Many want to be responsible for their well-being, but struggle on the road to better health

 Newswise, March 20, 2011 — An overwhelming percentage of Pennsylvania adults say they are more responsible for their individual health than their doctor is; however, most fail to follow through on healthy living behaviors.

According to The Patient Poll, a statewide survey of Pennsylvania adults 21 years and older, 93.3 percent believe they are more responsible for their health than their doctor. Only 4.3 percent felt their doctor was more responsible, while 2.3 percent were not sure.

The Patient Poll is a survey tool from the Institute for Good Medicine at the Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED). It was conducted on February 4 through February 7, 2011, and has a 5.67 percent margin of error.

While many of The Patient Poll participants say they are more responsible, other questions within the survey about specific lifestyle habits suggest following through on better health options presents challenges.

Nearly a third (32.5 percent) say they do not engage in planned exercise on a weekly basis. Less than half (48.7 percent) exercise three or more times weekly. Also, only 43.4 percent say they get two or more hours of weekly exercise, while many – 39.1 percent – claim they exercise less than an hour a week.

Diet may also present challenges. Only 25 percent said they avoid foods with high salt content, and only 32.1 percent pay attention to salt content in foods they purchase.

Workplace issues may also be a part of the problem. Of those surveyed, a relatively small percentage (20.5 percent) said their employer offers a wellness program. When it comes to vending machines, only 5.4 percent say that their employer offers healthy snack options.

While the good news is that patients say they want to take more responsibility, the bad news is that the statistics show that most people are struggling to make lifestyle changes. This gap concerns Ralph Schmeltz, MD, president of PAMED.

“I’m glad to see that Pennsylvanians believe they are more responsible for their own health,” Dr. Schmeltz said. “That’s a good start, but you can see how it can be a struggle as there are many hurdles to clear if they want to achieve better health.

In fact, so many hurdles that Dr. Schmeltz says his statewide organization will start the PAMED Better Health Network™ this spring to help Pennsylvania physicians guide patients in how to be part of their own health care team. “Knowing how to be an active participant in your own health care team is the first step in taking responsibility for your own health,” Dr. Schmeltz says.

The PAMED Better Health Network™ will strive to educate the public on ways to achieve a healthier lifestyle.

“Our goal is simple,” said Dr. Schmeltz. “First, our new network will help to connect the physicians, patients, hospitals, and other providers who make up our health care teams across the state so that they can more quickly and easily share their innovative ideas to improve care. We know that there are a lot of new ideas and techniques out there, but that not everyone hears about them at the same time. Then, we’ll share the best of those innovations with Pennsylvania patients to help them improve their own health.”

For example, Dr. Schmeltz notes that Pennsylvania physicians lead the way in exploring new ways to improve primary care – the care you get at your family physician or at the medical practice that you consider your “medical home.”

Pennsylvania is second in the nation in the number of physicians and medical practices that are officially designated as Patient Centered Medical Homes (PCMH), under a federal demonstration project being managed by the Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians. These practices are doing many new things to help patients take responsibility and work more closely within their personal team of doctors, nurses, dieticians, and other professionals.

“An informed, activated patient working with a prepared, proactive physician-led health care team is likely to create the best outcomes,” Dr. Schmeltz said.

Even though some PCMHs have shown they have new ways to help smokers quit, for example, or to help diabetics monitor their health better, the patient-centered medical home is still under the radar of many physicians, as well as patients. Why is it flying under radar?

“That’s the million dollar question,” said Dr. Schmeltz. “This one innovative new model – the Patient Centered Medical Home – may not be the only solution. There may be other models that exhibit patient centeredness and better care coordination. It remains a grand experiment. But that’s why there’s such an urgent need to help physicians, patients and their health care teams share the best new ideas more quickly.”

The patient-doctor relationship has been the priority of the Pennsylvania Medical Society since its founding in 1848. Today, the physician members continue to focus on better health for all Pennsylvanians. To learn more about the Pennsylvania Medical Society, visit the web site atwww.pamedsoc.org or its patient website atwww.myfamilywellness.org. The Institute for Good Medicine at PAMED can be found www.goodmedicine.org.

The Patient Poll
Sponsored by the Institute for Good Medicine at the Pennsylvania Medical Society
Conducted online through the Toluna Group and Taylor Brand Group
February 4 – 7, 2011
5.67% Margin of Error

Question 1
Who do you feel is more responsible for your health?

Answers to Question 1
Me = 93.4%
My doctor = 4.3%
Not sure = 2.3%

Question 2
On average, how many times per week do you engage in planned exercise?

Answers to Question 2
None = 32.7%
1 time = 6.9%
2 times = 11.9%
3 times = 17.2%
4 times = 11.2%
5 times = 11.6%
More than 5 times a week = 8.6%

Question 3
Which statement comes closest to describing how you monitor your personal salt consumption? (Please check all that apply.)

Answers to Question 3
I am careful how much salt I add to my food. = 47.6%
I pay attention to the salt content of the foods I purchase. = 31.9%
I avoid foods with high salt content. = 24.9%
I don’t pay attention to how much salt I consume. = 32.6%

Question 4
Please check all appropriate responses below regarding your place of employment.

Answers to Question 4
My employer has a wellness program for employees that includes programs on diet or fitness. = 20.4%
My employer has an on-site fitness center available. = 8.6%
My employer offers health snacks (at no charge or for sale). = 5.4%
My employer offers none of the above. = 39.0%
I am not currently employed. = 35.8%