In addition to causing fever, cough, runny noses, red eyes, and a characteristic red rash, measles is highly contagious. It can also cause serious complications, such as pneumonia, encephalitis, and death. Even though measles can be prevented by vaccination, it remains a major public health problem in many areas of the world, particularly in countries with low immunization rates. In 2020, there were an estimated 241 million cases of measles and 627,000 deaths in sub-Saharan Africa, mostly among children under five years of age.
Health care provided by direct primary care (DPC) involves patients paying a monthly fee directly to their primary care provider without the involvement of third parties. As a result, they have unlimited access to primary care services such as routine screenings, chronic disease management, acute care visits, and some basic laboratory tests and medications. Because DPC providers do not bill insurance companies, they are able to spend more time with their patients, offer lower prices, and provide more personalized care.
People who suffer from or are at risk of measles can benefit from DPC, as it offers the following benefits:
DPC patients are able to contact their provider anytime, anywhere, via phone, email, text, or video chat. They can also get same-day or next-day appointments, without long wait times or copays. Getting prompt diagnosis and treatment for measles, as well as preventive advice and education, will help them get better results.
In addition to taking into account each patient's medical history, risk factors, lifestyle, and goals, DPC providers can tailor their care to meet the specific needs and preferences of each patient. Using evidence-based guidelines and best practices, they can also monitor their progress and adjust their treatment plan accordingly.
With DPC, patients pay a flat monthly fee that covers most of their primary care needs, without any surprises. As DPC providers often negotiate lower prices with their suppliers or offer these services at cost, they can also save money on medications, laboratory tests, and imaging services. Also, DPC patients do not have to pay high premiums, deductibles, or copays for health insurance they may not need or use.
An enhanced patient experience and satisfaction: DPC patients can build a more trusting and lasting relationship with their provider, who knows them well and cares for them holistically. There is also more control and choice for them over their health care decisions without government or insurance companies interfering.
Measles patients can benefit from DPC by improving their health outcomes, improving their quality of life, and reducing their health care costs and utilization.
Early detection and improved prevention: DPC providers can educate patients about measles signs and symptoms, as well as preventive measures they can take to avoid becoming infected, such as getting vaccines, using insecticide-treated bed nets, repellents, and antimalarial medications. In addition, they can screen their patients regularly for measles, using rapid diagnostic tests or microscopy, and treat them promptly if they test positive, before the disease progresses or becomes complicated.
Using appropriate antiviral drugs and supportive care, DPC providers can manage their patients' measles effectively, reducing hospitalizations and complications. In addition to preventing or treating complications such as ear infections, pneumonia, encephalitis, or death, they can also refer patients to specialists or hospitals when necessary. For people with measles, this can help reduce the need for hospitalizations and emergency visits.
With the right information, counseling, and reminders, DPC providers can ensure that their patients adhere to their prescribed treatment regimens. They can also follow up with their patients regularly to check their symptoms, assess their improvement, and determine whether further treatment or testing is needed. In addition to preventing treatment failure, resistance, or relapse, this can improve their long-term outcomes.
Through involving patients in the decision-making process, respecting their autonomy, and addressing their concerns and questions, DPC providers can empower their patients to take an active role in their own health care. In addition, they can provide education, motivation, and support to patients so they can engage in self-care and lifestyle modification. As a result, their self-efficacy, self-management, and self-care skills can be improved, as well as their well-being and satisfaction can be enhanced.
It is possible for DPC providers to offer personalized measles management to their patients, based on their individual characteristics, needs, and preferences.
DPC providers can assess and stratify patients' measles risk based on their exposure, immunity, comorbidities, and other factors. As a result, they can provide them with tailored preventive advice and interventions, such as vaccinations, chemopreventions, or prophylaxis, based on their risk level and destination.
Using rapid diagnostic tests, microscopy, or molecular tests, DPC providers can diagnose their patients' measles accurately and rapidly. Depending on the type and severity of measles, drug resistance pattern, and the patient's characteristics and preferences, they can then treat their patients' measles effectively and safely with the most appropriate and available antivirals, such as ribavirin, acyclovir, or oseltamivir. Additionally, they can give them supportive care, such as hydration, analgesia, antipyretics, or transfusions.
Patients' measles can be monitored and evaluated using clinical and laboratory parameters, such as fever, rash, cough, conjunctivitis, or antibody levels, by DPC providers. As necessary, they can alter the dose, duration, or type of antiviral drugs, or add or switch to another drug, depending on their treatment plan. Furthermore, they can provide feedback and reinforcement to their patients regarding adherence, side effects, complications, and outcomes.
Measles education and counseling: DPC providers can provide patients with information on measles, its causes, transmission, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and complications. Furthermore, they can counsel and educate them on the importance of adhering to antiviral drugs, their side effects and interactions, the signs and symptoms of complications, and the need for follow-up and testing. As well as providing accurate and reliable information and resources, they can also address their patients' fears, myths, misconceptions, and beliefs about measles.
A highly contagious viral disease, measles can cause fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a characteristic rash. Measles can also cause serious complications, such as ear infections, pneumonia, encephalitis, and death. Measles can be prevented by vaccination, but it remains a major public health concern, particularly in countries with low immunization rates.
People at risk or suffering from measles can benefit from direct primary care (DPC), an alternative health care model. There is no third-party payer or insurance company involved in DPC, which is a financial arrangement between patients and their primary care provider. Patients pay a monthly fee to cover most of their primary care needs, and get unlimited access to certain primary care services, such as routine screenings, chronic disease management, acute care visits, and some basic laboratory tests.
The use of DPC can improve the health outcomes and quality of life of measles patients, as well as reduce their health care costs. A DPC can improve access to primary care, offer more personalized measles management, lower costs and transparent pricing, and increase patient satisfaction and experience. Furthermore, DPC can help prevent and detect measles early, reduce hospitalizations and complications, improve adherence and follow-up, and empower patients.
Those who are seeking a more convenient, affordable, and comprehensive approach to managing their measles, as well as their overall health and well-being, may find DPC an attractive option. A quote by Benjamin Franklin states, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” DPC can help people achieve this goal by offering them a more proactive, preventative, and personalized approach to care.
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