There is an interesting article in the Wall Street Journal "REPORT" section today (4/16/12). What makes it interesting is that it claims that a "simple idea" is "Transforming Health Care." The idea is not actually "new," and I doubt that it is "transforming" anything, but let's give them an A-grade for effort.
The brilliant concept, according the author Laura Landro, is "a focus on quality of life…" Yes, are you still standing? It must be important because it's on the front page of a special section and two pages in length. Ms. Landro writes that this simple question is changing the delivery of medical care: "How is your health affecting your quality of life?"
Imagine that? And all this time we have been training our population to wait until an illness presents itself and then respond by expecting a physician to take care of us.
This radical idea suggests that how patients feel about themselves determines to some extent whether or not they will take care of themselves. Whew, I know ... a real game changer.
"Once a patient leaves the office, there is little that most doctors can do to make sure they stick to their regimen or help them with any problems or barriers to staying on the wagon," reads one quote. Such humility.
So let's see. Is this writer daring to suggest that the sickness-care establishment is admitting its interventions may demand other skills and support than provided by traditional medicine and public health studies? It was comforting to note the author substantiates her claims and suggestions with data from CDC's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System "which measures the number of 'healthy days' people have in any given month."
So take heart all you health promotion professionals, physical and health educators, and those who labor in support of recovery programs of all kinds: Help is on the way!