BEING ON THE OTHER SIDE: NOW I’M THE PATIENT
A
s I approach my seventh decade on this planet, I am
realizing some inevitable truths. One particular truth
that has become apparent as of late, is that my body is
not the body that I once had in those younger years.
Alas, I find myself on the other side of the doctor’s office
as the patient.
As an ophthalmologist, I frequently see my patients’
frustration when they come to me in their 40s noting they are
losing their reading vision. I remember feeling the same way and
reassure them I understand as I must also wear either glasses or
contacts in order to go about my daily activities. Oh, but could we
be so lucky if this were the only annoyance of aging!
Not to be cliché, but I recall a movie, years ago, called “The
Doctor” starring William Hurt. He was a successful surgeon with a
very poor bedside manner. The plot revolved around his character,
Dr. Jack McKee, who developed laryngeal cancer, abruptly and
begrudgingly entering into the role as patient. The plot is certainly
predictable: he has a personal epiphany regarding his role as both
doctor and now patient, mostly realized through the development
of a close relationship with a fellow cancer patient. So, while a
bit prosaic, it does speak to how we must be very conscious and
respectful of our patients’ view of their care.
The hassle of calling to make appointments, being placed on
hold, making an appointment and having it later cancelled because
the doctor is going to be out of the office that day, are just some of the
issues patients face. Then there are the copays, potential fuss over
insurance coverage (or the lack thereof), diagnostic testing and
the ever-so-long wait for the inner sanctum of the doctor’s office,
which sadly enough, often accompany the patient experience. We
mustn’t forget this is all in the backdrop of the overarching general
worry and concern about our health. What is the diagnosis? How
serious is this? What are the treatment options? How will this
affect family, work, i.e. Life? Mercifully, my health issues are not
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LOUISVILLE MEDICINE
so dire and, as a physician, I have the luxury of understanding
these foibles, which certainly helps when navigating the “system.”
However, it has placed me in the role of a patient nonetheless,
uncomfortably, with all of these accoutrements.
Additionally, medical care today has radically changed in both
positive and negative ways by the use of the electronic medical
record (EMR). Even though we have the ability to care for patients
in a more structured and consistent manner by using electronic
records, we have created barriers in how we communicate with
them. Being recently on the other side of the chair, I have noted
this and see my own physician colleagues struggle, as I have, to
maintain adequate communication and personalization of care
whilst attending to the ever-pressing EMR “needs.” This experience
reminded me of why we began utilizing scribes in my own practice,
allowing me to make direct eye contact with the patient during
examination and care discussions. This is exquisitely important
for reading non-verbal cues, sensing when a patient might require
more time and conversation regarding their care plan. My recent
experience as a patient has validated for me the extent to which
the EMR can place effective patient-physician relationships at risk.
The world of the doctor and that of the patient are indeed
different. To bring them closer together, I suggest the next time you
are in your office or at the hospital, try walking in your patients’
shoes. Is your practice being sensitive to your patients’ needs? Are
you and your staff helping them navigate the very complex waters
of our health care system? Are you communicating with them in
an effective manner? Do they understand their medical problems,
medications, treatment options and how this might impact their
life? By becoming the patient, whether literally or figuratively, we
transform ourselves into more effective compassionate physicians.
Dr. Burns is a private practice ophthalmologist. His practice, Middletown Eye Care,
is located in Middletown, KY.