Life-threatening issues are no laughing matter, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t talk about them. Chronic diseases like cancer can have a detrimental effect on a patient’s emotional and mental health, just as mental well-being can strongly influence a patient’s response to treatment and recovery.
Strong doctor-patient communication is essential to ensure the physical, mental and emotional well-being of the patient. All doctors are required to effectively communicate pertinent medical information their patients, however it can be a challenge to increase engagement with the patient. Fear and discomfort also hinder patients from expressing their questions and concerns about their emotional and mental health.
WhatsMyM3, powered by M3 Clinician is a mental health screen that offers a solution. The screen can be completed on a smartphone, tablet or computer in about three minutes. After answering the questions the participant is given a number based on his or her measured responses. The lower the score, the better your mental health. The higher the score, the more likely the your responses are clinically relevant and are having a negative impact on quality of life. Barbara, a woman who has resiliently battled cancer on and off for over thirty years, found WhatsMyM3, “easy to work with and user friendly, even for someone with a low computer proficiency.”
What does this mean for doctor-patient communication? The WhatsMyM3 score serves as an icebreaker, streamlining open communication by creating an opportunity for doctors to discuss the results of the screen, see how the patient is feeling and address any questions the patient may have. Thus, WhatsMyM3 effectively lays the groundwork for patients to voice their questions and concerns about their emotional well being on a regular basis, while simultaneously giving doctors a chance to connect with their patients by showing they care.
WhatsMyM3 is a groundbreaking tool not only because it benefits doctor-patient communication, but because the tool is quick and cost-efficient. Using technology like WhatsMyM3 to monitor and boost mental and emotional wellbeing gives patients just that much more control over their life-threatening illness, while also allowing them to foster a communicative relationship with his or her doctor.
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