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 best way issues are trending for the longer term. We requested him to share his perception on just a few subjects, together with a bit of recommendation.
WebMD: What are among the greatest entry to well being care points dealing with older adults at this time?
JW: Price, transportation, and high quality of care stay among the greatest points relating to 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. Consequently, generally they don’t go to the physician as typically as they should, and infrequently they will’t refill their prescriptions. Lack of ample transportation has made it troublesome 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 troublesome to handle all their well being care wants. Consequently, it may be laborious to maintain situations like diabetes and blood stress below management.
WebMD: How will know-how change the best way older adults entry well being care inside the subsequent decade?
JW: Everybody, together with older adults, must turn into extra tech-savvy when participating with the well being care system. Digital instruments, reminiscent of sensors and trackers, have gotten extra helpful in managing these situations, like diabetes and hypertension, that quick workplace visits don’t at all times give us time to handle. Digital actuality instruments will even turn into extra widespread. Provided that many individuals didn’t develop up with some of these applied sciences, it would make entry to well being care harder for some teams. We’d like to ensure everybody — particularly older adults — has entry to improvements that can 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. Immediately nearly each go to became 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 ignored fully or obtained lower than optimum care. However the information isn’t all dangerous. For others, it was a technique to deliver the physician to them, as a substitute of them having to go to the physician. Expertise will 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 shall be in-person, however telehealth will play a a lot bigger function. 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 learn how to 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 important to be a that squeaky wheel. The well being care system may be very difficult to navigate. There are plenty of laws 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 communicate up. There’s additionally an fascinating dynamic with older adults relating to well being care: They typically say they don’t wish to trouble their physician, or they wish to be a “good affected person.” Now we have to assist them perceive that being a very good affected person or a very good advocate for another person means getting what it’s essential be sure you get high quality care.
WebMD: In the event you had been speaking to a liked one over 70, what’s the No. 1 piece of well being care recommendation you’ll give them with regard to caring for themselves?
JW: It’s by no means too late to reap the advantages of a wholesome life-style. In the event you smoke, give up. In the event you aren’t bodily lively, begin slowly — even when it means merely not sitting as a lot all through the day. Being lively doesn’t imply having to go to the gymnasium. There’s so much 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 show you how to eliminate just a few medicine you’re taking. Lastly, hearken to your physique. Whenever you don’t really feel good, verify in together with your physician.