BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Undergoing surgery or a medical procedure can be stressful, especially when individuals don’t know what to expect. Patients often have questions that, when unanswered, can leave them feeling nervous, unprepared, and overwhelmed. To address this common occurrence, Health Dialog today launched the HD Care CompassTM tool, a web and mobile site to help patients who have chosen a surgery or medical test better plan and prepare for the procedure.
Developed by an editorial team of doctors and nurses, the HD Care CompassTM offering is designed to provide the resources a patient needs before, during, and after a procedure. It anticipates the questions patients may have but don’t always ask, such as: What can I do in advance to improve the safety of a procedure? What happens at the facility on the day of the procedure? Will it be painful? Can I eat? How long does recovery take?
"Medical procedures stir up an understandable level of anxiety for many patients,” said James Slover, MD, a clinical reviewer of the HD Care CompassTM resource and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at New York University (NYU). “A surgery itself is just a small part of the care process that must be addressed for full recovery. Any tool that helps patients develop appropriate expectations before as well as after surgery will significantly calm nerves and give them the best chance for achieving optimal results by allowing them to be as prepared as possible for the whole experience."
The HD Care CompassTM tool initially will be available through a public release and will contain information for seven procedures selected for high prevalence including cardiac catheterization, gall bladder surgery, knee replacement, hip replacement, colonoscopy, surgical breast biopsy, and needle breast biopsy. As National Breast Cancer Awareness month approaches in October, Health Dialog is pleased to offer these resources to women and their families who may be facing a diagnosis. Further topics will be added to the HD Care CompassTM site in coming months. Importantly, the site will also feature a regularly updated blog, with contributions from healthcare professionals and activated healthcare consumers. The blog will expand upon the HD Care CompassTM tool topics and provide unique insight on how individuals can further participate in their own healthcare.
“Knowing what to expect about a surgery, test, or medical procedure can significantly lessen levels of anxiety for a patient and their family,” said Peter Goldbach, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Health Dialog. “The HD Care CompassTM site is yet another way in which we are encouraging individuals to become informed and active participants in their healthcare. When patients understand their conditions, and have a clear grasp of what will happen as part of a medical procedure, they become more present in their own care and gain the confidence they need to manage through a trying time.”
To view the HD Care CompassTM website from your laptop or mobile device please visit www.hdcarecompass.com.
About Health Dialog:
Health Dialog Services Corporation is a leading provider of healthcare analytics and decision support. The firm is a private, wholly-owned subsidiary of Bupa, a global provider of healthcare services. Health Dialog helps healthcare payors improve healthcare quality while reducing overall costs. Company offerings include health coaching for medical decisions, chronic conditions, and wellness; population analytic solutions; and consulting services. Health Dialog helps individuals participate in their own healthcare decisions, develop more effective relationships with their physicians, and live healthier, happier lives. For more information, visit www.healthdialog.com.