Motivated by the belief that “people don’t buy
what
you do, they buy
why
you do it,” communication wellness experts emphasize research-based education of their patients, fellow healthcare providers and local community. With
whole-person care
a public health policy imperative, comorbidity education raises awareness of how medical conditions relate to one another. While crucial for all healthcare specialists to lead in their area of expertise, the hearing health profession is uniquely positioned to do so.
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What percentage of those needing to know are properly informed about how hearing loss relates to dementia, diabetes, heart disease, fall risk, vision loss, cognitive decline, kidney disease, ototoxicity and many other medical conditions? Do we estimate 50%, 25%, 10% or less? If this actuality does not meet
best practices standards necessary to elevate the profession
, who will facilitate progress? Is anyone better positioned than you to play this essential role? These provocative questions should inspire industry experts dedicated to helping more patients make well-informed decisions.
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Further, as you are all too aware, by helping patients to hear better, you help them communicate more effectively with
all
healthcare providers. Please see these highlights from a noteworthy International Journal of Audiology article:
The Critical Role of Hearing in Health Literacy.
In these integral contexts, ongoing COVID-19 struggles will continue teaching us, again, about the significance of scientific discovery. As we admire healthcare heroes on the frontlines daily, think about talented researchers who devote years and careers to publish peer-reviewed research of high integrity. As data speaks, we should listen, learn, understand and skillfully guide others to benefit similarly. While translational research in academia typically refers to sharing between the “lab and clinic”, how can we
amplify our influence
by intuitively sharing educational wisdom in well-respected peer-to-peer and patient-friendly ways?
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As a matter of fact, trusted comorbidity educators must be committed to, perhaps even passionate about, gaining more knowledge about
nuanced relationships between respective medical topics and hearing loss
. For example, by studying the relationship between hearing loss and fall risk. Invest time to “learn the pearls” about how hearing loss increases fall risk, falls increase risk of hip fractures and hip fractures are closely associated with many negative outcomes, including accelerated morbidity.
Just as you treat hearing loss in a diagnostically-driven and evidence-based manner, there are fellow healthcare professionals interested in research focused on reducing their patients’ fall risk. While we learn how social distancing helps mitigate COVID 19’s spread, lets imagine, with this example, how nurturing closer whole person care collaborations can
“spread the word”
about comorbidity education which improves quality of life for so many depending on us.
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Ponder the 100’s or 1000’s of times you’ve discussed lifestyle goals and treatment plans with patients. By encouraging and supporting their healthy behavior change, you change their world for the better. By way of analogy, what are your goals and “treatment plans” for comorbidity education in practice, community and online? Are your best outcomes validated and assured, or might there be proven strategies which fit better? With
communication wellness goals
top of mind, I’m eager to provide logical constructs that shape productive pathways to educational excellence.
I welcome your important feedback and opportunity to talk about hearing health comorbidities. While we discuss details of those inter-relationships, this will be a fun catalyst to build ours.
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Bruce Essman
CEO
High Definition Impressions (HDI)
bruce@hdimpressions.com
314.276.7392
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