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Clearly, since
the name of our organization is C&S Patient Education Foundation, we believe
that patient education is of primary, critical importance. While this
is especially true for Chiari, since it is not widely known, a recent survey
sponsored by the Commonwealth Fund revealed even more reasons to be an
educated patient.
Adults who had
recently been hospitalized, had surgery, or had health problems were
surveyed by phone between March and June, 2005. It was a global
survey, which took place in the US, UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and
Germany.
Amazingly, in the
US, 34% of the people reported at least one medical error. Error types
included mistakes in treatment, wrong medication or dose, incorrect test
results, or delays in receiving abnormal results. Interestingly, 60%
said the errors occurred outside of the hospital setting. Error rates
for the other countries ranged from 22% (UK) to 30% (Canada).
The survey also
found that:
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the number of
patient reported mistakes increased markedly as the number of physicians
seen increased
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most patients
(61%-83%) said they were not told about the mistakes
-
one-sixth
reported they would have liked to be more involved in decisions about their
care
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1/3 of
respondents in the US said that test results were not available at
appointment times or that doctors duplicated tests
-
more than 25%,
world-wide, said that risks were not completely explained during their
hospital stay
-
world-wide, up to
25% of patients reported physicians only sometimes, rarely, or never made
the goals of care and treatment clear
These are
sobering results, which underline and emphasize the importance of being
proactive in your own care. The vast majority of medical professionals
are dedicated, knowledgeable, hard working, and compassionate. But the
healthcare system, especially in the US, is under incredible pressures, and
as this survey shows, mistakes do happen.
You can take your
chances, or you can do your homework and make sure you really understand
what is happening with your medical care. Are the right decisions
being made, do you know the risks, can you help spot and prevent mistakes.
These are big
questions; the answer is up to you..
Source: www.cmwf.org
Original
Source: Taking the Pulse of Health Care Systems: Experiences of
Patients with Health Problems in Six Countries, Cathy Schoen, M.S., Robin
Osborn, M.B.A., Phuong Trang Huynh, Ph.D., Michelle Doty, Ph.D., Kinga
Zapert, Ph.D., Jordon Peugh, M.A., Karen Davis, Ph.D., Health Affairs Web
Exclusive, November 3, 2005, W5-509–W5-525
-- Rick Labuda
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