The Rise of Preventative Medicine

Access to information has done great things for people’s health and awareness of their treatment options for conditions they may have thought to be incurable. With the ability to look up possible illnesses just by entering in symptoms and other easy-to-understand information, it’s possible for a patient to have an idea of what they may be dealing with. While some feared this increase in information accessibility, because they thought it might drive patients to attempt dangerous, untested, or unmonitored home remedies that may very well worsen their situations, it has generally made it easier for health care professionals to work with those under their care. Patients who care about their health can come to an appointment understanding what their symptoms mean and have a greater medical literacy because of the information they’ve read. This allows patients to be spoken to in clear, concise terms instead of forcing medical professionals to create examples that may not express the costs or risks of a treatment option. There has also been the fear that the rise in internet access and stable connections meant that visits to your practitioner would cease, instead we’ve seen push-back from insurers and companies; while a tele-visit can be useful, it denies your medical care provider the ability to inspect you in-person, which is a critical element of the process. Rather than technology destroying the traditional medical practice, we’ve instead seen it enhance it in several ways and one of the greatest ways has been the increase in preventative visits.

Insurance companies, and medical practitioners, have advocated preventative visits for decades as a more effective way of taking care of yourself. Illnesses and issues are easier to treat the less advanced they are, and the additional time allows for more options to be explored in case something doesn’t work for a particular patient. Year after year, we’ve seen in a drop in ER visits and a corresponding increase in visits to normal medical facilities instead as patients use the information they’ve been given to make better decisions about their health. At Columbia Wellness we welcome the wealth of information that has been provided and we use it in the most constructive way possible. Our website is full of information about our treatment plans, facilities, and staff so that patients can come through our doors well-informed and comfortable with the knowledge that we provide world-class care. We’ve been able to treat patients earlier and earlier as they become aware of their problems, habits, or symptoms and seek out effective treatment options. Mental health is like any other illness and being proactive about taking care of yourself is the best way to keep your mind fit and healthy. Remember, your mind is the only one you’ve got; it’s important that you provide the best possible care and that care is available at Columbia Wellness. Whether you’re coming in for a check-up, proactive visit, or emergency care we’ll be there to help you understand what the issue is and work with you to get you back on your feet.