Overcoming Patient Barriers During Doctor Visits

by Holly Shoemaker

I previously discussed simple ways doctors may enhance patient awareness by choosing the most appropriate method of communication. Along with that, are important considerations and barriers that may affect how patients communicate and take in information.

Barriers that Affect Patients

• Bedside Manner – How a doctor projects him or herself affects how patients communicate. Just like a physician needs to take into consideration how patients learn, patients need to understand how a doctor communications and listens.
• Fear of Speaking Out – If patients become insecure or their personalities clash with a doctor's bedside manner, they speak less. Patients may feel they lack the ability to challenge what a doctor says. Because a doctor may be viewed as an authority figure, patients may become timid. Some patients may fear lack of follow-up care if they challenge what a doctor says.
• Multiple Providers – Patients who see multiple provides have different levels of trust with physicians. With those different levels of trust, comes varying degrees of openness. Patients may confuse how they communicates with one doctor, especially those who see multiple ones.
• Insecurity – There are many reasons patients may not open up to a doctor, and insecurity may stem from many of them. If patients perceive a doctor is not listening, or a patient does not understand the information communicated, they will not ask follow-up questions. Patients then take on less of a role in their own care. Anytime a patient perceives negative treatment from a medical professional, it affects treatment.

Information Changes Medical Care

Because the internet, apps and other technologies provide so much information, patients have more material available to them to research concerns and conditions. Armed with research, patients may be more willing to become involved in making decisions about their own care. However, too much information may cause an unwillingness to listen to what a doctor says. 

Concluding Thoughts

A willingness to listen and demonstrate patience on both sides will help patient awareness. When patients take steps to ensure they have knowledge and understand how barriers affect them, they then become the catalysts needed to change doctor-patient relationships.

Sandy Showcases Need for Emergency Apps and Social Media

 by Holly Shoemaker

As post-tropical storm Sandy continues to affect the East Coast, and people continue to lose power, those affected should remember that a smartphone may make the difference in preparing and understanding the next steps when a natural disaster strikes.

Many apps are available to download that do not require a connection to the Internet. Apps like Disaster Readiness provide guides on how to deal with more than 175,000 situations. The Red Cross provides an app that includes a messaging feature to inform friends and family of people’s safety. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) uses Twitter and blogs to provide guidelines and tips related to emergencies and disaster preparedness. The Red Cross recently reported that people are more likely to use an emergency app along with social media to obtain information during a natural disaster.

Concluding Thoughts

While an app may not be the first item people think of when dealing with a crisis or disaster, they are growing in number and becoming more powerful tools to stay aware and communicate with loved ones. Those who need to make a quick decision, decide on evacuation or learn about next steps may find that an app or text feature provides the best way to stay in tune, especially when limited power options exist.

T-Mobile Targets AT&T: Wants iPhone 4S Users

by Holly Shoemaker

T-Mobile wants in Apple's iPhone, but not the iPhone 5. T-Mobile has targeted AT&T iPhone 4S owners who no longer want to renew contracts with AT&T. While this does not receive a lot of press, and T-Mobile does not sell the iPhone, owners have had the ability to switch to T-Mobile for years. To date, the company has about one million iPhones on its network.

What Models Work?

T-Mobile does not support Sprint and Verizon iPhone 4 models. However, those who have the iPhone 4S on either of those networks  have the ability to switch too.

Good Move?

The answer is a mixed bag. Switching will likely come with a speed sacrifice – it takes about 50 times longer to download files using an iPhone on T-Mobile’s network. However, T-Mobile offers the best price and an unlimited data package. T-Mobile has worked to improve speeds, which was reflected in the Consumer Reports Buyers Guide 2012 rankings.

I suggest those considering a switch stop into Best Buy. Because that company sells plans from different carriers, it can access coverage areas quickly and at one time, allowing consumers to see how close they are to cell phone towers. Consumers may also access coverage maps online. However, I found that some Best Buy associates offer unbiased advice in this area, and it was helpful when I needed a wireless device. I now connect my Android phone on T-Mobile's network to my hotspot device through Verizon. T-Mobile has the best smartphone data plans and Verizon offers the fastest and most reliable connection to the Internet.