Thank you
@JMK1954,
With a lesser time on insulin of 51 years, I agree with your experience.
I am reminded of a
Chinese word I saw, written in original form, and its interpretation was
Ears, Eyes, Heart and Undivided Attention - and the word -
To Listen.
I read a study many years ago and apologise for not recalling the reference, however the main point it made was:
a doctor, by not interrupting the patient's speaking in the initial 30 to 60 seconds of the doctor-patient consultation, gained
much better rapport and information, and
the patient was better satisfied than if the doctor cut the patient off in less time.
Over the years I have found that a pretty
good yardstick (um, meter rule) for the calibre of a health professional.
The other 'plus' behaviours were:
- a
humility couched in
professional behaviour and self-humour, that is, a willingness to admit that they were human, did not take themselves too seriously but stood by their standards of behaviour and respect ;
- had a
good sense of humour and applied it expeditiously
-
ability to paraphrase what I had said, in order
to check that they understood what I was trying to impart;
- an ability to accept and tolerate uncertainty, sometimes a diagnosis seemed straight-forward but they were prepared to question and be flexible if things did not make sense or I felt they did not
- explained how they had reached a diagnosis and what they thought were the best treatment options
- were
prepared to adapt explanation and education into a form, language which I could relate to
- were
wholistic in their appreciation of how emotions, belief systems, relationships impact on a person's sensibilities and health
I appreciate no-one is perfect and that
with the pressures of time etc each consultation etc may not be fully satisfactory but:
I would give a doctor 3 to 5 visits to see if they would shape up to my expectations - It was not a matter of whether the doctor or I was in the 'wrong', it was a matter of, would the relationship work?
Of course I did not always have the option of 'firing' a doctor (Ha! or him/her 'firing' me). I learnt to
endure a 'bad match', and try to actually ask challenging questions as a means to 'draw them out', not to be smart. I would describe
how a hypo felt to me, for their information,
as I still find most doctors do not really know beyond what a textbook says.
I 'fought' to find a level playing field of some sort,
a level of mutual respect no matter how difficult it was to do but found that if things were still unsatisfactory, beyond 3, visits maybe 5 - I would object.
I now have a great GP, endocrinologist and other specialists but through paying in the private Aussie health system.
I know that is not in every person's ability to do.
I wish every patient could:
give a
health professional a little room to prove (or disprove) themselves.,
assert their right to be listened to, have a
support person present if that would help
give
notes to their doctor/dsn of records (like BSLS, CGM readings etc) and
insist they are incorporated in their health record,
even
request to read their own health record and write in it ( the right to do so may need clarification but a refusal to allow such seems like an insult and denial of patient rights to my mind - If a doctor/nurse has not recorded what you have told them should you not have a right to question that and write in the record?)
maintain their dignity,
use their rights wisely (including complaint processes where appropriate, support groups), this website's knowledge base of respondents.
