More Tricks of the Trade(s)

So by getting two degrees at once, I technically have two trades - medicine and public health. So here is a random trick from each:

MEDICINE TRICK
Do you take any medications? Think about it. What would you tell your doctor if he/she asked you? If you are a woman, you probably left something out. Birth control! Last week we had our first day of clinic, and had a few workshops to prepare. Here at Tufts we were taught to ask about "OCPs" or "oral contraceptive pills" in addition to asking if our patients take medications. More often than not, female patients won't remember to list their birth control under medication. It's silly, but it's common - so ladies, remember to tell your doctor that you are on BC if they ask you about meds!!

We were also taught to ask about herbs, over the counter medications, and complementary medicine. Patients don't necessarily lie (actually, they often do, not to quote House or anything...), but health care providers have to ask the right questions to get the right answers. Patients are tricky, so we have to be trickier.

Nope, not a real fly!

PUBLIC HEALTH TRICK

Last week we learned about Nudge Theory, which we can use to influence individuals to make healthier choices. Using Nudge Theory, we can discretely suggest that consumers do the right things without explicitly telling them what to do or taking away their options. 

The picture to the left is our example of a nudge theory. In Amsterdam, the janitors complained about the mess men left from splashing and or aim failure when using the urinals. To rectify this problem, rather then telling the men to aim better, they printed flies where they hoped men would aim. This small change reduced "collateral spray" by 80%. Without any actual demand or campaign, these urinals were able to nudge the urine streams in the right direction. Public health win!

Nudging happens all the time. Advertising campaigns try to nudge us to use their product with fancy boxes and fun designs. Another example in class was a group that turned stairs into piano keys - complete with sounds produced when you climb them. Tons more people chose to use the stairs over escalators because of this fun nudge. Here in Boston, Children's Hospital has piano stairs.

Another example is drawing footsteps on the ground towards the stairs rather than the elevator. People feel nudged to use the stairs in order to follow the footsteps. Nudge takes my new professor's favorite acronym into account. KADNAB - Knowledge Alone Does Not Alter Behavior! You have to inform people, but also nudge them in the right direction and teach them the skills they need to change their behavior.

More nudges here: http://www.inudgeyou.com/category/featured/