Chapter: 2.1 What information is needed by the Patients/Relatives?

What information is needed by the Patients/Relatives?

•    In a large number of cases, patients/ relatives are not aware about the nature of the disease, its seriousness and how he would get relief. It is their foremost desire to know about the nature of illness and how soon he would become normal.
•    The patient is also interested to know what investigations are needed to arrive at the diagnosis. He is also interested to know whether the investigations are really needed because each investigation puts extra financial burden on him or some investigations especially the invasive procedures are painful and carry some risks. If given a chance, the patient may like to skip the test.
•    The patient wants to know the plan of the treatment whether he can take treatment as an OPD patient or he requires admission. Many patients wants to avoid the admission as they feel more secure in their home in the company of their family members.
•    The patient wants to know the duration of treatment as he has got other commitments/ obligations to fulfill. For a daily wage worker, every single day is important as his livelihood and that of the family members depends on his earning. He may prefer to suffer rather than forego the income. In case of dignitaries and other important personalities, the national/ international events are at stake.
•    The patient is interested to know about the effectiveness of drugs, drug reactions and side effects of the drug. He wants to know how the drugs should be taken, how frequently, medium with which the drug is to be taken, whether the drug can be taken orally instead of taking an injection. A patient, who is advised to take chemotherapy, wants to know whether drug will harm his normal system.
•    When an operation is advised, the patient wants to know about the timing of the operation, what type of anaesthesia will be given, the name of the surgeon who will perform the operation, duration of operation, risks involved, when the patient will come out of anaesthesia, what kind of restrictions will be imposed during post operative period, any complications residue effects after the surgery etc.
•    The patient wants to know whether operation can be avoided. Is there an alternative to the operation? What are the risks if the operation is not done? Are there remedies in other systems of medicine? Who is the most competent person in the alternative system of medicine?
•    For invasive and latest investigative procedures, the patient wants to know its utility, risk factor, how it will help in the management of the disease, the cost factor.
•    Patient wants to know the success rate of a particular mode of treatment including surgery.
•    Any long term physical/ mental handicap as a result of the treatment.
•    Full details of blood transfusion, whether required blood is available, who can donate the blood, whether blood bank can supply the blood, risks of mismatch transfusion, HIV, other diseases.
•    The patient also wants to know about the rules and regulations of the hospital. Which include visiting hours, payment of advance, final settlement of bills, bringing food from home, whether attendant is allowed to stay in the ward etc.