We left the house in the middle of a blizzard this morning just after 7am headed for Billings and three doctor’s appointments for Michael. Emmi girl got to spend the day with Nat which he loves.
All the appointments went well, the rheumatologist is happy Michael is doing so well on the rheumatoid arthritis medication and the other two doctors were happy with him too! It was still very trying today.
I would love to teach a class to students entering medical school:
1. Have a sense of humor but not so much so that your patients think you aren’t listening to them. Don’t turn every one of their questions into a joke.
2. Listen to your patients, don’t act as if you can’t wait to get out the door. Don’t just sit and click buttons on your computer with your head down.
3. Make eye contact with your patients—let them know you are listening.
4. If you have your patients complete paperwork listing any changes occurring since the last visit—read that paperwork!
5. If you say you are going to call prescriptions to the pharmacy, do it!!! Don’t let us get to the pharmacy two hours later to find out you never called—that adds extra hours to our all ready long day.
6. Listen, listen, listen and ask questions—don’t always assume you know all the answers.
With all that said, we are looking for a new rheumatologist. The favorite of the three doctors we saw today is just the greatest—he does ALL the things listed above, he pays attention and has time for you. When we asked him to recommend another rheumatologist (unfortunately he doesn’t know them well enough) he said, “it’s important, very important for you to like and trust your physicians.”
We did our usual Costco runs and have found out the best time to make a run through Wal Mart is 8am—there wasn’t another soul in that store, I was in and out in less than 20 minutes! Lunch was at Famous Dave’s and it wasn’t the best.
Back in Big Timber we relieved Nat of his dog sitting duties, came home, unloaded the truck and collapsed!
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I have another one to add to your list..don't stand with your hand on the doorknob like you can't wait to get out of the exam room!
ReplyDeletehave nice relaxing evening..sounds like you need it!
Sounds like a tough day. I know what you mean about doctors. Sometimes I leave feeling very good about myself, other time I leave feeling kind of incomplete. It all depends on the level of care and attention I get.
ReplyDeleteHave a good evening!
I couldn't agree more with your suggestions to med students! I was tired after reading your blog...now I need to rest:)
ReplyDeleteGood points for future doctors...wish you could insert them into a medical text! Hope you get some rest.
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree more! I sat in my gastro doctor's office, getting the devastating results of a test report... and midway through a sentence, he saw someone go past in the hallway. He interrupted our meeting, to go out in the hall and order PIZZA with the nurse, and then came back in the office after chitchatting for a bit with her. When he came back, he FORGOT what he was telling me and I had to ASK if I had cancer growing in my esophagus!!
ReplyDeleteWhich sadly, was POSTIVE!
HOW could he forget that he was in the middle of telling me that?
I now have a new gastro doc.
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Karen and Steve
(Our Blog) RVing: Small House... BIG Backyard
http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com/
You got the medical school thing down pat. Luckily for me both my GP and the Cardio folks I see have been to Janna's seminar on patient care and passed with flying colours. Maybe that explains why I am heading north into the face of certain snow storms.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite rheumatologist left the Billings Clinic and moved to Missoula. I've been with her since diagnosed in 2001. We live in Helena -- she is worth the drive!
ReplyDeleteYou have it just right about doctors. Given how they treat us the customer (a term I prefer to the subservient -patient), we treat them the same. If they do not meet our expectations, they get fired. It is a bit of a pain, but better than hating to see someone you do not trust when there is a problem.
ReplyDeleteDo you like salads? Have you been to Salad Creations? I am so looking forward to lunch there when we get back to Billings. Jim really likes his doctors so we've been really lucky in that department.
ReplyDelete