Probably the biggest way is increased access to information. Patients
can now find out all sorts of info (unfortunately good as well as bad)
via the internet, TV news, and other sources. This allows them to be
more knowledgable about their own health and better able to ask
questions of their doctor and explore alternatives, rather than just
blindly going with their doctor's advice. They may also have better
access to their own medical records, with electronic records being
made available to patients online in some places. In addition there
is more technology available for home monitoring of medical
conditions, including blood sugar in diabetes, blood pressure,
cholesterol and even heart rate while exercising. Self-help and
prevention advice is much more widely available now as well. |
