India is set to celebrate the 78th Independence Day and it is a day to reflect upon the multiple kinds of freedom we enjoy be it social, economic, or digital, and acknowledge the collective efforts that made it possible. Amongst these moments of joy and liberation, there is one more freedom that is probably the most valuable and crucial and which we tend to mostly overlook. It is the freedom from the limitations and constraints of an illness and the consequent pain and suffering. This year let us take a moment to think about whether we have achieved this freedom and if not, what are we missing.
Dr Mona Bhat a homeopath from Ahmedabad says that people usually look for quick fixes for relieving the symptoms of an ailment and once the symptoms subside, they tend to discontinue the prescribed dosage which may lead to a relapse. She insists that decreasing symptoms is not complete recovery.
Dr Hussian Baldiwala a cardiac surgeon from Baroda agrees with Dr Bhat. He says that many of his patients who have had cardiac surgeries after discharge are unable to maintain the same care that was given in a hospital. This results in the patients developing complications and readmission to the hospital.
Arefa Ali a physiotherapist adds that it is no breaking news that a lot of people who have had knee replacements or other ortho surgeries fail to keep up with the physio exercises needed at home and end up with multiple issues.
Addressing the gap
So where is the gap?
The gap is people skipping an important step between hospital and home which is crucial for complete and optimal recovery.
It is called the continuum of care.
A concept well accepted in the West but not as popular back home as people fail to realize its importance and its significant role in the recovery from an illness.
For those still new to the concept, continuum care as the name suggests is the continuation of proper and required medical, physical, and emotional care a person needs after they are discharged from the hospital. It serves as a bridge between the hospital and home helping the person stabilize so that when they go home they or their family can manage their condition without any complications and relapses.
Continuum care includes all the aspects a person needs to recover optimally. The care offers medical care, physical therapy, dietary support, counseling, and alternative therapies like laughter and music that enable a person to cope with their condition very effectively. The care is given by skilled and experienced doctors, nurses, caregivers, dietitians, and counselors who are available around the clock to ensure the person is well taken care of.
Why don’t people choose continuum care?
“The first thing I can think of is that many people are still unaware of this concept and the services available in our country,” says Dr Behram Jijiboy a senior neurosurgeon from Mumbai. Dr. Jijiboy adds that hospitals and specialists must inform the patients who are being discharged from the hospital that they need to opt for continuum care for complete recovery before they go home and can resume their normal routine.
Dr Tasneem Soni a physician from Houston US says that people worry about the additional cost of continuum care. However, the doctor points out that the cost of a relapse and readmission is much more than the cost of a continuum of care and it may also cost a person’s life in the worst-case scenario.
Back home many people feel that letting their loved ones stay in continuum care means that they don’t care enough and are shunning their responsibilities. However, they must know that they aren’t qualified healthcare professionals who can impart specialized care to the patient for proper recovery at all times. Unfortunately, families fail to accept their human limitations and with their traditional mindset end up harming the patient unintentionally and themselves instead of helping.
The way forward
All one needs to conquer an illness is proper care and the right mindset says Dr Soni. She wishes to ask everyone a pertinent question as to why they choose to spend on other commodities instead of health when nothing can be enjoyed in the absence of good health.
And we wish to reiterate the same. Optimal recovery is all about claiming your freedom this Independence Day from any health restriction posed by an illness by adopting a positive mindset and prioritizing proper care.
We urge you to remember that recovery is not the destination. It is a process, a journey that takes you toward a better life. And this Independence Day you need to make a commitment to yourself and to your loved ones to embrace complete recovery to be able to enjoy life to the fullest.
