Being well and wellbeing: better understanding of patient priorities in primary care
Andrew Corin 1Clinical Horizon NZ Ltd, PO Box 15577 Tauranga; the doctors Tauranga, 434 Devonport Rd, Tauranga, New Zealand. Email: acorin@clinicalhorizons.co.nz
Journal of Primary Health Care 11(2) 89-95 https://doi.org/10.1071/HC18088
Published: 14 June 2019
Journal Compilation © Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners 2019.
This is an open access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Achieving desired health outcomes in primary care can be challenging because of dissonance between the theory and reality of medicine, inadequate understanding of patient perspectives and priorities regarding wellness, wellbeing and goals of treatment, and under-emphasis of the concept of whole-person care in the doctor–patient relationship.
ASSESSMENT OF PROBLEMS: Anticipated dissonance in the doctor–patient relationship was explored using a self-designed audit, which also functioned as an educational and engagement tool.
RESULTS OF ASSESSMENT: Most respondents appreciated the opportunity, with a small number commenting on the challenging nature of the question.
STRATEGIES FOR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT: Entering audit findings into the patient’s clinical record in a format accessible to all clinical staff enables increased opportunity for patients to be valued and engaged with. Goal setting and therapeutic choices can be made in the light of a better understanding of what matters most to the patient.
LESSONS AND MESSAGES: This project provided valuable and, at times surprising, information to clinical consultations that had not previously been obtained from or offered by patients. Such information requires an intentional, engaged and collaborative interaction with the patient, and enhances patient-centric consultations with a focus on whole-person care and wellness in the journey to therapeutic goals and health outcomes.
Keywords: Wellness; wellbeing; patient priorities; whole patient; primary care; treatment goals
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