I’ve met some really amazing and wonderful people at the hospital. From caring nurses to outstanding doctors with bedside manners that all medical practitioners should strive for.However, there have also been some hospital staff that, not only I but friends of mine have encountered, that let’s just say are a little lacking in those areas of customer service. I’ve touched lightly before on the different perspectives in the parties involved in medical care for autoimmunees. You can read more about this in
The Watcher and the Autoimmune Patient and I want to let you know I understand that doctors are people too. But one thing medical practitioners sometimes forget is that their patients are also people. People with autoimmune diseases don’t choose to be sick, why would anyone choose to have such conditions? So when an autoimmune patient is being somewhat difficult remember it’s just like any other disease, we go through the motions and need to be guided with a caring hand not someone who is going to make the whole process just more stressful.
Your role influences someone’s life
Whether you’re studying or practicing autoimmune-related medicine, I want to congratulate you and say thank you. You’re studying one of the least understood group of diseases today and helping a lot of people. As a patient myself, I want to remind you just how important your work is, and how much you can influence someone’s life. Because that’s in your power. The power to change lives. Sounds pretty heavy doesn’t it? But it’s true. When it comes down to it, whether you can help the person or not with different methods, your bedside manner is really important. Autoimmune patients can be sensitive, heck our bodies are attacking themselves, wouldn’t you be a little sensitive? To help make a patient’s experience better, a little compassion goes a long way.
Patients, be patient and respectful
This next message is for my fellow autoimmunees. Be patient and respectful. I know you’re scared. I know you’re in pain. I’ve been there. I’m pretty much still there. Remember respect is a two way street, you can’t expect someone to treat you with respect if you don’t give it in return.The patient ends up feeling neglected and stressed, while the medical person becomes frustrated and apathetic. I can understand why some staff at the hospital look like they have no feelings, it’s the only way they can separate from all the chaos, because if they let it all in, it may just bury them.But that’s not the way to go. I believe that everything in life needs balance. Nothing too much, nothing too less. For medical practitioners, you need to know when to show you care and when to show restraint. It’s not as easy said as done, there will be people that test you but remember there are good people that deserve your care, who will appreciate your hard work just as much as I do.Other than the medical aspect (operations, testing etc.) a major component influencing ones experience at the hospital is the people. By giving someone a few minutes of your time, respectful and genuinely showing concern and caring for your patient can make all the difference.
