695 Teaching Self-Care: It's Up to You
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Dynamic Chiropractic – November 1, 2019, Vol. 37, Issue 11

Teaching Self-Care: It's Up to You

By Donald M. Petersen Jr., BS, HCD(hc), FICC(h), Publisher

A national survey released this past July compared medical physicians' opinions on self-care with those of patients. Needless to say, patients want more than MDs are providing.

Conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of the Samueli Integrative Health Programs, the survey revealed that while 72 percent of patients are interested in discussing self-care with their health care provider, three-quarters (75 percent) haven't discussed self-care with their medical physician in the past two years.1

For this survey, self-care was defined as including "lifestyle changes, healthy diet, regular exercise, stress management, and other alternatives to conventional medical treatment." The survey also revealed that almost two-thirds (66 percent) of patients are looking for more self-care resources from their medical doctors, would like to see their medical physicians more involved in all aspects of their health management (65 percent), and expect their medical providers to include complementary and alternative therapies (64 percent).

MDs and Self-Care: Don't Think Patients Care and Don't Know How to Provide It

In typical form, the MDs surveyed underestimated patients' self-care interests, with almost half (46 percent) believing patients are not interested in self-care. And while the vast majority (93 percent) of medical physicians say they want to provide their patients with information on self-care, only about a quarter (26 percent) feel "very confident" in doing so.

smiling face - Copyright – Stock Photo / Register Mark A further indictment (which may not be limited to the medical profession) is that 80 percent of medical physicians believe practicing self-care is "very important," yet only 57 percent do so often. One has to ask: Would a survey of DCs reveal more encouraging results?

So, Who Will Step Up in "The Year of the Wellness Revolution" and Beyond?

Based on this and other studies, John Gerzema, CEO of The Harris Poll, has dubbed 2019 "The Year of the Wellness Revolution." Based on a survey in late 2018 with athletic apparel company Lululemon, they found that "more than eight in 10 people believe wellness is not a fad, but a lifestyle. And of those surveyed, 71% want to achieve mind and body balance this year."2

These findings should help shape conversations with your patients, particularly younger adults. They are looking for a doctor who will guide them toward a wellness lifestyle and provide care that is consistent with their efforts to maximize wellness. This will include helping patients create time for self-care and providing strategies for getting out of the bad habits almost one in five consumers admit prevent them from practicing self-care. (The survey also revealed that women experience more barriers to self-care than men. Something to consider when interacting with your female patients.)

Gerzema notes: "Our survey also found that 73% of respondents said that '2019 is the year I will achieve my ideal mind/body balance,' while 81% said, 'In 2019, I will be more compassionate with myself.' What goals will you help your patients achieve in the remainder of 2019?

Gerzema also notes that "wellness and health in culture today is a 'new wealth,' where being well means status, luxury and experience." How will helping your patients achieve their wellness goals help you achieve your practice goals? There is still time in 2019 to make a big impact.

References

  1. "Survey Finds Patients Want More Guidance From Physicians on Self-Care." The Reis Group, July 23, 2019.
  2. Gerzema J. "2019: The Year of the Wellness Revolution Is Here." Forbes, Feb. 12, 2019.

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