Ha! You think I am going to talk about the losing Jags? How about my winning EAGLES? No. But prior to games last week, I overheard the pre-game chatter. Can’t believe I am going to quote Coach Jimmy Johnson on this blog… He dogmatically said (twice) “It’s not about the X’s and O’s. It’s about instilling confidence!”
As a mentor to younger physicians in the field and to staff, I believe this applies to healthcare as well. I try to keep the business, paper pushing, and busy schedule of running the office in the background. For me, it’s never about any of that. “Getting through the day” is not grinding out work. Even buzzing from patient to patient, if I don’t take a breath, look at the chart and know what is ahead before I enter that room, the visit itself and all the effort leading up to it won’t matter and the added drama, concern and confusion will have a negative impact.
“That’s fine,Doc, but I can’t influence the staff or physician.” Ah, but I think that you can. Fill out paperwork ahead, get there on time, bring another set of ears (not toddlers you are babysitting). Get off of your phone the second that door opens and shut it off. (Too frequently, phones are on or patients are talking as if I am a second thought and have to wait.) Nope- I hung a sign years ago “no phones” but today it’s even worse, no playing games on the phone. This is cancer, pay attention!
So, now you are attentive, maybe have someone with a note pad and ready to fully engage. When the Doc asks, “How are you?”, don’ t go into a side bar list of complaints. You are there to get results, to get a plan of care. You want to make the most of the visit so don’t distract. Ask for results. Ask for a plan. Ask about side effects. They will be setting you up for more testing, appointments perhaps with surgery, radiation and or medical oncologist. Ask questions pertinent to the specialty you are seeing- patients ask me all the time about chemo- I defer. When they ask the medical oncologist about radiation, it upsets me if they have said, “Oh its just a few days”, when it may be 30 treatments so now the patient is confused and confidence is out the window. Let the specialist handle your teaching based on what they do. Don’t ask primary care about surgery. There are a million ways these visits go sideways, but I am very direct, firm but gentle and informative. I have to move patients past the fear into action so I am determined to make it a success.
It also helps if you come in with some level of information. It’s ok to look up your diagnosis and American Cancer Society can help as well as NCCN guidelines for patients, if you know your disease. I never assume the patient knows anything. That way even if they hear something for a second time, it reinforces knowledge and confidence.
If you don’t understand something, say, “Wait, can you explain that?” You can always ask what other options there are for care. “Doctor” means “teacher” so most physicians do like to explain- especially if the patient is attentive. Be respectful. You only have a limited time with them so make the most of it.
You should leave every visit with confidence that every measure is being taken for your benefit. By the way…. when a relieved patient smiles and adds an X and O, I am ok with that too.
GO BIRDS!