Information therapy and Rehabilitation

-Dr. Amee A. Shah (B.P.Th.)Seth G.S.M.C. and K.E.M. Hospital

Information Therapy

Information Therapy" is a term for supplying patients with -health information, -enabling them to make informed decisions about their health and care, -participate in their own well-being. 

Role of IT

Information Therapy is the most descriptive, the richest in possible meanings and the broadest in scope.

It provides a patient with a sense of control and power by increasing the general public’s knowledge concerning health issues.

It helps inculcate a sense of responsibility in them for their own health.

It will assist in self care. Decrease the usage of scarce health

resources.

Rehabilitation Enables patients to attain optimal function and

become independent. Teamwork Aims at-1. Reducing risk of injury2. Healing of an injury.3. Preventing recurrence of injury

Self careSelf care is personal health maintenance. One of the important components of Rehabilitation.Self care includes all health decisions people (as individuals or

consumers) make for themselves and their families to get and stay physically and mentally fit.

Self care is • exercising to maintain physical fitness and good mental health.• eating well• practicing good hygiene• avoiding health hazards such as smoking and drinking to prevent

ill health. • taking care of minor ailments, long term conditions, or one’s own

health after discharge from secondary and tertiary health care.• Observing good ergonomics to function safely and efficiently.

Ergonomic principles:

All of us could significantly reduce our risk of injury if we could adhere to the following ergonomic principles:

All work activities should permit the worker to adopt several different, but equally healthy and safe postures.

Where muscular force has to be exerted it should be done by the largest appropriate muscle groups available.

Work activities should be performed with the joints at about mid-point of their range of movement. This applies particularly to the head, trunk, and upper limbs.

Injury Prevention

Listen to your body Wear proper footwear while

exercising Warm up before any activity.

“Why is Information therapy Needed?”

“…between half and four-fifths of all medical information… was forgotten instantly by the patient.”

Roy P C Kessels PhDJ R Soc Med 2003; 96:219-222

We Need Improved Communication

Patient-If you please us, we will come”….

“and if you don’t, we won’t”

How you can please a patient: Providing more information, Lower the medical costs, Providing Better services.

Information Therapy Strategies

Patient Instructions After Visit Summaries Visit Prep In-depth Campaigns Virtual Coaches

Application

Rather than the end of an encounter, Patient Information therapy should be the start of a process.

It Prescription Pads with check-off boxes.

Print-to-Web approaches through books and handouts.

Encourage people to start with the Web.

Wall Charts with recommended URLs.

ConclusionWe can solve neither the cost nor quality problem without information therapy and engage the consumer.

Thank you