Medical research: Providing answers for patients, providers

<p>Static displays, information kiosks and process improvement poster-boards are just a few ways Naval Hospital Bremerton promotes beneficiaries into furthering their own knowledge in helping to improve their health and wellness.</p>
April 01, 2015
April 01, 2015 0

By Douglas H. Stutz

NHB Public Affairs

Navy Medicine’s communication theme for the month of March was "Medical Research" and at Naval Hospital Bremerton, research by doctors, nurses and hospital corpsmen is fostered and encouraged.

There are also dedicated staff members who in their work with beneficiaries advance the case of adding research to their treatment, although with a caveat in regards to personal treatment plans with their patients.

Aimee Aldendorf, NHB clinical health educator, advocates for her patients to take time to do research to help further their understanding of such health conditions as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and weight control. 

“It’s getting our patients to be engaged and empowered for their own good, their own health, and their own wellness. Research can help. Patients are more successful in achieving their goals when they are ready to make changes. I find that if most patients have the tools, knowledge, and resources to makes changes, they will. Doing a little research is one of the first steps to make lasting lifestyle behavior changes,” said Aldendorf.

There is a flipside to personal research. It can impede an already improved treatment plan. Just as each patient is unique, each care plan is specifically tailored for them.

“Research and associated guidelines are used to help make appropriate treatment plans,” Aldendorf said. “Yet when a patient does their own research or talks to their peers and then implements changes, it can cause a lot of confusion and prevent them from being successful in managing their condition. It is strongly recommended to always talk to your primary care manager if you have any questions or make changes to your treatment plan after reading up on something.”

Aldendorf notes that a patient can engage in doing their own medical research to help their own cause. There are a number of recommended outlets available. Multiple online resources are a key stroke away and there is an opportunity for every beneficiary to get involved in researching their way to improving their health. There are even sites set up to directly support such personally focused research needs, such as RelayHealth and Nurse Advice Line.

“If a patient could do their own medical research I recommend going to reputable sites such as the American Diabetes Association, Centers of Disease Control, or National Institutes of Health. Patients should also always talk with their PCM before making any change.  RelayHealth is a great tool to electronically correspond with your PCM. Patients who do their own research gain further understanding of a condition they are dealing with. Research also helps to clarify and reinforce things they have been told or learned in the past,” said Aldendorf. 

Aldendorf also recommends keeping a record to help the research process. There are free websites and apps available to track food and exercise intake.

“I always recommend patients keep a food and exercise journal. Journals help patients become aware of what they are currently doing.  After the patient has awareness they can make recommended changes from the nutritionist or PCM. I recommend finding a free website and app that they like the best because then they will be more likely to use it more,” said Aldendorf.   

Aldendorf, who has been at NHB for eight years, educates and facilitates patients in making and sustaining lasting lifestyle behavior changes. She teaches patients how to self manage, empowers them to be successful, and supports them along the continuum of change. 

“In doing so, I assist patients with setting goals, creating a plan to self manage, identify and strategize pathways to overcome barriers, and refer patients to community support resources such as our health promotion classes, nutritionists, and other similar supports groups. When patients are ready to make changes the process becomes simplified,” she said.

Along with the trend of supporting patients to further their own knowledge via research, as has been the case in the past, medical research has been a proven and insightful avenue to help advance Navy Medicine.

As Lt. Cmdr. Sara Pope, of NHB’s Puget Sound Family Medicine Residency program notes, research is considered a pivotal part of what she does as a faculty physician.

“Research is key to answering all those 'why and how' questions we have. Why should I give this patient medication A instead of medication B? How can I avoid my patient having to stay out of the hospital? Why do vaccines work?  Research feeds into our curiosities as human beings. It's how we learn ... by experimenting, researching and finding answers to curious questions,” said Pope.

Pope cites that the most difficult aspect of research is finding the needed time to actually sit down and do it. But the benefits make the time invested well worthwhile.

“Research is gratifying because of how much knowledge you gain from the process. You might pick up some new clinical knowledge, but I feel as though the most bang for your buck is in the process,” she said.

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