In a survey conducted by the National Business Group on Health in 2004, companies cited preventable conditions, including heart disease, cancer, low back pain, diabetes mellitus and pregnancy complications, as the costliest health conditions in terms of direct medical claims. One of the greatest challenges that health plans and employers face in effectively managing healthcare costs is getting members to adopt healthy lifestyles.

During "Beyond Giving Information & Advice: Motivating 'Resistant' Patients," a February 2, 2005 audio conference on CD-ROM, you learn what strategies organizations are using to motivate patients to adopt healthy lifestyles.

Your expert panel of speakers, Rick Botelho, MD, Professor of Family Medicine at the URMC Family Medicine Center, Richard Citrin, PhD, Vice President of Integrated Care Management, Corphealth Inc. and Barbara Rutkowski, EdD, Medical Manager, St. Mary's Managed Care Services, cover practical strategies for motivating patients, including:

• Why evidence-based approaches limit healthcare providers' capacity to change health behaviors and how to use experience-based approaches to address these limits;
• Why the majority of patients resist change in response to health information needs;
• Teaching practitioners about motivating resistant patients;
• How to sharpen practitioners' motivational skills;
• The four key questions to consider for change strategies;
• The use of technology to level the playing field;
• How the St. Mary's Healthy Lives program combines population screening with disease management;
• Using continuous measurement and more intensive case management to improve results;
• Assessing readiness and removing obstacles; and
• Measuring success.

Here's what participants said about the live program:

It's great to know what other healthcare professionals encounter and approaches to take in engaging patietns to action in their own healthcare," said Karen Mahone with Blue Care Network.

Provided "sound strategies" to modify behavior, said Peggy Ose, vice president of patient services at Riverview Hospital

"It was interesting to hear how others manage their disease management/case management programs," said a RN/Case manager at a health plan based in New England

"Informative on steps to take to motivate clients and changes I need to make in my thinking," according to one participant from a state agency.

"Good information on engaging patients and change," according to a Medicaid assistance specialist.

"Very informative and educational. Good questions and follow up by presenters," said Dr. Rose Gantner, Regional Vice President, Corphealth

You can "attend" this program right in your office and enjoy significant savings – no travel time or hassle; no hotel expenses. It’s so convenient! Invite your staff members to listen.

WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM THIS AUDIO CONFERENCE?

CEOs, medical directors, disease management directors, managers and coordinators, health plan executives, care management nurses, business development and strategic planning directors.

About your Panelist:

Rick Botelho, MD, Professor of Family Medicine at the URMC Family Medicine Center

Dr. Rick Botelho is a Professor of Family Medicine and Nursing at the University of Rochester, New York.

He edited a book entitled Partnerships in Healthcare: Transforming Relational Process. He has recently published the second editions of Motivational Practice: Promoting Healthy Habits and Self- care of Chronic Diseases for practitioners and lay health guides Motivate Healthy Habits: Stepping Stones to Lasting Change and My Healthy Habits Journal, the Mutual Aid and Self-Help (MASH) guidebooks for the general public.

He has given presentations on this topic in more than 16 countries and conducts "Train the Trainers" workshops for wellness and disease management programs. He uses blended learning methods (workshops, telephonic coaching and online programs) for training purposes.

He received his B.M.B.S. from Nottingham Medical School (England). Dr. Botelho is a member of the WONCA Organization, chairing an Ad Hoc Task Force on Tobacco Cessation and a Special Interest Group on Behavior Change. He also is a member of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, the Association of Behavioral Sciences and the Preferred Care Society of Teachers of Family Medicine.

Richard Citrin, PhD, Vice President of Integrated Care Management, Corphealth Inc.

Richard Citrin oversees elements of Corphealth's Integrated Care Management (ICM) from strategic development to product implementation. Corphealth's ICM program supports member health care through a coordinated range of services such as medical behavioral integration, intensive care management, high risk health coaching, behavioral health disease management and psychiatric disability. Dr. Citrin is also responsible for management of employer services focused on the improvement of employee health and productivity. These services include Employee Assistance and Health and Wellness programs.

Prior to his present position, Dr. Citrin worked in a community mental health center, maintained a psychology practice, and co-founded and directed a pioneering behavioral health care group, Iatreia Institute.

Richard has held national office with the Institute Of Behavioral Healthcare, Group Practices Division, and served as a clinician and faculty member at Texas Christian University. Richard holds a bachelor's degree from Ohio State University, a master's degree and Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, and an MBA from the University of Dallas.

Barbara E. Rutkowski, EdD, Medical Manager, St. Mary's Managed Care Services

Dr. Rutkowski has been active in community affairs, has spoken at CDC and HCFA conferences and has recently served on JCAHO and URAC advisory groups in managed care.

Her experience includes being director of hospital quality and utilization management, university faculty positions at the University of Florida and the University of Evansville, and work as a hospital leader and assistant director. She also spent several years working as a consultant and professional writer prior to developing the medical management program at St. Mary’s.

Rutkowski graduated with her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in nursing from the University of Florida, and received her doctoral degree in Higher Education and Administration with minors in nursing and psychology/sociology from Indiana University. She has authored four books, two of which were selected as American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year awards. She has published many other professional articles and book chapters, and is the Vice President and Managing Editor of Rutkowski and Associates Inc., a corporation that has published two national employment and labor law newsletters, entitled Employment Law Update and Health Employment Law Update, for twenty years. Subscribers are leaders in industry, healthcare, government and education across the nation.