If You Offend the Patient, You Are Far More likely to be Sued;
Dealing with the Consequences of Obesity Discrimination

Barbara Thompson works with hospitals to reach their goals of high patient satisfaction. Her seminars qualify for continuing education credits

Content Overview

Over the past twenty years there has been a rising trend toward an empowerment of patients as consumers coupled with a concern for quality in healthcare. It has been well established that the more satisfied patients are with their care, the higher the chance of achieving positive patient outcomes. When patients have a positive experience, there is less chance of litigation. Positive patient outcomes also result in staff being more content in their profession with lower staff turnover. What a patient experiences, feels, believes, thinks, fears, and hopes about care cannot be separated from the actual outcome of their care.

One of the areas in which patient satisfaction can improve is with the obese patient. This population represents 52% of patients in most hospitals. It has been well documented that many healthcare workers discriminate against the obese and would prefer not caring for them at all. Whether this negative attitude is overt or oblique, patients are quite aware of the feelings of the healthcare worker, causing the patient to question procedures and directions.  

With the H-CAHPS patient satisfaction survey initiated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, patient satisfaction is increasing in importance as hospitals are being nationally rated and ranked according to how happy patients have been with their care. Patients will be given a financial break if they use more efficient care. Hospitals will be selected not only on the basis of discounts, but quality of care and patient satisfaction. This encourages the healthcare delivery system to excel in cost, quality, and patient satisfaction for all patients including the obese.

Through her speaking, Mrs. Thompson stresses the right for personal dignity at any weight. She speaks to hospital personnel about what the experience is like to be a morbidly obese patient. She speaks for hospitals who do not want their staff to put obese patients in danger by using inadequate equipment or embarrassing them by unknowingly making insensitive remarks. Her presentations are sensitive to the healthcare worker while directing them to what they need to do to give obese patients the very best care possible while making this fastest growing customer base feel comfortable.

Objectives

Upon completion of this program participants should be able to

·        Better understand the feelings of the obese patient

·        Consider whether obesity is a disease, human weakness or both

·        Recognize the prevalence of insulting remarks and discrimination among healthcare professionals

·        Recognize the effects and consequences of discrimination toward the obese patient

·        Consider more effective ways to treat obese patients

·        Better understand what to say and how to say it when treating obese patients

Testimonials

“Thank you for your outstanding presentation on patient satisfaction.  The information was vital for our hospital staff to understand especially with the upcoming H-CAHPS survey.  You were very easy to work with and helpful when we were processing the CEU paperwork.  I would strongly recommend you to any facility that is looking for an expert on this topic.”
Trudy L. Ivins
Nurse Educator
Memorial Hermann Memorial City Hospital