Nursing and Stress Infographic
Designed by R. Morton for Medicare’
Are you a nurse?
Does this ring true?
If so please share your story in the comments section below.
Thanks in advance!
You can see the original here.
Why you should get a second opinion
Do remember
• 36% of Brits are more likely to seek a second opinion on financial advice than on their own health
• New research released today also shows only a third of Brits say they would seek a second medical opinion about their diagnosis or treatment
• One in five Brits said that being concerned about offending or angering their doctor would stop them from asking for a second medical opinion
Britons are more likely to seek a second opinion on financial advice (36%) than on their own health.
As well as this, only 30% of people questioned in a new nationwide survey saying they would seek a second medical opinion about their diagnosis or treatment. A fifth of those asked (21%) said that concern about offending or angering their doctor would stop them from asking for a second medical opinion.
The survey suggested that a little over half (52%) of Britons are aware that they are entitled to ask a GP or health professional (such as a consultant) for a second opinion about their diagnosis or treatment. The reality is that NHS and private patients can ask for a second opinion on a recent examination, blood test or scan and get access to their medical records.
There have been a number of high profile cases of medical misdiagnosis including Kylie Minogue who publicly acknowledged that her initial diagnosis was wrong, and more recently Tom Hank’s wife Rita Wilson who had a double mastectomy only after seeking a second opinion. 15% of breast cancer cases are only diagnosed following a second opinion.
When asked to give reasons for seeking a second medical opinion, a third of people surveyed (33%) cited “concern that something has been missed on a scan” and one in five (20%) referred to concern that they are on the wrong medication for their condition. Being uncertain of the original diagnosis and seeking peace of mind (both 46%) are the most important reasons to seek a second medical opinion for the British public, closely followed by seeking additional advice on treatment options (43%).
No wonder then, that three quarters (74%) surveyed Diagnose.me say that having access to an online portal where they could seek a second medical opinion would be useful. A separate recent study revealed that second medical opinion can reduce the risk of misdiagnosis by up to 90%.
The survey did highlight that Britons actively seek medical information online with two in five (41%) people saying they go online before visiting the GP to research their symptoms, and 40% saying they would do so after a visit to the doctor to look up a diagnosis, treatment or condition.
You can listen to the interview here
Can we reform our healthcare provision?
Today we would like to focus on healthcare availability.
From a UK perspective one of the things people find irritating about primary care (by which we mean family doctors, general practitioners[GPs] or PCPs) is that is seems only to be available when we are at work or our children are at school (ie not). It has been improving over the last few years but you can’t see your family doctor on Sunday afternoon pretty much anywhere.
So we were wondering if our readers help that it would be an improvement for healthcare provision in general if primary care was available 24/7 – rather like A&E (or ER for our US readers)?
There would be less waiting around and any conditions which needed to be seen early could be. It would take off much of the pressure on hospitals at the weekend so they could get on with their real jobs.
What do you think?
Why not take our poll below and have your say in the comments section below?
You may also be interested in how such a service might be offered in a restructured health service. Why not check out our previous blog on polyclinics?
Dr Kate Granger
Now the #hellomynameis campaign is going on tour. Its founder Dr Kate Granger will be visiting healthcare organisations in June. The tour will see them cover over 1,600 miles across England, Wales and Scotland to meet NHS staff.
“I started the campaign almost two years ago when I became frustrated by the number of hospital staff who failed to introduce themselves to me when I was an inpatient,“ explains Granger . “As a doctor it felt very wrong that this basic step in communication and compassion was missing. So supported by my husband I vowed to try and bring about a lasting positive change.”
Her idea was a simple one; to use social media primarily to remind, encourage and inspire healthcare staff to introduce themselves to their patients. “I firmly believe a friendly introduction is about far more than just common courtesy but rather human connections, therapeutic relationships and building trust with patients.” Kate has since been awarded an MBE for her services to the NHS and improving care.
The campaign gathered incredible momentum with a national ‘big bang’ launch on Monday 2 February 2015, in collaboration with the Listening into Action network. It attracted support from over 100 NHS organisations and significant media attention. It has since reached across the globe with hospitals in America, Australia, Canada and Europe all becoming involved. UK volunteers treating patients with Ebola in Sierra Leone have also been following the campaign’s ethos by writing their names on their protective clothing.
John Adler, Chief Executive at Leicester’s Hospitals said: “We are honoured that Kate has chosen to visit our organisation as part of her #hellomynameis tour.
“Backing this campaign was an easy decision. We had already adopted it in small ways across our organisation, but since the official launch of the campaign in February we have continued to push this to the forefront of everyone’s minds.
“We look forward to meeting Kate and sharing with her what we have been doing to support her campaign and ensure that our staff introduce themselves to patients and their relatives when they come our hospitals. I know that staff are looking forward to meeting her and asking her questions.”
To find out more about visit www.hellomynameis.org.uk or follow #hellomynameis @GrangerKate on Twitter.
Yep – that is it.
At the doctor’s office – doctor and patient
As part of our on going discussion on healthcare and healthcare reform we are running some rolling research with our readers.
Today we would love to know what one thing, you feel, would improve the quality of your healthcare provision?
It would be great if you could share your thoughts in the comments box below. It would be great if you could mention if you had a chronic or acute medical condition (and what it is) as well as in which country you live.
For full disclosure I live in the UK, I’m a carer for a child on the autism spectrum and have hyperlipidemia. The one thing that would improve my healthcare would be being able to see a doctor without having to wait for a month. (oh and Sunday openings would be grand as well).
I am really looking forward to reading your comments.