In clinic I do my best to run on time. I bend every which way to see on time patients on time. It drives my staff crazy. Consequently, I prefer that my patients arrive in a reception area rather than a waiting room. The space is the same but the intent is different. Language is powerful in healthcare. If you like this post you might like the 33 charts ... Continue Reading about The Waiting Room
Procedure – The Only One That Matters
I've done some 10,000 endoscopic procedures over the past 25 years. Sometimes I offer that procedure number as a context for risk when discussing endoscopy. This morning when discussing consent with a mother she remarked, 'But this is the only one that matters.' You may have done a procedure 10,000 times. But for the individual patient there's only one that ... Continue Reading about Procedure – The Only One That Matters
White Board Documentation Beats the EHR
It's a recurring story: A mother brings her child for follow-up. When discussing how things have gone, mom summons her phone and references a white board picture taken during her initial visit. It's a picture that outlines what her child has and what we're doing doing about it. Collaborative thinking on a white board is central to the patient encounter As most of my ... Continue Reading about White Board Documentation Beats the EHR
Your Big Day | Conveying Empathy in a Greeting
Not long ago I went to my dentist for a major bit of dental work. When my dentist greeted me chair side she remarked, “So this is your big day.” And it was actually. A problem that had been an issue for some weeks was coming to a resolution. We chatted for a bit and she got to work. This idea of recognizing the magnitude of my visit stuck with me. It was ... Continue Reading about Your Big Day | Conveying Empathy in a Greeting
Patient Experience and the Art of Visiting
A grandmother brought her grandchild to see me recently. Several minutes into our dialog she stopped me, put her hand on my arm and said, "You're a fine doctor." "Thats so kind,” I said. “But, honestly, how do you know? We've barely met." She winked and said, “I can tell by how you talk to me.” After countering with the suggestion that she looked too young to ... Continue Reading about Patient Experience and the Art of Visiting
The More you See the Harder Medicine Gets
I’m in the most precarious time in my career. Beyond mid-career, I have lots of experience. On some level I think I have it figured out. The day you have it figured out is when you should be nervous. John Mandrola’s tagline on Twitter says 'the more you see the harder medicine gets.' He's knows. He looks closely. Medicine is easy when you don't look hard. This ... Continue Reading about The More you See the Harder Medicine Gets