Earlier today in a White House Rose Garden ceremony, President Barack Obama nominated Dr. Regina Benjamin to serve as the next Surgeon General of the United States. By all accounts, she is a qualified doctor who is exceptionally dedicated to her patients in Bayou La Batre, Ala. (yes, Forest Gump fans the same shrimping community Bubba was from). But what position will Dr. Benjamin take on exercise, prevention and wellness?
As the fitness industry, we hope that the Surgeon General will make use of the high profile of her office to shed light on the impact that a healthy lifestyle can have on the health of all Americans. Bush's Surgeon General, Dr. Richard Carmona was a proponent of healthy lifestyles, he even spoke at an IHRSA Convention a few years back. Acting Surgeon General Dr. Steven Galson, has also promoted exercise and been a friend to the issue, especially during the release of the Physical Activity Guidelines.
According to Obama's statement today, "[Dr. Benjamin]'s been a relentless promoter of prevention and wellness programs, having treated too many costly and -- diseases and complications that didn't have to happen." This is great, but given her focus on rural health care one has to wonder how will so many important areas of health care be handled by a small staff with a limited budget. Coming from Alabama, Dr. Benjamin must be keenly familiar with the impact of a sedentary lifestyle. The Trust for America's Health reported earlier this month that Alabama has the second highest adult obesity rate in the nation at over 31% of the adult population. That is a shocking statistic.
I am curious to learn if Dr. Benjamin led efforts in her community to increase physical activity and improve eating habits. If so, she could very well become a powerful role model for the changes that need to occur in our communities that are hardest hit by the obesity epidemic. Only time will tell.
Dr. Benjamin said during her statement that she wants to become America's family physician. I hope that she and all family physicians across America start to better advise their patients on the importance of regular exercise and healthy diets.
- Breanne McGahey
Showing posts with label physicians. Show all posts
Showing posts with label physicians. Show all posts
Monday, July 13, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Duke U. New Medical Team - What it's missing
Duke University recently decided to tackle the issue of why more people are seeking treatment in hospital ER's even when they have access to primary care providers. They asked patients two questions: What isn't working for you? and What could we do better? Then they listened. The changes made to the Duke Family Practice Medical Offices, focusing on decreasing waiting time and increasing service, sound great. Patients can interact with the office online, know if they are going to have to wait and how long, but most importantly they created a new type of medical team.
Each team has a physician, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, and physicians assistants. It's an interesting concept and one that cold provide tremendous benefits, especially for the patients at most risk in our health care system.
When I was watching the segment on the NBC Nightly News, I was struck by the forward thinking of the changes but also I couldn't help but wonder, what if the teams also had nutritionists and personal trainers? If these teams could help people actually implement lifestyle changes it could make them healthier, and as a result, require less medical care.
The clip showed a patient who was overweight. The doctor was listening to her carotid artery and another member of the team was reminding her to skip the salt on food. The woman likely has cardiovascular issues. The team approach will probably help her but imagine the difference if there were a nutritionist that could show her proper portion sizes, what kinds of foods to purchase at the grocery store and how to cook delicious and healthy recipes. Now imagine that there were a personal trainer that could show this woman simple ways to to start building exercise into her life. Helping her learn how to strength train and start a cardio regimen. The results would be far beyond what a reminder to pass on the salt could ever bring about.
There are stories all the time about people whose doctors tell them they need to eat better and exercise. Somewhere between the doctor's office and the patients home that advice falls short. Many people simply don't know how to change their habits to lead a healthier life. It's not their fault, but they don't know where to gain that knowledge. If the medical community took steps to build a bridge between what patients are doing and what they should be doing, there could be an incredible change in the health of our nation. There is a role here for the fitness industry and it's up to the passionate people in this community to make it a reality.
- Breanne McGahey
Each team has a physician, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, and physicians assistants. It's an interesting concept and one that cold provide tremendous benefits, especially for the patients at most risk in our health care system.
When I was watching the segment on the NBC Nightly News, I was struck by the forward thinking of the changes but also I couldn't help but wonder, what if the teams also had nutritionists and personal trainers? If these teams could help people actually implement lifestyle changes it could make them healthier, and as a result, require less medical care.
The clip showed a patient who was overweight. The doctor was listening to her carotid artery and another member of the team was reminding her to skip the salt on food. The woman likely has cardiovascular issues. The team approach will probably help her but imagine the difference if there were a nutritionist that could show her proper portion sizes, what kinds of foods to purchase at the grocery store and how to cook delicious and healthy recipes. Now imagine that there were a personal trainer that could show this woman simple ways to to start building exercise into her life. Helping her learn how to strength train and start a cardio regimen. The results would be far beyond what a reminder to pass on the salt could ever bring about.
There are stories all the time about people whose doctors tell them they need to eat better and exercise. Somewhere between the doctor's office and the patients home that advice falls short. Many people simply don't know how to change their habits to lead a healthier life. It's not their fault, but they don't know where to gain that knowledge. If the medical community took steps to build a bridge between what patients are doing and what they should be doing, there could be an incredible change in the health of our nation. There is a role here for the fitness industry and it's up to the passionate people in this community to make it a reality.
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- Breanne McGahey
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