Patient education is a process that begins with the first encounter and continues throughout the physician-patient relationship. Engaging and informing them is a continual challenge.

As the initial panic around Ebola declines, we have time to reflect on what changes should be made to the care provided in the physician office setting, clinic or urgent care.  With the flu season poking its head around the corner many physicians and office staff ponder the need for additional vigilance in their daily practice. 

Patients come in many shapes and sizes. So do their complaints – from the seemingly trivial to the ones that will obviously trigger a malpractice lawsuit. A practice that masters the management and methods of complaint resolution is ahead of game in avoiding grievances, medical board complaints, or worse, the courtroom.

There are multiple descriptions and definitions of transition of care, and a wide variety of models designed to improve the process.

In Part 1 of The Post Hospitalization Conundrum, I noted that research consistently shows that ineffective management of care transitions poses risks to patients. In Part 2, we look at three models and approaches to care management and their outcomes.