultation time with their GP is limited, health coaching provides a valuable opportunity for individuals to discuss the longer-term management and implications of their condition with a trained health practitioner – and proactively manage their disease.
Yesterday’s announcement is another step forward in empowering women at genetic high risk of breast cancer, providing them additional choice and greater ability to control their individual care. It is therefore critical that the support tools and services are likewise in place to support these care options.
Wendy Lawrence,
Managing Director,
Totally Health,
www.totallyhealth.com
Competing interests: No competing interests