Any caring and compassionate doctors out there? Has the HMO system put the 'personal and individual' touch on the back burner? I think not !!!!
Sure, one can say, 'my doctor really does not care,' or 'my doctor does not spend time with me,' or just 'it is not like it was years ago.'
From my well over thirty years in the healthcare industry, I have observed many changes. Having worked at all levels, including, but not limited to being a nurse investigator for consumer complaints, reviewing medical records for attorneys, as well as other postions, at all levels within the system, I have seen , believe me when I say, I have seen good doctors and bad doctors, those with compassion and those without, those who have a sincere interest and those who just do what they need to do, those who put the patient first and those who don't............however, for the most part, doctors have a rough job to do, especially with the ever changing systems they have to encounter. I am sure many did not ever think we would have a shortage of nurses, that would affect their patients. However, this is a story about a few doctors with such overwhelming compassion, kindness, concern and love for their work, as well as their patients.
This is how doctors should be...........................
The family was scared, their father was ill. He had been admitted to one hospital on an emergency basis. However, he seemed to be doing okay. His family insisted that he be transferred to the hospital where his physicians were. He was taken to the emergency room via 911 ambulance. He was having chest pain, getting worse as the minutes past. All his children (3) were with him. They wondered what was going to happen to their father. Scared and frightened, at the top of their list. Fear of the unknown, next in line.
Finally, after alot of communication with nurses and doctors, he was transferred to the hospital where his doctors were.
Thank Goodness: He was where his doctors knew him, as well as knowing his past medical history. Having a physician who knows the patients medical history is of upmost importance when one is in the hospital.
Here he was, transferred via ambulance, over every hole in the street, ambulance wheels jarring on the road, bouncing him up and down. His one daughter was with him in the ambulance, watching her father in pain, not being able to help, just watch.
They arrived at the hospital and he was taken to one floor, actually the wrong floor/unit and to the wrong room. Then they brought him to another room, the right room. Finally, he could try and rest. Well, not exactly, he was having chest pains and very uncomfortable.
He was admitted to a room with four other patient beds. At least he was at the hospital, that was the important thing. It was the only bed available, so much so, that there were two female patients in the room with him. The nurse explained that there were no beds and that was the reason. Considering male and females are not in the same room. Well, he did not care, he just wanted to be well. And, the nurses pulled the curtains and gave as much privacy as needed.
The nurse came in, with a very non chalant' attitude. We explained the situation. Shortly after the nurse entered, the Hospitalist entered. She is a physician who does the history and physical exams and then documents this information in the patient's medical record.
She spoke so rapid and with her accent, it was a bit difficult to understand, but we did. She was rushed and hurried and one of his daughters had to tell her to slow down, speak directly to him and loud enough that he could hear her. Her bedside manner was not great and it was obvious that she had alot of other patients to see. However, she reviewed his EKG and noted that intervention was needed as soon as possible. So, in spite of her, not so great personality, she knew what she was doing. Thank Goodness for that. She knew her stuff, so to speak. She then told us she needed to get in touch with his Cardiologist (heart doctor) to discuss the situation.
The Cardiologist entered almost immediately. He was very straight forward and told all that the patient would be observed to see if intervention would be necessary. The anxiety rose high among the family as well as the patient. The fear of the unknown was up front.
The family asked about putting him (their father) in a private room to decrease the external noise and stimuli going on... they wanted him to be able to rest. The nurses moved him to a private room shortly after the request.
Not more than a half hour passed and he began having excruciating untolerable pain. His family called the nurse immediately, who contacted the Cardiologist right away. The doctor was there in a matter of minutes. The option, cardiac catheterization versus possibly dying.
There is the family watching as their father is being taken to the catheterization lab. Scared and frightened, crying, wondering what will happen next.
It was at this time that the family realized they had wonderful caring and certainly, more than, competent doctors. Thank Goodness ! !
The Cardiologists took them aside and told them their father might not make it. They asked the doctor, "What would you do if it were your father?" Now, perhaps some doctors would not answer truthfully, and, others would say, well that is not the question here. However, these doctors gave an honest truthful answer. A good question to ask a doctor, "What would you do if this was your loved one?" The Cardiologist educated the family (and patient, ofcourse) on all the risks, benefits, everything imaginable in order to make an informed decision. The family cried, talked to their father, who was, more than, aware of the situation. The doctors were compassionate, obviously knowing what the family was experiencing. Their staff of technicians and nurses were the same. It was wonderful to have such a good experience under such a horrific situation. The family knew that the team of doctors and staff were aware of all aspects of the case.
The kindness shown to the family was so very unique. We were honored to have such professionals help us through a difficult time and save our father.
While waiting in the waiting room, the patient's primary Cardiologist walked through. He had been at a teaching conference and had just returned and was unaware that the patient was in the hospital. He stopped, talked to the family and immediately went to the catheterization lab where the patient was having the procedure done. He then returned to the family to let them know all was well.
After a successful procedure, the doctors and nurses shared our joy and happiness that our father made it through. You could see in their eyes that they were as happy as we were, how wonderful and so very touching.
This is what it is all about............................
to be continued................
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