Professional Q&A With John Whyte, MD

As WebMD’s chief medical officer, John Whyte, MD, is in a novel place to see each the present state of medical look after America’s older adults and the best way issues are trending for the longer term. We requested him to share his perception on a couple of matters, together with a bit of recommendation.

WebMD: What are a few of the largest entry to well being care points dealing with older adults at this time?

JW: Value, transportation, and high quality of care stay a few of the largest points with regards to well being look after older adults. Medicare doesn’t cowl 100% of prices, and lots of sufferers battle to pay for his or her prescriptions and physician payments. Consequently, generally they don’t go to the physician as typically as they should, and sometimes they will’t refill their prescriptions. Lack of enough transportation has made it troublesome for a lot of older adults to obtain care — they merely can’t get to their appointments. As older adults develop extra well being situations and their time with the physician will get shorter and shorter, it may be troublesome to handle all their well being care wants. Consequently, it may be onerous to maintain situations like diabetes and blood strain below management.

WebMD: How will know-how change the best way older adults entry well being care inside the subsequent decade?

JW: Everybody, together with older adults, must grow to be extra tech-savvy when participating with the well being care system. Digital instruments, comparable to sensors and trackers, have gotten extra helpful in managing these situations, like diabetes and hypertension, that brief workplace visits don’t at all times give us time to handle. Digital actuality instruments will even grow to be extra widespread. On condition that many individuals didn’t develop up with all these applied sciences, it would make entry to well being care harder for some teams. We want to ensure everybody — particularly older adults — has entry to improvements that can enhance their expertise with the well being care system and result in higher outcomes.

WebMD: How will COVID-19 change the character of doctor-patient interplay?

JW: Within the short-term, COVID-19 has had monumental influence on the doctor-patient relationship. Immediately virtually each go to was a digital go to. Sadly, in some circumstances, each the physician and the affected person weren’t adequately ready for this abrupt change. Many individuals had been disregarded utterly or acquired lower than optimum care. However the information isn’t all unhealthy. For others, it was a option to convey the physician to them, as a substitute of them having to go to the physician. Expertise may help us remedy a few of these transportation points I referred to above. As we transfer into “the brand new regular,” I feel the vast majority of physician visits might be in-person, however telehealth will play a a lot bigger position. I additionally suppose we’ll see extra companies delivered immediately within the residence. 

WebMD: What’s the No. 1 piece of recommendation you’d give to a affected person or caregiver about the best way to efficiently work together with the well being care system?

JW: Whether or not you’re a self-advocate or caring for another person, a profitable interplay with the well being care system requires persistence. Everyone knows the phrase, “the squeaky wheel will get the grease.” Typically it’s a must to be a that squeaky wheel. The well being care system could be very difficult to navigate. There are a variety of laws than can influence your entry to care, and they are often complicated. Typically your method doesn’t work the primary time. So you have to maintain at it when accessing sure companies, and you have to converse up. There’s additionally an fascinating dynamic with older adults with regards to well being care: They typically say they don’t wish to trouble their physician, or they wish to be a “good affected person.” We now have to assist them perceive that being an excellent affected person or an excellent advocate for another person means getting what you have to ensure you get high quality care.

WebMD: In the event you had been speaking to a liked one over 70, what’s the No. 1 piece of well being care recommendation you’ll give them with regard to caring for themselves?

JW: It’s by no means too late to reap the advantages of a wholesome life-style. In the event you smoke, give up. In the event you aren’t bodily lively, begin slowly — even when it means merely not sitting as a lot all through the day. Being lively doesn’t imply having to go to the fitness center. There’s quite a bit you are able to do at residence. Check out what you’re consuming and begin to deal with meals as drugs. It may be as highly effective as a prescription drug — and in some circumstances, it could show you how to do away with a couple of medicine you’re taking. Lastly, hearken to your physique. Once you don’t really feel good, examine in together with your physician.