Getting to the Truth in Patient Medical & Pharmacy Encounters ---On Shared Decision Making

The survey explores the concept of Shared Decision Making----where the patient is enabled and empowered to participate as an equal in his or her own care. It’s a concept that is long overdue and maybe far off as it completely shifts the power dynamic and accountability back to the consumer / patient / person. The clinician is also empowered in that dynamic, as frank dialogue becomes the basis for communications. It's not about the money exchange in health care-----it's about the power for decision making and helping people have choices-----and this is something that may be as unique to us as our retinal patterns.

It is that shift that actually enables the free-market of health care for the person, the clinician, and the system because we cease paying for things that have low value or are not desired by the patient which might otherwise result in waste----redundant tests, unnecessary drugs or hospitalizations.

I am grateful for the opportunity to enlist a number of you in measuring your impressions in this survey with the hope that we can spark a national-----or international----dialogue on how to really improve care and take care of each other. Please copy and paste the following link into your browser page or double click on it to review the results. http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?id=963974&da=y

Prescription Drug Benefit Design and Effect on Compliance & Satisfaction

This survey looks at the issue of out-of-pocket costs and benefit design on two elements of importance to the patient and directly related to the idea that if prescription drugs cost too much, people will make decisions that may effect their health. Another element under consideration----does the drug benefit design have any impact on satisfaction with the drug program.

To see the results of the survey, either cut and paste this link into your web browser or double click on this link. http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?id=963972&da=y

Autism Attitudes in 2008

This survey attempts to better understand the attitudes of the public, and parents, in particular, on the problem of Autism Spectrum disorders, articles in the lay press that link it to vaccinations, and how people feel, in general, about the cause and effects.

Our respondents have strongly held and valid opinions. The most fascinating thing, I believe, was to read their comments. To read the results, paste in your web browser or click on this link. http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?id=963973&da=y

Pharmacy Profession & Public Perceptions

This survey was one of four that I did as "independent study" for my PharmD program. This particular assessment was intended to understand the public’s impressions on the actual practice of pharmacy, with a focus on their awareness of various professional services are being offered and the environment in which they are getting care.

I found that many don't necessarily understand or particularly value some of the clinical services that pharmacists routinely perform in environments that range from retail pharmacy practices to other specially skilled clinical teams in hospital, long term care, consulting, and managed care settings.

I hope that we within the profession stop dreaming about changing the face of the profession and start becoming activists in the transformation of health care. Patient enablement and compliance are particularly available to the pharmacist----we need to find creative ways to get paid for adding value beyond the traditional and long-perceived role of dispenser and warehouser of drugs and coordinator of third-party claims adjudication.

If you would like to see the results and writetup, just cut and paste this link into your browser or double click directly on the link. http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?id=963975&da=y