Today, a patient in the United States and other developed countries may see an array of specialists, undergo a variety of procedures, but never speak to a doctor about fundamental health behaviors such as smoking, diet, or exercise or chronic conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and stress.
Enlist Medical Specialists in the Drive to Improve Population Health
Patients visiting specialists should be screened for chronic conditions and unhealthy behaviors and referred to resources for managing them.
February 10, 2022
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Summary.
In many countries, when patients see specialists such as surgeons, the physician focuses on the primary health issue and does not screen the patient for chronic conditions or unhealthy behaviors. This is a missed opportunity. Programs that have been launched in Michigan, North Carolina, and England to address this problem can serve as a model for other regions and health systems.