Quality Blog #3: Patient Perspective and Adverse Effects

Adverse effects are also called side effects and can result from a reaction to a drug or surgery. They are considered events that cause harm to the patient. The patient’s perspective is a very significant aspect when discussing adverse events. This is true particularly because patients are the party most affected by the event. If the patient does not offer insight, the physician may not be aware that anything has occurred. Therefore this makes the patient’s perspective the most important determinant in perspectives on adverse effects.

A patient’s viewpoint also gives health care professionals an idea of how certain drugs or surgeries are affecting certain patient populations. For example, if health care professionals are noticing that diabetic patients are experiencing nausea from a certain medication, one could assume that this is an adverse effect for these patients. If this information had not been communicated by the patient, the clinician may not have been aware of the effect.

Adverse events can vary from mild to severe, including death. If these events can result in the death of a patient, the patient’s perspective is vital. If I needed to inform my physician about trouble I have been experiencing with a drug, I would expect the physician or other health care professional to take my concern seriously. If the physician chooses to research the side effect, it could lead to others classifying my problem as an adverse effect which could prevent harm to other patients who are given the same medication in the future. This is another example of how a patient’s insight could lead to determining whether an adverse event has occurred.

Health care professionals should also try to use the patient’s perspective as much as possible because it allows for more efficient and effective care for the patient. Without insight and feedback from patients, the affects of a drug may go unnoticed, which could create problems for the patient and health care professional in the future; which could reduce the quality of care given to patients. Reports from patients also allow health care professionals to make improvements in care (Ransom, Joshi, & Ransom, 2008). It is important for health care professionals to understand how these events affect their patients. If they have a better understanding of this, they are able to provide better care to patients as well.

Reference

Ransom, Elizabeth, Joshi, Maulik, & Ransom, Scott. (2008). The Healthcare quality book. Health Administration Pr.