As WebMD’s chief medical officer, John Whyte, MD, is in a novel place to see each the present state of medical take care of America’s older adults and the way in which issues are trending for the longer term. We requested him to share his perception on a couple of subjects, together with a bit of recommendation.
WebMD: What are among the largest entry to well being care points going through older adults at the moment?
JW: Value, transportation, and high quality of care stay among the largest points on the subject of well being take care of older adults. Medicare doesn’t cowl 100% of prices, and plenty of sufferers battle to pay for his or her prescriptions and physician payments. Because of this, generally they don’t go to the physician as typically as they should, and infrequently they will’t refill their prescriptions. Lack of satisfactory transportation has made it tough for a lot of older adults to obtain care — they merely can’t get to their appointments. As older adults develop extra well being situations and their time with the physician will get shorter and shorter, it may be tough to deal with all their well being care wants. Because of this, it may be laborious to maintain situations like diabetes and blood strain beneath management.
WebMD: How will expertise change the way in which older adults entry well being care inside the subsequent decade?
JW: Everybody, together with older adults, must change into extra tech-savvy when partaking with the well being care system. Digital instruments, equivalent to sensors and trackers, have gotten extra helpful in managing these situations, like diabetes and hypertension, that quick workplace visits don’t all the time give us time to deal with. Digital actuality instruments may even change into extra widespread. On condition that many individuals didn’t develop up with all these applied sciences, it would make entry to well being care tougher for some teams. We want to verify everybody — particularly older adults — has entry to improvements that may enhance their expertise with the well being care system and result in higher outcomes.
WebMD: How will COVID-19 change the character of doctor-patient interplay?
JW: Within the short-term, COVID-19 has had monumental influence on the doctor-patient relationship. All of a sudden nearly each go to changed into a digital go to. Sadly, in some circumstances, each the physician and the affected person weren’t adequately ready for this abrupt change. Many individuals had been unnoticed fully or acquired lower than optimum care. However the information isn’t all dangerous. For others, it was a strategy to deliver the physician to them, as an alternative of them having to go to the physician. Expertise may also help us clear up a few of these transportation points I referred to above. As we transfer into “the brand new regular,” I believe nearly all of physician visits might be in-person, however telehealth will play a a lot bigger position. I additionally assume we’ll see extra companies delivered immediately within the residence.
WebMD: What’s the No. 1 piece of recommendation you’d give to a affected person or caregiver about efficiently work together with the well being care system?
JW: Whether or not you’re a self-advocate or caring for another person, a profitable interplay with the well being care system requires persistence. Everyone knows the phrase, “the squeaky wheel will get the grease.” Generally it’s a must to be a that squeaky wheel. The well being care system may be very difficult to navigate. There are numerous rules than can influence your entry to care, and they are often complicated. Generally your approach doesn’t work the primary time. So it’s essential maintain at it when accessing sure companies, and it’s essential converse up. There’s additionally an attention-grabbing dynamic with older adults on the subject of well being care: They typically say they don’t wish to trouble their physician, or they wish to be a “good affected person.” We now have to assist them perceive that being a superb affected person or a superb advocate for another person means getting what it’s essential ensure you get high quality care.
WebMD: If you happen to had been speaking to a cherished one over 70, what’s the No. 1 piece of well being care recommendation you’d give them with regard to taking good care of themselves?
JW: It’s by no means too late to reap the advantages of a wholesome way of life. If you happen to smoke, stop. If you happen to aren’t bodily energetic, begin slowly — even when it means merely not sitting as a lot all through the day. Being energetic doesn’t imply having to go to the fitness center. There’s quite a bit you are able to do at residence. Check out what you’re consuming and begin to deal with meals as drugs. It may be as highly effective as a prescription drug — and in some instances, it might aid you eliminate a couple of medicine you’re taking. Lastly, take heed to your physique. Whenever you don’t really feel good, examine in along with your physician.