It’s a challenge to see things in the eyes of others.  As a child , its “me-my-mine.” Slowly it becomes “we” (as seen during parallel play  in children or maybe when there is a  significant other).  But seeing it in “yours” and completely give up mine , I must admit is not an easy thing to do.

To shape our practice in the “eyes” of our patients maybe one of the best thing we can do. I dare not say 100% but it sure is not impossible.  I invite you to walk the way of your patient and find out what they would like to see.

• When you go to the clinic, how long do you like to wait? How do you want to make the waiting more pleasant? Is the waiting area comfortable enough for you?
• Is the secretary approachable? Is her work area organized and uncluttered? Do you have a sense that your records are safe and intact?
• Is the clinic clean and  uncluttered?
• Is the doctor accommodating, unhurried and  fully understands your concerns?
• How do you like the doctor to explain things to you?

Picture yourself as the patient and see the whole process  in his eyes. You might see something surprising to say, why did I not think of that?

How about you, whose eyes  do you use in shaping your practice?

photo credit: idea go/freedigitalphotos.net

I’m back!

Pardon the hiatus! It’s been busy. It’s been tiring but it’s been fun too! It’s been a  great  past  weeks with all its twists and turns but all useful, insightful and for some reasons I may not know now, all for the greater good!

I have this urge to write about friends .  I am grateful for friends. You know… the kind who sticks with you…mirrors things to you.  Many things become possible when friendship reigns.  Work becomes easier. Differences become opportunities.  Difficulties become bearable.  Communication does not always mean spoken with friends. Isn’t that great?  Less noise, more understanding.  How’s that for a definition of friendship?

But this blog is about work, how can I be a friend?  Imagine patients as your friends. Imagine how powerful that is. Imagine how it can work wonders for you and for your patient.  The attitude is welcoming.  There is listening and focus as you get lost in each other’s company. Less judgemental. Spoken and unspoken words are captured. Candid but truthful.  Aren’t they all fundamentals in  a good patient – doctor relationship?

While others say friendship with patients can lead to ethical issues that may compromise care, it can go either way depending on how we choose it to be.

What’s your choice?

photo credit: Master isolated images/freedigitalphotos.net

I recently had a root canal.  I have been postponing this for a time. I have never thought of as many   delaying tactics  ever! Root canal has a reputation for being painful. This must be the same thing  my patients  due for boosters ( specially the four year olds !)   is feeling .  I can almost here them say to their moms, “Can we do it another time ….please?”

Dr. D, my dentist has been looking after my teeth for quite sometime now.  My sister calls her Dr. G (“Dr. Ganda”) because she is pretty. She is also a Dr. “D” as in diver.  It helps so much if you have a dentist like her.  She walked me through what will happen (though I still got the jitters). It does help to know if patients are aware of how things are going to be even if in a general way.  Some wants more details , so we ought to give it to them.

I was given some stress balls like this.

Ha ha ha, if only the stress balls could complain! At several points during the procedure , she gently told me to just press on the stress balls. It did helped! Anticipating needs of patients is a way to make them feel better about a procedure specially if it is something that is new to them.

It also helps that Dr. D has a gentle and reassuring voice. She is very sensitive to my cues (cues as in a little bit of tensing here and there…) and gives some reassuring  remarks.  Patients feel good when they know that their doctor is very aware of how they are  as procedures are done.  Its a skill as well as a discipline  to be conscious about the way the patient is feeling at the same time  focusing on what is being done.  Thank God  she is that way!

It is also reassuring to  patients when they are told that should they have any concern,their doctor is readily accessible.

It is not hardline advertising that makes patients come, believe me.

Have you had a root canal or a similar experience? How was it?

photo by Gregory Szarkiewicz/freedigitalphotos.net