Patient Education Puts Public Awareness Into Health Choices

By Ines Brennan


Humans share the reality of mortality and consequently, each complex, physically-vulnerable body experiences illness during its lifespan. But, scientific research and technology has advanced medical awareness in disease prevention, better diagnostics, treatments and cures, now made known globally via multimedia accessibility. Today, the evolution of medicine and technology brings hope through knowledge. Bringing patient education to the masses gives the populace vital information relevant to the prevention of some illnesses and management of those yet beyond human control.

In the past it was said that 'a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.' Doctors were trained to be authoritative in their dealings with patients. Today, health awareness has revolutionized the practice of medicine, with physicians welcoming a participatory partnership with informed patient involvement and responsibility for personalized health and care. Relaying health information is a joint endeavor provided by professionals from the medical community, advocacy groups, health agencies and the government that serves to keep the public apprised of illness prevention, treatment options, pharmaceuticals and all that is new on the horizon of cutting-edge medical innovations.

Arming consumers with 'what is known' in the medical field regarding disease prevention measures, tests, treatments and medications for specific illnesses, serves to demystify the unnecessary fear that surrounded medicine in the past. Enlightenment empowers consumers and improves health care through awareness that welcomes proactive patient involvement, responsibility and self-advocacy.

Clarity from the health-care community promotes public trust and confidence, fostering compliance during care, better outcomes with fewer complications during treatment and the ability to accept responsibility by making informed choices for themselves. Educated awareness embraces openness, allowing confident, patient-involved decisions that includes interdependence in a working doctor/patient relationship.

At some point in everyone's life, illness is a factor. Today, patient education is responsible for publicizing the fact that MRR, chickenpox and bacterial meningitis can be prevented by vaccines. Keeping the public in the loop through educational information integrates personal, proactive choices in the management of chronic illnesses, such as, allergies, diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune diseases and HIV.

Medical awareness serves the public with multimedia updates on new findings that connect lifestyle practices with the propensity for acquiring certain illnesses, as a means of proactive prevention. Providing the link between tobacco use and premature deaths, obesity and heart disease, melanoma and sun exposure, STDs and unprotected sex, puts risk control and health into the hands of those who need to know.

Sharing medical breakthroughs can produce a profoundly positive impact on the quality of life for those who suffer from chronic conditions, such as asthma, migraines, diabetes, and autoimmune diseases. Today, that information is readily available, courtesy of the medical community, government and advocacy websites.

At some point in every life, health issues must be addressed. Only with awareness are all of the options on the table. Information brings the power of enlightenment through a multidisciplinary task force of health professionals, dedicated to providing the public with invaluable resources of wellness via patient education. Personal well-being depends on having up-to-the-minute, all-inclusive information that saves lives and gives individuals the option of choices that makes each day the best it can be.




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