I watched her sitting behind the nursing station, complaining about the patient in room 450. "She wants this and she wants that, can't she see I am busy." I thought to myself, maybe the nurses were busy, but they were talking amongst themselves, laughing about their weekend adventures. Did they not know the patient was obviously in need of something. Obviously, they did not care and did not want to be bothered. The patient, again, called. I watched the light above the room turn green, indicating the patient needed the assistance of someone. Then, I watched the nurses continue to talk and ignore the patient. I was wondering how long it would take for someone to go into the patient's room. Then, a voice, from behind the nurses desk said, "She is such a problem." Goodness, another shocker. I should ot be shocked, afterall, I have heard this over and over again. Each and every time I would hear someone say a patient was a problem, I would become infuriated. Infuriated to the point that I wondered why, or even how, this person became involved in caring for the ill.
Just what is a problem patient? Each and every time I heard this, I could only shutter. Many nurses I interviewed felt tht patients were problems if they asked questions about their medical conditions, medications, questioned what was being done to their body, or questioned treatment. Hmm, isn't the patient suppose to ask questions and be involved in their treatment? As a nurse, I certainly thought patients were to be involved in their treatment. Maybe things had changed, but, I thought not. How could a nurse know the patient needed help and just place her on ignore. Okay, sure, the paper work is important, but apparently there was a lack of concern for the patient.This interested me and I continued to observe as things fell into place, or out of place, I should say.
All too often patients need a nurse and can't get them to assist. Certainly, there are many reasons for this, however, it happens all too often.
Problem patients are often the patients (or family members) that are 'misidentified' and given the label of 'problem.' This is sad for these are the patients who, once again, might get the short end of the stick.
Nurses (doctors and other healthcare professionals) often put this label on patients - "problem patient." This label stays with the patient/family member and is not fair to them. The result is that other health care professionals on are put on defense, wehn they hear the patient is a problem. A definitely unfair situation due to a person subjectively making a judgement.
Health care professionals need to not be so subjective and look at the patient as a whole. The misinterpretation (by nurses/doctors) of an informed patient or one who wants to be informed, leads to labeling of the patient/family member which only results in a deteriorating situation.
It is imperative to have good relationships with your healthcare providers, however, this is not always the case, nor will it ever be in some situations. There are those nurses/doctors who will, in fact, take the time and listen to patients. They understand what the patient is experiencing, as well as the family member. They take time to educate, listen and support the patient. For some this comes as a natural, for others it has to be learned. Some people can be trained to care, others can not. Some nurses/doctors, once they have been on the receiving end of negative patient care, they learn to understand what the patient is experiencing.
Some nursing staff are approachable and the patient/family member is able to share concerns, ask questions and voice complaints without fear of retaliation. You might think this is a bit farfetched, fear of retaliation. However, in my many interactions with patients and family members, more than I ever expected felt they were afraid if they questioned something that the nurse was doing to their body. True... and, perhaps you feel like that. Remember, it is your body and you have to be informed about what is happening.
Informing the staff, at the beginning of the hospitalization, often helps. Telling them that you want to be educated and to please provide information, to you, whenever they do anything. This is okay and your right.
Ask the questions you need in order to understand what is happening with your treatment and to your body.
What makes a good nurse/doctor/health care professional? One who encourages patient participation in their treatment. Participation includes asking questions, questioning what is not understood, providing feedback and being able to voice concerns with the feeling of ease.
You are fortunate if you have a group of health care professionals who encourage your participation. Keep them, for they are hard to find. Personally, we have been very fortunate to find such wondeful caring health care professionals. Of course, over the years we have found the opposite also, but the motto is............stay clear of these who don't care..............
It is a caring, concerned and good nursing staff, who take time and encourage the patient's participation in being part of the team.
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