Conversations about financial difficulties are essential to quality healthcare, advocate says
A poverty tool used to identify financially challenged patients is being prescribed among physicians to help underprivileged patients.
Retired family doctor and wellness advocate Dr. Linda Dalpe has said that poverty needs to be considered in planning a patient’s care as it can present risks to their health, according to CBC News.
“If you take into account all the social detriments of health, poverty is the most important factor right now,” said the doctor, adding that almost 15% of New Brunswick families on average live with financial issues. In the Acadian Peninsula, where 20% of the population make less than $20,000 in revenue annually, the percentage can be higher.
People living in poverty are at greater risk of having chronic diseases like diabetes and heart attacks. They also have a greater tendency to suffer from mental health issues.
“Sometimes patients are having difficulties paying for medication, paying for food, [or] have issues with rent and we're not aware of it,” she told the news outlet. “And if we don't know, then it makes it harder for us and for our patients to have the best health possible.”
Since lack of money can be a delicate subject to discuss, it can be difficult for medical practitioners to become aware of their patients’ plight. To help with this problem, the New Brunswick Medical Society has announced the poverty tool, which doctors can use to bridge the gap between poverty and helping patients get the aid they need.
“It's really having the relationship with our patients and asking the questions, [such as] ‘do you have problems making ends meet?’”
If patients answer “yes” to the first question, then they may be connected to community resources. They may then get assistance with tax forms so that they know what benefits and breaks they are entitled to.
“[The tool is] really for anybody that is in contact with patients and in helping that person in their health care,” said Dr. Dalpe. Aside from doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses in clinics, and pharmacists can use the tool.
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Retired family doctor and wellness advocate Dr. Linda Dalpe has said that poverty needs to be considered in planning a patient’s care as it can present risks to their health, according to CBC News.
“If you take into account all the social detriments of health, poverty is the most important factor right now,” said the doctor, adding that almost 15% of New Brunswick families on average live with financial issues. In the Acadian Peninsula, where 20% of the population make less than $20,000 in revenue annually, the percentage can be higher.
People living in poverty are at greater risk of having chronic diseases like diabetes and heart attacks. They also have a greater tendency to suffer from mental health issues.
“Sometimes patients are having difficulties paying for medication, paying for food, [or] have issues with rent and we're not aware of it,” she told the news outlet. “And if we don't know, then it makes it harder for us and for our patients to have the best health possible.”
Since lack of money can be a delicate subject to discuss, it can be difficult for medical practitioners to become aware of their patients’ plight. To help with this problem, the New Brunswick Medical Society has announced the poverty tool, which doctors can use to bridge the gap between poverty and helping patients get the aid they need.
“It's really having the relationship with our patients and asking the questions, [such as] ‘do you have problems making ends meet?’”
If patients answer “yes” to the first question, then they may be connected to community resources. They may then get assistance with tax forms so that they know what benefits and breaks they are entitled to.
“[The tool is] really for anybody that is in contact with patients and in helping that person in their health care,” said Dr. Dalpe. Aside from doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses in clinics, and pharmacists can use the tool.
Related stories:
Ottawa facing court action over denied dental claim
NDP, Tories call for increased healthcare funding for First Nations and Inuit youth
