When I went for an annual checkup at a hospital-based clinic 1 1/2 hours from my home, I was fortunate enough to be accompanied by a good friend. I saw a woman staring at the office roster, unsure of the next direction in the maze to turn. A warm "Follow-me" relaxed her and replaced the angst of my appointment with gratitude that I could help someone else. Though disappointed the specialist did not have recent records I was assured were faxed a month ago, she conducted simple neurological tests that left me with renewed confidence. What style of communication has affected the way or you healthcare professional are perceived?
Friday, September 04, 2009
Everyone Needs An Advocate
When I went for an annual checkup at a hospital-based clinic 1 1/2 hours from my home, I was fortunate enough to be accompanied by a good friend. I saw a woman staring at the office roster, unsure of the next direction in the maze to turn. A warm "Follow-me" relaxed her and replaced the angst of my appointment with gratitude that I could help someone else. Though disappointed the specialist did not have recent records I was assured were faxed a month ago, she conducted simple neurological tests that left me with renewed confidence. What style of communication has affected the way or you healthcare professional are perceived?
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3 comments:
I think the way the doctor greets the patient and whoever is in the room with the patient is important. When we were seeing doctors throughout my pregnancy, we got to see a lot of styles. One doctor came in and talked to me and completely ignored my husband until I introduced him. Her style said to me that she was there to do business only and that she didn't really care about me as a person. After that I went out of my way to schedule appointments with all the other doctors in the practice but not her.
When I went to an OB/GYN in my 60s I saw only photos of mothers with their newborns. Though I enjoyed the precious photos I suggested to the physician that she add photos of mature patients if she planned on treating them so we all could relate to her practice.
First impressions always matter. I always choose my PCP where I know I can see different physicians at different times. I try to avoid this thing of being stuck with just one. Depending on how I am treated will determine whether I stay or not. I recalled going to my Doctor's office once and the nurse could not even say hi to me, but was ready to take my vital signs. I told her that was bad practice and she started telling me ll her life stories. Things like that should never happen when one visits a Physician's office.
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