This is well written and thoughtful. Very self-aware. My practice experience was in a small town of 9000 where I still live. It was usual to run across my ‘ghost panel’ in the course of daily life. It could be awkward. Not every physician is right for every patient. There is chemistry involved. And there are always some who have expectations that may not be easily met. More than a few patients over the years went off to other providers and then came back. Sometimes we all need a little comparison shopping to understand the value of what is right around the corner.
One thing I learned to do was to always call the family for a patient who died in a distant hospital because of some more severe condition that we could not treat locally. They were still my patient. And it was important to bring some closure for them and for me.
The great learning for me was how close I became with my patients over the decades. Friendships took hold and trust was built. It surprised me that some of the most difficult patients I had often became the ones I felt closest to.
Over time I learned to live by the Platinum Rule. The Golden Rule states that we should treat others as we wish to be treated. The Platinum Rule states that we should treat others as they wish to be treated. It takes more time and effort to do this and to let people know that we see and hear them for who they are. This is the ultimate hidden power of Primary Care.
"Over time I learned to live by the Platinum Rule. The Golden Rule states that we should treat others as we wish to be treated. The Platinum Rule states that we should treat others as they wish to be treated. It takes more time and effort to do this and to let people know that we see and hear them for who they are."
I never knew if my dad's doctors wanted me to let them know he had died. I truly didn't think it mattered to them because they're so busy. I regret I didn't notify more of them. A very poignant post.
I took my dad to most of his appointments, so when he died I called each one to tell them. They needed to cancel any upcoming appointments
This is well written and thoughtful. Very self-aware. My practice experience was in a small town of 9000 where I still live. It was usual to run across my ‘ghost panel’ in the course of daily life. It could be awkward. Not every physician is right for every patient. There is chemistry involved. And there are always some who have expectations that may not be easily met. More than a few patients over the years went off to other providers and then came back. Sometimes we all need a little comparison shopping to understand the value of what is right around the corner.
One thing I learned to do was to always call the family for a patient who died in a distant hospital because of some more severe condition that we could not treat locally. They were still my patient. And it was important to bring some closure for them and for me.
The great learning for me was how close I became with my patients over the decades. Friendships took hold and trust was built. It surprised me that some of the most difficult patients I had often became the ones I felt closest to.
Over time I learned to live by the Platinum Rule. The Golden Rule states that we should treat others as we wish to be treated. The Platinum Rule states that we should treat others as they wish to be treated. It takes more time and effort to do this and to let people know that we see and hear them for who they are. This is the ultimate hidden power of Primary Care.
Thanks again for writing this.
Wise words. Thank you.
"Over time I learned to live by the Platinum Rule. The Golden Rule states that we should treat others as we wish to be treated. The Platinum Rule states that we should treat others as they wish to be treated. It takes more time and effort to do this and to let people know that we see and hear them for who they are."
Spectacular!
I never knew if my dad's doctors wanted me to let them know he had died. I truly didn't think it mattered to them because they're so busy. I regret I didn't notify more of them. A very poignant post.
I would expect that all physicians have a ghost panel, and also the patients that have passed on, and we miss their conversations.