In the healthcare sector, the responsibility for the solution to a problem lies as much with the patient as it does with the doctor. Why? Simply because a patient needs to have the drive to get better for a solution to be properly effective. As Wayne Dyer said:
Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, it’s always your choice.
So, what are the few essential steps a patient should take to ensure that the cure is effective?
Staying Up to Date
How Can People Become Better Patients
It is a patient’s responsibility to stay up to date on the new procedures which result in better health care. Let us be honest. After an initial diagnosis and cure, we do not visit the doctor as much as we should. Most often, the dates for the appointments are simply ignored because of other things in life. How then should the doctor help us with the follow up? As a patient, it is we who should keep updates with the better initiatives to keep ourselves fit.
Overweight and Obesity
Obesity is an indicator of bad health practices. The worst part of it is that it is fully dependent on the patient alone. The most a doctor can do is prescribe the procedure to keep healthy. While this includes a full change of the lifestyle of a patient, a doctor cannot come and administer the procedure directly. It is the responsibility of the patient to follow them. However, considering that being overweight is one the leading problems in today’s society, it can be surmised that this does not translate into reality. Thus, the patient should be proactive in trying to cure him/herself in order for it to actually work. Obesity is a leading factor that contributes to the failing of people’s health, by a person watching what they eat and exercising more can mean a much healthier and longer life span.
Addictive Personalities
Addictions are one of the hardest things to get rid of. It has been said that certain people have addictive personalities meaning that they are more likely to get addicted to things than others. If a patient visits the doctor for getting over his/her addiction, the maximum that a doctor can do is help with the problem. However, addictions are so inherently personal in nature that it is ultimately the patient who has to tackle it.
Keeping Up to Date with Follow Ups
A full solution never ends with just the temporary cure. Following up with screenings in order to keep it all from recurring is just as important as any treatment. Things like smear tests and mammograms should be undertaken when necessary and without delay. Attending such appointments is vital in order to ensure that ill-health does not reoccur.
Eat Healthy
Needless to say, diet forms an important part of any treatment. Adhering to the prescribed diet and eating healthy can often make all the difference. A good diet can not only help your body recover with the proper nutrients, but would also help you maintain the essential balance needed for a speedy recovery. Since every problem faced by a patient is unique, a unique diet is the only way to ensure that you recover completely.
Control bad Habits
Last but not the least is to control habits to ensure you are not falling back in to bad ways. For example, maintaining good eating habits after weight loss, staying away from sugary foods and high fat foods. It is crucial that as a patient that you adhere to a few rules for a cure to work.
Being a better patient is starting with yourself, attend routine appointments, attend any follow up appointments, listen to your body, get to know it so you notice any changes straightaway, do not abuse your body, limit the intake of alcohol and fatty foods, keep a good diet and exercise.