They may need to hear things explained several times in order to comprehend the situation and the plan of care, and they want to hear it from only you. Make time to personally answer their phone calls, and remember that the patient and their families are petrified. Follow up appointments are important so that reeducation and questions can be addressed. When patients receive bad news or a difficult diagnosis, they don't hear the rest of the education that is given. You are often caring for patients at the worst moments of their lives.
Their body feels foreign their spirit often feels broken. Symptoms that seem so normal to you, based on their diagnosis, are absolutely petrifying to them. It is important to recognize that patients are scared, anxious, depressed, and have valid concerns. My hope for you is that you realize you are entrusted with your patient's health-the most precious commodity that a person can possess. This process has also made me a better health care provider because I have taken my experience and incorporated it into how I am at the bedside with my wound patients. Through this process, I learned a lot about myself, including that I am stronger than I ever imagined I could be. The Other Side of Patient Careīeing on the other side of health care is very humbling. I became a petrified patient who was fearful of the unknown… A patient who hung on my surgeon's every word… A patient who had to read the faces of her nurses to determine of this was going to be good or bad news… A patient who cried entering the surgical-oncology suite because it had the word "oncology" in it. I was no longer a well-educated woman, confident in her understanding of medicine. I was told that I needed to have surgery as soon as possible, and became even more frightened. The word itself causes an array of emotions-like fear and anger. In 2016 I was hit with a diagnosis of cancer. No, I have been experiencing my most important "aha" moment firsthand for the past year. My latest "aha" moment may be the biggest one of my health care career, and I want to share with it you!įor me, this "aha" moment did not occur while taking care of patients, and certainly did not hit me all at once. Scars do fade… But did you take anything away from the experience? Did your experience as a patient make you a better, more compassionate provider? We know the course of treatment and what to expect. It can be frustrating, humbling, and downright scary. Car accidents, broken bones, having a baby – we have all had to put on that gown from time to time. We have all been a patient at one time or another.
It is our collective desire to enhance how we care for our patients. These are moments of clarity that solidify why we do what we do every day, why we care so much, why we've chosen this profession, why we are good at what we do, why we are respected by our peers and patients, and why our passion for healing leads us to blogs like this.
#A aha moment professional#
In our professional careers, there are often "aha" moments. We can often become better wound care providers just by being present and taking a few minutes to actually listen to the patient, read the situation, and show compassion.
However, being "better" doesn't always mean reading articles or attending national conferences. We should all strive to be better and know more. You're reading this because you want to be a better caretaker for the sick and injured - you want to be a better provider. Medicine changes constantly, and we must stay up to date on the best options for our patients. By Lindsay Andronaco RN, BSN, CWCN, WOC, DAPWCA, FAACWS
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