People who smoke or are overweight are increasingly being helped by general practitioners, practice assistants and hospitals. They do this in collaboration with other healthcare organizations and local institutions. However, according to the Healthcare and Youth Inspectorate (IGJ), the increased attention to this could be improved: not everyone receives the support needed to live a healthier life and more attention is also needed for vulnerable people. Healthcare providers need better insight into the regional supply, which requires more cooperation. IGJ reports this.
More than half of the population is overweight and 18 percent smoke. These percentages are slightly higher in the regions of Almelo/Twenterand, around Heerlen and around Emmen. Healthcare providers have the ambition to help their patients and clients lead healthier lives. They talk about this in the consultation room and patients and clients usually appreciate that too. Discussions about this appear to be more difficult among people with a lower income, lower education level or fewer health skills.
Information exchange
If healthcare providers have a better overview of the total range of lifestyle guidance in the region, they can better respond to the wishes and needs of their patients and clients. There are also more opportunities for the various organizations to work together more and better, for example by better exchange of information and making agreements about who is responsible for aftercare in the event of a relapse. Clients should experience fewer obstacles, such as the deductible, waiting lists and travel distances, when wanting to lose weight or quit smoking.
By: National Healthcare Guide
Tags: Health care pays attention quitting smoking room improvement
