{"id":313,"date":"2022-12-09T13:55:51","date_gmt":"2022-12-09T13:55:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simed.wpengine.com\/?p=313"},"modified":"2024-01-22T16:21:12","modified_gmt":"2024-01-22T16:21:12","slug":"habit-forming-by-jock-hoffman","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simedpr.com\/en\/habit-forming-by-jock-hoffman\/","title":{"rendered":"Habit Forming by Jock Hoffman"},"content":{"rendered":"
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According to one\u00a0study<\/a>, a New Year\u2019s Day resolution to change or establish a habit may not really take hold until mid-March, even for people fully committed to their resolutions.\n\nBut, for individuals who are contending with weight, fitness, or substance use issues\u2014and begin the year with the determination to change their behavior\u2014the odds of maintaining that commitment into February are\u00a0dismaying<\/a>. Nevertheless, finding\u00a0ways<\/a>\u00a0to help your patients persevere could also help reduce the risk of diagnostic, treatment, or medication-related errors.\n\nThe health care rendered to patients involved in medical malpractice claims and suits is often complicated by the patient\u2019s co-morbidities. Health conditions that are not the primary focus of the medical services being challenged may, however, have influenced both the patients\u2019 and providers\u2019 thought processes. In addition, patients with a range of health issues are likely to have more complex care scenarios: more interactions with multiple providers in diffuse settings. Each added encounter, provider, setting, and treatment regimen increases the risk of gaps in a patient\u2019s health care coordination and\u00a0miscommunication<\/a>\u2014two of the leading components noted in allegations of substandard care.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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It\u2019s a motivation gap, not a knowledge gap.<\/caption>\n
Encouraging patients to fulfill their resolutions now can help them avoid future complications.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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TOP 5 NEW YEAR\u2019S RESOLUTIONS1<\/sup>\n\nPERCENT OF US POPULATION<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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eat healthier<\/td>\n37%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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get more exercise<\/td>\n37%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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get more sleep<\/td>\n24%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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read more<\/td>\n18%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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make new friends<\/td>\n15%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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  1. Source:\u00a0YouGov<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    TOP 5 CO-MORBIDITIES2<\/sup>\n\nPERCENT OF PATIENTS<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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    cardiovascular disease<\/td>\n13%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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    hypertension<\/td>\n13%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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    obesity<\/td>\n11%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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    smoking<\/td>\n11%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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    diabetes<\/td>\n9%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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    1. For patients involved in high-severity injury-related medical malpractice cases.\nSource:\u00a0National Comparative Benchmarking System<\/a>, CRICO<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n\n
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      Not surprisingly, the co-morbidities most commonly noted in malpractice cases (see Table) are among the most common health issues across the entire patient population. They are also conditions that often can be modified via lifestyle changes (eating better, exercising, smoking cessation, etc.). Alas, patients frequently\u00a0opt<\/a>\u00a0not to follow such recommendations, much to the frustration\u2014often exasperation\u2014of clinicians trying to guide patients toward better health.\n\nBut many of those unhealthy patients do indeed vow to ring out their bad habits and ring in some good ones\u2026 particularly on New Year\u2019s Day. At the beginning of every January, millions of Americans initiate health-related behavior modifications: promising to eat better, exercise more, quit smoking, etc. And they back it up by signing up, gearing up, and\u00a0cutting down<\/a>. Unfortunately, by Groundhog Day, the majority of enthusiastic individuals will have abandoned their New Year\u2019s Day resolutions.\n\nGetting to mid-March is not easy, especially when noticeable results aren\u2019t immediate. Self-motivation is hard to sustain, your well-intentioned patients are more likely to keep their eye on the prize (and their feet on the treadmill) if they have specific health-related goals, and support from family members, peers, and caregivers. For those who persevere, the benefits may be much greater than a gym membership.\n\nAdditional Material\n