Understanding Subjective Information in the Medical Field: What It Is and How It Affects Patient Care
When it comes to patient care in the medical field, objective information is considered critical to making informed decisions. This may include factors such as lab results, diagnostic imaging, and physical symptoms. However, there’s another type of information that’s equally important but more subjective in nature: patient-reported information (PRI).
What is PRI and why is it important?
PRI refers to information provided by patients about their symptoms, medical history, lifestyle habits, and other factors that may affect their health. This information is often gathered during patient interviews or through online portals. While it’s not as concrete as objective data, PRI can be incredibly valuable in the medical field.
First and foremost, PRI allows healthcare providers to gain a more complete understanding of a patient’s health. By taking into account factors such as lifestyle habits and emotional state, providers can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the patient’s health. This can lead to more accurate diagnoses and more effective treatment plans.
Additionally, PRI can help patients feel more involved in their own care. Patients who feel that their providers are listening to them and taking their concerns seriously are more likely to adhere to treatment plans and have better health outcomes overall.
Challenges with PRI
Despite the benefits of PRI, there are some challenges associated with its use. For one, subjective information can be more difficult to analyze than objective data. Healthcare providers must rely on their own judgment to determine which pieces of PRI are relevant and which aren’t.
Additionally, there is always the risk of patients providing inaccurate or incomplete information. This can be due to a number of factors, including forgetfulness, shame, or fear of judgment. Providers must be able to distinguish between accurate and inaccurate PRI in order to make informed decisions about patients’ care.
Examples of PRI in Action
There are many real-world examples of how PRI is being used in the medical field today. For example, providers may use patient-reported symptoms to screen for depression or anxiety. They may also use PRI to gain a better understanding of a patient’s social support network, which can impact their overall health.
Another way that PRI is being used is in the monitoring of chronic conditions. Patients with conditions such as diabetes or heart disease may be asked to regularly report their blood sugar or blood pressure levels. This information can help providers get a better understanding of how the patient is managing their condition and whether any adjustments need to be made to their treatment plan.
Conclusion
Patient-reported information may be subjective in nature, but it’s an essential component of high-quality patient care. By taking the time to gather and analyze PRI, healthcare providers can gain a more complete understanding of their patients’ health and make more informed decisions about their care. As the medical field continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more innovative uses of PRI in the years to come.
References
– Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Gathering Patient Reported Outcomes in Ophthalmology: Getting Involved”. Accessed September 14, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/visionhealth/basic_information/vision_loss_national_agenda/patient_reported_outcomes.html.
– Institute of Medicine. Committee on Quality of Health Care in America. (2001). Crossing the Quality Chasm: A New Health System for the 21st Century. National Academies Press (US). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK222274/.
– Volk, M. L., Wilk, A. S., & Van Wagner, L. B. (2016). Patient-reported outcomes in hepatology. Hepatology, 63(2), 679-686. doi: 10.1002/hep.28270
