Two Important PX Reminders
Mike Dellosso
I ghostwrite books for founders, entrepreneurs, executives, and non-profits who want to tell their story, deliver their message, and raise awareness || Ghostwriter || WellSpan Health Clinical Manager
A little while ago one our nurses received this kudo from a patient’s daughter: “Many times people don’t take the time to learn about the individual, but Doug did, and he also spent so much time educating my dad on his health issues and care that the VNA would be providing. We absolutely love him. Can we please keep him as dad’s RN?”
This comment and request brings attention to two things this daughter mentioned in her praise of Doug.
One, the importance of recognizing our patients as individuals and not just as patients. They’re people first. We know this. But do our patients know that we know it? Do we treat them in such a way that they know that we see them as individuals? They want to be seen as individuals—as a husband, wife, mom, dad—as a person. What do we—can we—do to assure them that we see them first as an individual?
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Two, the importance of taking the time to educate our patients. Explain things to them in terms they can understand. Teach them about their amazing body; share with them the knowledge you have. Back in the late 80s and early 90s (I know, some of you weren’t even born yet), NBC ran a series of PSAs called “The More You Know.” Each snippet shared some truth or fact or bit of information to educate the public. The idea behind it was that the more we know the better off we all will be. It’s in the vein of Sir Francis Bacon’s scientia potentia est: knowledge is power. Educating your patients empowers them, gives them the WHY behind what they’re going through and how they can heal/recover/improve. And educated, well-informed patients have better outcomes. Do you take the time to educate your patients?
Food for thought.
Pathway to Excellence Program Director @Penn State Health Holy Spirit and Hampden Medical Centers | Doctorate of Nursing Practice
1 年Mike, getting to know our patients as a person is incredibly important in building a connection and developing a level of trust with our patients. It is proven to improve outcomes for our patients as they are more likely to adhere to the treatment regimens we recommend. Improved relationships between patients and healthcare workers also improves employee satisfaction as they feel their purpose. This is the basic premise of our #CreativeHealthCareManagement's #SeeMeAsAPerson Workshop. That workshop was life-changing for me, both as a nurse, as a leader, and as a person.