Counselling Services

Counselling

Patient counselling is an important part of medical or surgical management of a disease.

Every patient should know about the nature of the disease and the benefits of the treatment suggested by the doctor. In industrialised countries this part of treatment is adequately managed but in developing countries patient counselling is very much neglected. The reason may be the larger volume of patients per doctor who finds it difficult to explain everything to the patient to take away anxieties and apprehensions. Patient counsellors are very useful in providing this service. How can a counsellor help you.

The counsellor examines the case record to see whether the surgery is urgent and answers accordingly. It is always advisable to discuss problems with the ophthalmologist whenever the counsellor feels it is necessary. Counsellors tell patients about the importance of regular medication and follow-up in glaucoma and maintenance of personal hygiene.

Counsellors visit every patient and ask them about their problems so that they can give better advice as to the patient’s future. Counselling is very much needed by patients who have glaucoma, especially primary open angle glaucoma, because these patients do not find any apparent benefit from either medical or surgical treatment. Counsellors give very good feedback to the hospital management regarding patient care facilities. They talk directly to the patients about their problems. They can suggest necessary modifications in services, and they are often the best people to propose the kinds of patient information that is needed.

Counselling improves the quality of service and builds up the confidence of patients, which in turn increases motivation in the community to receive eye care services and to accept IOL surgery.

Counsellors help people to explore feelings and emotions that are often related to their experiences. This allows Patients to reflect on what is happening to them and consider alternative ways of doing things. Counsellors work in a confidential setting and listen attentively to their Patients. They offer them the time, empathy and respect they need to express their feelings and perhaps understand themselves from a different perspective. The aim is reduce a Patient confusion and enable them to cope with challenges, or to make positive changes in their life where necessary.