News Release

 

 

New Time to Talk CARDIO Program Aims to Improve Conversations for Better Heart Health

Unique Communication Skill-Building Tool Launched in North Carolina where Heart Disease is one of the Leading Causes of Death

(December 4, 2009) Asheville, NC. – Time to Talk CARDIO - Creating A Real Dialogue In the Office,a new program to help patients and health care professionals make the most of their conversations by building communication skills to help manage heart health, is being presented tomorrow at the North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians (NCAFP) 2009 Winter Family Physicians Weekend in Asheville. A key component of the Time to Talk CARDIO program is a free, cardiovascular, communication skill-building tool for patients and health care professionals featuring more than 550 videos that demonstrate methods for more productive medical visits in the short amount of time that is often available. To learn more about Time to Talk CARDIO, an educational program underwritten by Merck/Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals and developed in partnership with the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Foundation, Canyon Ranch Institute (CRI) and RIASWorks, visit www.timetotalkcardio.com.

"I look forward to introducing Time to Talk CARDIO in my home state of North Carolina to help address the important need for better conversations between health care professionals and patients," stated Gregory Griggs, MPA, CAE, executive vice president of NCAFP, "which may help make a positive impact on cardiovascular disease management."

Both health care professionals and patients can benefit from improved in-office dialogue. "Research shows that good physician communication is related to greater satisfaction with their patient visits," said Debra Roter, Dr.P.H., M.P.H. of RIASWorks. "Studies have found that patient recall of instructions, satisfaction with care, adherence to medical recommendations, appointment-keeping and clinical outcomes are consistently related to communication skills."

To further inform the Time to Talk CARDIO program, CRI is coordinating in-clinic research to assess the program's impact and effects on improving the communication between health care professionals and patients. In addition, family physician practices and residencies in North Carolina, New Jersey, Mississippi, Ohio and Missouri, have been selected by the AAFP Foundation to pilot the program across the nation. "We have begun to test the Time to Talk CARDIO program and initial findings indicate very high patient satisfaction with the medical visit among both patients and their health care team," remarked Brian Forrest, M.D., founder of Access Healthcare PA and the Access Hypertension Clinic. Dr. Forrest is in private practice but serves as an Adjunct Associate Professor at the UNC Chapel Hill School of Medicine. He is piloting Time to Talk CARDIO in North Carolina. "This is an important educational program because strengthening the therapeutic relationship may potentially impact adherence with physician recommendations."

The Time to Talk CARDIO program has been rolling out locally throughout the United States, and a national launch is planned in February 2010. To further expand the outreach and dissemination of the program to patients and health care professionals, Time to Talk CARDIO is developing a national network of health care organizations, patient advocacy groups and professional societies collaborating to promote awareness and solutions around communication and cardiovascular disease management. Organizations and health care professionals who are interested in joining the Time to Talk CARDIO Network can find more information at www.timetotalkcardio.com.

Time to Talk CARDIO is an educational program underwritten by Merck/Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals.  The program, developed in partnership with the AAFP Foundation, CRI and RIASWorks, is dedicated to advancing cardiovascular health by helping to improve the dialogue between patients and health care professionals.  The Time to Talk CARDIO tool was modeled after LEAPS, a framework developed by Debra Roter, Dr.P.H., M.P.H of RIASWorks, to assist health care professionals and patients in improving their in-clinic conversations. LEAPS addresses five key areas: Listen, Educate, Assess, Partner and Support.  The Time to Talk CARDIO program also offers many free cardiovascular-focused educational resources, including patient and health care provider brochures, posters and goal setting work sheets.  Materials are available free to download or order from the Time to Talk CARDIO web site at www.timetotalkcardio.com.

The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Foundation advances the values of Family Medicine by promoting humanitarian, educational, and scientific initiatives that improve the health of all people. The AAFP Foundation serves as the philanthropic arm of the American Academy of Family Physicians, which is one of the largest national medical organizations, representing more than 94,600 family physicians, family medicine residents, and medical students nationwide. Thanks to funding from physician members and corporate partners, the AAFP Foundation supports good work that makes a difference at home and around the world.

Canyon Ranch Institute (CRI) catalyzes the possibility of optimal health for all people by translating the best practices of Canyon Ranch and its partners to help educate, inspire, and empower every person to prevent disease and embrace a life of wellness. As a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, CRI collaborates with partners to improve health literacy, prevent disease, and eliminate health disparities. CRI President Richard H. Carmona, M.D., M.P.H., FACS, 17th Surgeon General of the United States (2002-2006), is chair of the Time to Talk CARDIO Advisory Board, and CRI Executive Director Jennifer Cabe, M.A., serves on the Time to Talk CARDIO Advisory Board.  CRI Health Literacy and Communication Director Andrew Pleasant, Ph.D., is coordinating the in-clinic research to assess the impact of the Time to Talk CARDIO skill-building tool and resources among patients and health care professionals.

RIASWorks was established in 2008 to contribute to the science of interpersonal communication in order to enhance health care quality, well being and health. The company supports research and professional education, quality assurance, and excellence in clinical practice through the provision of coding services and training in the use of the Roter Interaction Analysis System (RIAS) and the development and dissemination of evidence-based medical communication tools.

Merck/Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals is a joint venture between Merck & Co., Inc., and Schering-Plough Corporation. The collaboration includes worldwide markets (excluding Japan).