We are currently having a discussion in a course that I teach, that I’m finding fascinating. The discussion is on group vs. individual diabetes education (funny I just blogged about this on Friday). We have two students who work in diabetes education programs that are offered to patients at no cost, which is somewhat unheard of in the U.S. health care system.
We talked about whether paying something toward the class(es) – and perhaps getting the money back upon completion – would increase the value. And/or would it entice people to complete all the classes? Then the point was made that we need to shift the value to health itself, and not money. And how do we go about doing that?
Our health care system is slowly, but surely, evolving. As changes take place, there is a critical need for all of us to put a greater value on our health. To me that looks like partnerships.
As people with diabetes, we can partner with our health care providers to seek and receive the best care possible. By investing in our health, we get the best return!
As health care professionals, we can connect with our patients, help them figure out what motivates them and what brings value to them in terms of their health. We care about our patients and want them to have the best health outcomes. At the same time we need to remember that we are simply facilitators – it’s not about us.
By creating partnerships between patients and providers, we can identify the value and make it possible.