Comments on: What Really Matters

By: Top 5 Most-Read Posts for October « See First Blog

Top 5 Most-Read Posts for October « See First Blog — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:21:52 +0000

[...] 1. What Really Matters [...]

By: Round-up: What Really Matters « See First Blog

Round-up: What Really Matters « See First Blog — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:13:57 +0000

[...] post What Really Matters provoked a lot of interesting responses from doctors and others. But especially [...]

By: valjonesmd

valjonesmd — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 05:07:34 +0000

What really matters is that doctors would probably do this instinctively if they were paid the way lawyers are – for their time. Not to be flippant here – but it makes a big difference to social graces. Most of what we do is undervalued, over papered, and part of system that makes us miserable.

We are constantly pressured to work for free – that's why docs don't like to do email or phone calls with patients, even though it'd be in their best interest. We don't see our loved ones, kids, own families – because we're staying up late coding, buffing charts, and playing “mother may I?” with insurance companies.

Now, that doesn't excuse bad behavior – and doctors should spend more time with patients, getting them the answers they deserve, and treating them with kindness and reassurance. But asking them to do all that for free is something that all but the saintly-est will struggle against. That's the real problem here, IMO.

By: valjonesmd

valjonesmd — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 22:07:34 +0000

By: MKirschMD

MKirschMD — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:12:55 +0000

You are spot on. It has become a deeper challenge for us physicians to provide the level of customer service that the public deserves. Doctors face many obstacles and frustrations that are invisible to the patient, but yet threaten our doctor-patient relationships. To begin, physicians are working harder and earning less money. Those who are in private practice like me, must compete against surrounding medical behemoths who are purchasing my referring physicians and driving many of us out of practice.Conversely, employed physicians within these institutions have lost their professional autonomy and must answer to adminstrators and other managers. Insurance companies torture of and our staffs with daily hassles and denials of money we have earned and are owed. The unfair medical malpractice system demoralizes us. Many patients and their families have unrealistic expectations on us and on medical science to cure them. Despite all of this, patients still deserve a compassionate and competent physician. However, there's a lot on physicians' minds these days that makes this worthy task more difficult than ever. www.MDWhistleblower.blogspot.com

By: 2healthguru

2healthguru — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:28:17 +0000

Evan:

I believe one of the conclusions reached at the Mayo Transform symposium was that 'conversations' (and high quality ones at that) are what differentiates Mayo from the rest of the pack. Better conversation more often than not leads to better data, which in turn drives better choices, which generally influences better outcomes. Bottom line, better conversations = better health care. I believe its Maggie Breslin's pitch: http://centerforinnovation.mayo.edu/transform/.

Also, I once heard in another setting that: 'listening is an act of love'. What else need be said?

By: DrV

DrV — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:50:10 +0000

Great post. It's always helpful to have a 'wake up call' like this. And it's beautifully written