As suggested by the word ‘comprehensive’ (means all inclusive), Comprehensive patient care refers to one of the most popular and effective approaches in the healthcare, which provides that it is very important to consider the big picture of the patient’s health. This implies that instead of focusing upon any one of the specific issues, patients’ health must be viewed from a broader perspective. This enables the healthcare providers and diagnostics to know about the complete medical condition of the patient and during the facilitation of health care, consider the risk factors such as family history, past medical history, and unhealthy lifestyle etc. so that to prevent or control the problems before they befall.
Importance of prevention:
Prevention is the best cure. This statement is the major focus of comprehensive patient care approach. If diagnosed in early stages, a number of diseases or medical problems can be treated or controlled effectively. If remained unattended, smaller issues can develop to become more complex and difficult to manage. Delayed diagnosis often misses the opportunity for simpler treatments resulting in much worse outcomes.
Another major benefit of implying comprehensive health is the cost-effectiveness. It is generally cheaper to treat a medical condition in its early stages or even prevent the occurrence than allowing for progress. For instances, heart attacks or strokes are much cheaper to prevent than to treat.
Alarming situation:
Research provides that between 2015 and 2020, Medicare have become insolvent which is a matter of concern for all. Many progressed nations of the world have implemented preventative medicine as a major approach in their health care system and it has proved to be the most effective and cost-effective approach to ensure optimum health care. Hence, in every way comprehensive care is an excellent concept.
Experience shows that routine maintenance is considered as the best investment in terms of valuable goods. Our bodies work in the same way. As a disease progresses, the chances of treatment decrease while costing of treatment increase. In many cases, by the time symptoms start appearing, irreversible damage has been done. Therefore, modern medicine sternly stresses being proactive rather than reactive.