Sustainability 6

Article Search 4: Patient Education and Health Outcomes

Keondra Logan

MHA 560

Dr. Griffin

October 30, 2018

Patient Education and Health Outcomes

Patient education is crucial in helping patients, and their families reach an amicable decision making in the kind of health care intervention they will take. The article Improving health outcomes through patient education and partnerships with patients summarizes the importance and positive health outcomes that patient education and partnership efforts with both families and patients bring to the health care system. According to Paterick et al. (2017), medical practitioners need to spend more time with patients to increase self-efficacy and self-confidence by teaching patients on the best medical insurance and medication treatment they can take. The authors conclude that patient education allows patients and physicians to elevate their relationship which renders an informed decision. The article identifies the importance of health literacy in building health information, work capacity, and understanding which helps in creating sustainability in saving and reducing health care costs.

Patient engagement is also crucial in advocating for positive health outcomes and reduced costs. The article Patient engagement: four case studies that highlight the potential for improved health outcomes and reduced costs by Laurance et al. (2014), evaluates the importance and capabilities of improving health outcomes and reduced costs through patient engagement and education. The article analyses the United Kingdom online mental health community, United Arab Emirates genetic screening program, new mother’s world health organization checklist, and United States hospital-based initiatives in patient engagement. The author suggests that through the cases, a close collaboration between the medical practitioners, patients, families, and the health care system can affect improved healthcare outcomes and reduced costs. The few available resources require officiation through proper policy-making which improves patient education. The article identifies the major stakeholders in enhancing patient education which increases the sustainability efforts of reducing health costs. Patient education allows both patients, families and medical practitioners to create a closer relationship which fosters growth in health outcomes and reduced patient costs.

Reference

Laurance, J., Henderson, S., Howitt, P. J., Matar, M., Al Kuwari, H., Edgman-Levitan, S., & Darzi, A. (2014). Patient engagement: four case studies that highlight the potential for improved health outcomes and reduced costs. Health Affairs, 33(9), 1627-1634.

Paterick, T. E., Patel, N., Tajik, A. J., & Chandrasekaran, K. (2017). Improving health outcomes through patient education and partnerships with patients. Proceedings (Baylor University. Medical Center), 30(1), 112.