Most of us do it—if not for ourselves, for someone we care about. We Google symptoms and self-diagnose before we decide whether or not to see a physician. In fact, Pew reports that 72 percent of Internet users search for health-related information online.
Think about it: how many times have you arrived for a doctor appointment prepared with a list of possible reasons for your ailment?
Family members play an important role in a patient’s recovery. They’re often the ones who make sure their loved one takes medications, makes necessary lifestyle changes and follows aftercare recommendations. Although family members can provide the support recovering patients need, sometimes they become overly involved in the decision-making process.
When relatives try to control a patient, rather than support him or her, trouble lies ahead. All too often, hospital staff members become caught in the middle. It’s crucial for family members to understand how they can provide a supportive role.
Striking the right balance isn’t always easy, but as a medical professional, you can help educate family members about helpful roles they could take on using the following talking points.
Attracting new patients is a constant concern for most physicians in private practice. Whether you want to expand your practice or just make sure your patient load remains stable, adding new patients is an essential aspect of your business. These three strategies will help you attract and keep quality new patients to grow your private practice.
It may be a cliché, but your employees really are your most valuable assets. If you fail to create a strong work culture, you risk losing your best employees to your competitors. The entire hospital suffers when your top performers decide there are better places to work. Without the best and brightest, it’s difficult to create a positive culture that not only empowers and engages employees but also improves the patient experience.
Here are steps healthcare administrators can take to ensure a positive work atmosphere for employees.
For nurses with ever-changing schedules, adapting to changing shift cycles can present several unique challenges. Shift work isn’t always kind to your circadian rhythm—the body’s natural clock that keeps us awake during the day and slows us down at night.
Patient care is a 24-hour operation, so to take care of yourself and ensure patient safety and satisfaction, it’s necessary to make adjustments to your sleep schedule and daily routine. Especially for busy nurses who are always on their feet, self-care is crucial for job satisfaction and improving the patience experience.
To provide the best nursing care and remain focused and productive, here are three tips to stay healthy and well rested despite a shifting schedule:
