Page 12 - Inspire Health July/August 2016
P. 12
important is
care?continuity of
Navigating the health care world is By Linda Doell
confusing enough without having The personal touch in health care is
to worry if you’re going to be seen by a something that is near to the heart of Sokolowski worked in two group practices
different doctor. Dr. D’nese Sokolowski, Ob/Gyn. for almost four years before deciding to open
up her own practice in Allentown. For her, it
Research has shown that having continuity “The importance of staying with one was a logical choice to have a solo practice.
in care helps the patient in the long run with doctor for care becomes evident when
consistent health care. we talk about “hand-offs” in medicine, “I became frustrated trying to learn
whether that happens with each office everything about the patients as I walked into
According to survey data at the National visit or in the hospital when one person’s an exam room and had 10 minutes to spend
Institutes of Health’s National Library of shift ends and another person takes with them,” she says. “I was very thorough,
Medicine, patients said they were more over — there is always the possibility that but found that sometimes others were
satisfied with the health care they received something will get missed or forgotten not. I did not feel I was giving the best care
when there was continuity of care through when someone new takes over,” she possible by spending so much time reviewing
the same provider. Other research shows says. “A person’s medical record can be the chart and trying to determine whether
continuity of care may actually reduce health quite lengthy, and with the many time necessary tests had been completed to date.
care costs. Data showed that the more constraints on physicians sometimes Sometimes I would first meet a patient when
doctors a patient encountered generally the details may not get communicated. I walked into her room when she was about
meant a higher cost and more utilization of Sometimes these details are important — to deliver — there was no relationship there,
the health care system. medically or philosophically to the patient.” no earned trust. It was not the right model
for my practice of medicine.”
THEY’LL NOTICE William J. Cherry, D.M.D.
YOUR SMILE FIRST
...make it a good one
4473 Hanoverville Rd., Bethlehem, PA 18020 • 484.893.5000 Real Before and After Smiles from Cherry Orthodontics
4350 Independence Dr., Schnecksville, PA 18078 • 610.769.5100
CherryOrtho.com
care?continuity of
Navigating the health care world is By Linda Doell
confusing enough without having The personal touch in health care is
to worry if you’re going to be seen by a something that is near to the heart of Sokolowski worked in two group practices
different doctor. Dr. D’nese Sokolowski, Ob/Gyn. for almost four years before deciding to open
up her own practice in Allentown. For her, it
Research has shown that having continuity “The importance of staying with one was a logical choice to have a solo practice.
in care helps the patient in the long run with doctor for care becomes evident when
consistent health care. we talk about “hand-offs” in medicine, “I became frustrated trying to learn
whether that happens with each office everything about the patients as I walked into
According to survey data at the National visit or in the hospital when one person’s an exam room and had 10 minutes to spend
Institutes of Health’s National Library of shift ends and another person takes with them,” she says. “I was very thorough,
Medicine, patients said they were more over — there is always the possibility that but found that sometimes others were
satisfied with the health care they received something will get missed or forgotten not. I did not feel I was giving the best care
when there was continuity of care through when someone new takes over,” she possible by spending so much time reviewing
the same provider. Other research shows says. “A person’s medical record can be the chart and trying to determine whether
continuity of care may actually reduce health quite lengthy, and with the many time necessary tests had been completed to date.
care costs. Data showed that the more constraints on physicians sometimes Sometimes I would first meet a patient when
doctors a patient encountered generally the details may not get communicated. I walked into her room when she was about
meant a higher cost and more utilization of Sometimes these details are important — to deliver — there was no relationship there,
the health care system. medically or philosophically to the patient.” no earned trust. It was not the right model
for my practice of medicine.”
THEY’LL NOTICE William J. Cherry, D.M.D.
YOUR SMILE FIRST
...make it a good one
4473 Hanoverville Rd., Bethlehem, PA 18020 • 484.893.5000 Real Before and After Smiles from Cherry Orthodontics
4350 Independence Dr., Schnecksville, PA 18078 • 610.769.5100
CherryOrtho.com
