Talking to Your Patients About Heart Disease
Until recently, treatment and diagnosis of
CVD in women were based on what doctors knew about men.
As a result, women were diagnosed later than their male
counterparts, limiting their treatment options.
Now armed with information specific to women, health professionals
can provide preventive information and treatment to women
at risk. By tailoring your approach to the differing needs
of women, you can help lower their risk for developing CVD.
It’s important to develop an open dialogue with female
patients and encourage them to ask many questions, as well
as share any disturbing symptoms. Many may not even know
that they have a greater risk for dying of heart disease
than breast cancer. It is crucial for physicians to make
them aware of the importance of heart health at any age.
The Compliance Factor
Studies have shown that just talking about lifestyle changes,
such as eating healthy, losing weight, and controlling stress,
isn’t enough. Noncompliance (or nonadherence) has
been found to be a major problem in lowering CVD risk in
women, and physicians are challenged to work with each patient
to ensure that she complies (or adheres) with treatment.
If a patient is not "complying," there are often
underlying reasons for this lack of adherence. The patient
may not understand the importance of a medication or a lifestyle
recommendation. The patient also may fear a medication and
its side effects or face financial constraints or cultural
barriers. Open communication can help physicians to discover
these barriers to adherence.
To improve patient adherence with heart-healthy therapies,
follow these tips from the National Council on Patient Information
and Education:
- Involve the patient in treatment decisions and ask her
to sign a consignment pledge.
- Monitor adherence at every office visit and follow up
when needed.
- Establish an alternate contact person at your office.
- Coordinate medical regimens with other healthcare professionals
and pharmacists.
- Make sure that all your staff members are trained to
effectively communicate with patients.
- Try not to ask patients "Yes" or "No"
questions. Instead, ask open-ended questions that will
encourage dialogue.
- Offer compliance (adherence) monitoring and documentation
for at-risk patients.
- Ask patients specifically if they use vitamins or other
dietary supplements.
- Use educational pamphlets and other literature to reinforce
recommendations.
- Assess your patients’ knowledge of medications
and lifestyle changes and then integrate education accordingly.
- Ask compliance (adherence) questions at all patient
visits.
References
- “Medication
Compliance,” American Heart Association, 2002.
- “Ten
Questions a Woman Should Ask Her Health Care Provider,”
American Heart Association, 2002.
Source of Material: RockHill Communications, 14
Rock Hill Road Bala, Cynwyd, PA 19004, (610) 667-2040, http://www.RockHillCommunications.com
Writer: Christine Norris
Editors: Andrea King, Joanne Poeggel, Erin Murphy, Ron
Wozny
Clinical Reviewer: Patt Panzer, M.D.
Date Written: 3/1/01
Last Reviewed & Updated: 5/31/2003 |
