Today we talked about adherence and all of the barriers to adherence. I think my favorite part of the discussion was when I asked about non-pharmacologic treatment plans. I asked what the students think we (health care providers) tell people in regards to diet and exercise when discussing their treatment plans. The students said that we tell them to limit sodium and sugar and to exercise most days of the week. The students agreed that our patients most likely think about candy and sweets when they think about sugar. They may not even understand that pasta and other starches are contributing to their chronic health conditions. In terms of adherence, patients may avoid sweets and believe they are doing exactly what their health care provider is asking of them.
I asked the students where they keep their medications...the bathroom, the kitchen, a closet? Where do homeless people keep their medications? How could this create additional adherence concerns for that population? (Dr. Abdelmageed and I remembered a video we saw on Facebook about the homeless population and I am posting below.)
I am consistently reminded in this class how much I take for granted and how truly fortunate I am to have what I have and to be health literate. It is exciting to see the students gain perspective into the lives of patients they will serve in the future. At the end of class, the students said that although they have learned about these issues throughout the curriculum, this course is providing them a unique opportunity to bring it all together. What a blessing to be involved with their learning in this way!
I asked the students where they keep their medications...the bathroom, the kitchen, a closet? Where do homeless people keep their medications? How could this create additional adherence concerns for that population? (Dr. Abdelmageed and I remembered a video we saw on Facebook about the homeless population and I am posting below.)
I am consistently reminded in this class how much I take for granted and how truly fortunate I am to have what I have and to be health literate. It is exciting to see the students gain perspective into the lives of patients they will serve in the future. At the end of class, the students said that although they have learned about these issues throughout the curriculum, this course is providing them a unique opportunity to bring it all together. What a blessing to be involved with their learning in this way!