Don't Assume

Yeah, I know. We are reminded of this often. Assuming makes an a$$ out of you and me. But this was one of those weeks where I was reminded that not everyone has been given the simple tools I take for granted.

Example 1: patient mid forties with diabetes. As we are discussing diet changes he can make, he admits he does not know how to grocery shop. SAY WHAT? I'm educating him about medications, simple food exchanges, and carb counting and he teaches me that there are bigger barriers to break down first. He has been given the tools to grocery shop: transportation, grocery cart, money for food, but not the skills. So, we are going grocery shopping next month after he gets his check. He states he does not need a handout (someone to buy his groceries). I told him I don't plan to give him one. How many other people out there do not have the basic skills it takes to make healthy changes?

Example 2: patient early forties (I'm seeing a theme here) who had a stroke 4 years ago comes in. "Your blood pressure is high", I tell her. She says, "I know, I haven't taken my medicine for a month. I ran out of refills". I explain to her how pharmacies, doctors, and refills work. How the pharmacy can request a refill when she runs out, and how we never want her to go without her medicine. How her doctors and pharmacists care about her health and want to make it easy for her to take her medicine in order to keep her blood pressure down and prevent another stroke. Did you know your pharmacist can request refills for you?

Example 3:

ME: Your blood pressure is high. Where is your 'insert blood pressure med here'?

Pt: It's in there

Me: No, the one that starts with an A

Pt: It's in there

Me: It is not. If it is not, how long have you been without it?

Pt: At least a month.

And now I know this fifty something year old cannot read. WOW! I call his pharmacist to get info about when his last refill was (last month) and ask her to refill it and set up auto refill for him. The other issue is that he knows how many pills he should have in each slot so he was using a discontinued medicine (despite the BIG BLACK X I had put on top of the bottle - yes, I took it and destroyed it).

As much as I try not to assume things, I just do. My patients teach me new ways to approach different issues every day. Most days I feel like I am peeling onions: layers upon layers of unexposed areas. Honestly, it's kind of exciting to be able to pinpoint WHY a patient's medications are not helping, OR eliminating medications to reduce side effects, OR genetic testing to narrow down best medication choices for a patient. I am fortunate to be able to do this.

Want to know more about how SyneRxgy Consulting can help you or your practice? Think you cannot afford service like this? We are offering a free trial until March 31st, 2017 (sign up by 3/31; trial will begin in April). Contact Sue at [email protected] for more information