Doctor 2 took the time to explain the diagnosis, gave
you treatment options and involved you in the final
decision.
This is called Shared Decision Making (SDM) and is
the gold standard for patient-centered care. Shared
Decision Making has as its roots increased emphasis
on informing and educating patients, eliciting their
opinions and preferences to treatment and involving
them in the decisions which affects them directly.
Simply stated… your opinion matters!
Scientific evidence has confirmed that Shared Decision
Making is good for both the patient and the doctor.
From the patient’s perspective it increases your
knowledge and understanding of different treatment
options, risks and benefits. It allows a more realistic
expectation of the outcome and ensures your active
participation in the decision process. The alignment
between expectation and outcome coupled with high
patient involvement results in better-informed decision-
making and higher patient satisfaction.
For the doctor, satisfied patients are happy patients
they refer others and are less likely to initiate medico
legal proceedings.
It is a win-win situation, so why is Shared Decision
Making so rarely practiced?
Well the reason is simple…… time.
Shared Decision Making involves communication,
which is generally time consuming, especially in
orthopaedics, where many of the terms are unfamiliar
and requires explanation. In addition, effective
communication involves aids, which may include
question lists, printed material, video and web-based
resources all of which increases consultation time.
Perhaps the biggest obstacle is the fee-for-service
payment system used in Trinidad that discourages
surgeons from spending substantial time emphasizing
the potential benefits of non-operative treatment or to
put another way it encourages surgeons to recommend
surgery.
In the United States there are already major changes in
health-care delivery, which seek to reverse this trend.
In particular Medicare and major insurance providers
are moving towards a value-based payment model in
which Shared Decision Making will play a major role.
Patients need to demand a more thorough explanation
from their surgeons who in turn need to see the benefit
to themselves and their practices.
So the next time you visit your surgeon, DO NOT
be corralled into a decision, ask for explanations,
ensure that you are fully informed and take part in the
decision that will affect YOU!
VERILAST™ Technology for knee and hip replacements has been
lab tested to deliver the durability active patients need.
No matter where your road takes you,
durability matters
What does it mean to be an active patient? It means
hiking more, walking more, dancing more — living more.
VERILAST Technology was created to stand up to the
added wear and tear active patients put on their
implants. In fact, it was tested for durability 9-times
longer than the industry standard.
If chronic joint pain is keeping you from being the
active person you want to be, it might be time for
you to talk to a doctor about VERILAST Technology.
Testing concluded at 45 million cycles. ISO 14242-1 defines test completion at 5 million cycles.
Replacement surgery is intended to relieve pain and improve hip/knee function. However, implants may not produce the same feel or function as your original hip/knee. There are potential risks with hip/knee replacement surgery such as loosening,
fracture, dislocation, wear and infection that may result in the need for additional surgery. Longevity of implants depends on many factors, such as types of activities and weight. Do not perform high impact activities such as running and jumping
unless your surgeon tells you the bone has healed and these activities are acceptable. Early device failure, breakage or loosening may occur if you do not follow your surgeon’s limitations on activity level. Early failure can happen if you do not guard
your hip/knee joint from overloading due to activity level, failure to control body weight, or accidents such as falls. Talk to your doctor to determine what treatment may be best for you.
Additional information available at
.
™Trademark of Smith & Nephew.
Mr. Marlon M. Mencia FRCS
868-622-5192
The Hip & Knee Clinic
Westshore Medical Private Hospital
239 Western Main Road
Cocorite, Trinidad, WI
23
Consider these two scenarios:
Patient:
“Doctor, my knee hurts when I walk, and it is
always swollen. Its “grating” and I have a permanent
limp. What can I do? “
Doctor A:
“Your knee is falling apart! You need surgery
as soon as possible before you end up in a wheelchair.
On your way out see my nurse and she will put you on
the list for next Wednesday. And don’t forget to pick up
your invoice! “
Doctor B:
Mrs. Y, from what you have told me
and from my examination, I suspect that you have
osteoarthritis. This X-ray confirms the diagnosis. Let
Marlon Mencia,
MBBS Msc, FRCS (Eng), FRCS (Tr & Orth)
Shared Decision Making:
me explain to you what osteoarthritis is, we can then
discuss treatment options and arrive at a plan that best
suits your specific needs. “
By whom would you prefer to be treated ?
The obvious answer is Doctor 2, but WHY?
NEED MEDICAL
COVERAGE?
TTARP has paid out over $11 million to
members since the plan’s inception in
1996.
To join, please collect the Hospitalisation
Plan Application Form at TTARP office,
complete and submit together with your
annual payment of $500.
