In the second story, a woman, with MS, had a heroic PCP who expedited referrals, verified record transfers, and followed up - not only with the patient, but also with her partner. One day, the PCP asked the patient if he could speak with her husband (who had accompanied his wife to most of her appointments). The patient gave her permission, and the PCP brought the husband into his office, and simply asked him, "How are you doing?" This was the first time this had ever happened for the husband with any of his wife's many doctors. He told the PCP about his worries and left the office feeling much lighter, and accompanied. He brought this lifted spirit back into his relationship with his wife.
This conversation took all of 7 minutes.
What is your, and your partner's, relationship like with your PCP?
1 comment:
It's unfortunate that Husband usually only hears when I am frustrated or upset with how something has happened in relation to my medical care. When an appointment goes well with no hitches, then there's really not much to talk about, so he hears when it doesn't go well or there's a long wait or a frustration-inducing situation. I need to share with him my good times and positive exchanges with her so he has a more rounded picture of how my relationship with my PCP progresses from visit to visit.
Thanks for asking this very important question and stimulating our ongoing conversation in this area.
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