Last month I had the pleasure of receiving an advanced review copy of "resilience: 10 Sanity-Saving strategies for women to deal with the stress of chronic diseases". How to read the book, I took note of many issues that are relevant for public health professionals. Therefore, it is a pleasure to have Danish Horn expand reviews these issues for readers of health Pop.
If you want to connect with Danish, you can visit their website or Twitter.
Leah: In public health, talk a lot about the "culture" of our society can promote or damage health. Several places in his book, talks about the connection between our social values and our health. For example:
Page 33: "our culture is part of the reason that we try to be all things to all people." You have sat through a business meeting while someone is Sniffling and sneezing and others to its cold exposed to? At that time they are valuing achievement, money or aspects of their health and that of others in the room. "
How can extend beyond the individual level strategies? How we can identify and we live our values of health in the neighborhood, the community and the levels of organization?
Danish: Only takes one person to start a conversation that can become the catalyst for major changes. He begins to talk to the people in your work and in your community to get an idea of what is currently valued. (Written and unwritten) policies in our offices and our fellowship articles will say much about what value collectively. If you find inconsistency or confusion in their conversations, open a dialogue with the leaders of your organization or community to discuss what you want to choose collectively to value. From here you may think together ways to influence change. They can be small changes such as create a block of healthy lifestyle of the party where people share nutritious dishes and exchange good recipes for you or larger changes sick pay (that is not mandatory in all States... yet). Never be afraid to speak. A big issue in chronic resilience are controlling what you can control and talking in their control.
Leah: In Chapter #6, you write "is up to you to decide how public to make your health." Several of the women interviewed for his book have blogs that document his journey of health in a very public way. Researchers in public health Ressler et al (2012) have identified many benefits the patient blogging (e.g., patients report a decrease in feelings of isolation).
Benefits have as a consequence the writing about your health? What challenges have you found the process of publicly sharing your story?
Danish: Writing helps me process what is happening from a different perspective. I am all about learning from our challenges, for each post I write is a search for a lesson or a message to me to my diagnosis points. I feel frustration about the progression of the disease and begin to write a rant, but it seems to me that of course ended with a message about my ideals or acceptance. Reformulate my health in this way has been very empowering.
Not met with many challenges with my trip in public health. Commentators have been a great support. That said, I'm picky about what I want to share, and keep some things private. I know other people have faced challenges and someone who should be prepared blogs publicly about their health, they are people that share resources, treatment recommendations, panacea solutions and pleas to have faith in a deity may or may not believe in. While these all come from a memorable place feel intrusive. Also, you may want to give a notice to close relatives and friends before publishing something particularly revealing, emotional or otherwise, which are not shared with them privately first.
There are a number of ways to take advantage of writing about his health. So publicly on a blog can create a sense of community and support, but if it feels very invasive, it can join the support forums anonymously, create a private blog or journal of pen and paper, old-school style.
Leah: In the chapter #7 ("empower yourself with the investigation"), was happy to see the emphasis on helping patients to assess the validity and safety of medical information on the Internet. This is a great challenge in public health. Our messages based on evidence and guidelines often competircon in line with anecdotal evidence and scientific studies.
Why did you decide to devote a portion of his book to this debate? Why is it so important for patients to discuss what are in line with your medical team?
Danish: Before I became to discern about what I read on the Internet about my diagnosis, I was completely stressed out. I have read way too too many random supplies to properly resolve what they should believe. I also note that was looking for how it would be worse (side effects, complications and progression of disease) rather than seek how could support my Heath. Fortunately, I realized my stress most came concern created by endless searching the Internet, and decided to take a different approach.
I have found some sources of trust of doctors and nutritionists to study and apply. I decided to concentrate on my personal symptoms, medications and prognosis instead of what other people who even did not personally know that they had experienced. I also started a more open dialogue with doctors about the diet I wanted to try and some of the studies they had read. When we investigate and experiment with our health without informing our doctors have conflicting approaches that can create drug interactions or other harmful complications. The doctors are there to support us. If you are uncomfortable talking to yours, is time to find one that you trust enough to be completely open and honest with. Everyone should have a doctor who will work with us to find treatment solutions with which we are comfortable.
Leah: A big thank you to Danish to make time for health Pop! "Chronic resilience" is a great read for those with a personal or professional connection to a chronic disease. For the doctors of public health, professionals and researchers working in the field of chronic disease: I think that you will get a unique view of firsthand (1) the mental, physical and emotional challenges affecting this population, (2) the incredible resistance showing those with chronic diseases on a daily basis (what can we learn from them??) and (3) specific strategies that can be used to help patients with chronic diseases. As Danish and I discussed earlier, these strategies have the potential to expand on an individual level to provide support to communities.
No comments:
Post a Comment