Early Detection or Prevention

Healthcare, as an industry, suffers from an identity crisis. The term itself is a misnomer. In America, medical providers overwhelmingly practice sick-care, not healthcare. Diet, exercise and stress management are merely an afterthought and rarely primary in the patient/provider interaction.

While Doctors believe prevention is best, many are in fact practicing early detection and managing disease progression. Medicating health indicators such as blood pressure, glucose or cholesterol does little to address the underlying source. Leading causes of death, including heart disease, diabetes and certain types of cancer are diseases of lifestyle. Modifications in diet, stress and physical activity can minimize, and in many cases, prevent such ailments altogether.

Concluding an office visit by advising patients to eat well and exercise does little or nothing to emphasize the importance of such activities or equip an individual with proper tools for success. Enter technology. Smart phones and wearable devices, the fit bit for example, enable users to monitor everything from caloric intake, physical activity, even sleeping patterns.

Healthcare providers are best served asking specific questions ensuring optimal outcomes and practicing prevention. A few examples include; how many steps do you take per day, are you getting restful sleep or do you monitor what you're eating? Replacing the old adage of "eat well and exercise" with "how are you tracking your physical activity and what you eat", will do wonders in establishing stronger rapport as well as improved health outcomes.

In a country where healthcare spending exceeds 3 trillion dollars, rethinking service and consumption is critical and overdue. Healthcare, as an industry, has lagged in accepting and implementing technology. Through a vast array of free applications, providers and patients can actively manage crucial health indicators and truly practice a lifestyle of prevention rather than settle for early detection.

Bashar Salame, D.C