Its my first blog for the year 2012.I wish all a wonderful year ahead.
My resolution for this year is - Don't Complain.
However being a doctor by profession if I say this -it does not make sense.Patients see me when they have some complains..hence in medical language we write chief complain.
I meant this in a general way of living life.I think the environment also influences our thoughts & behaviour.When I relocated from UK to India,I was very happy.First few years flew...new work place,setting up new practice......& having my daughter.I did not complain much.I thank my family for all the support .
Things are only getting better over the years.Professionally,I have grown.But somewhere I have learnt to complain excessively.I also think people around me complain excessively.
I read spiritual books & also became member of a spritual networking site.I am proud to say that the spiritual site has promoted me from a 'Wandering Soul' to 'Seeker'.I am waiting to become a master.
I am complaining at the same rate though!
Again coming back to profession,I see a lot of patients also complain more now.Some are so stressed they do not stop with their main complain or they say the same complain again & again!(worried or stressed).Their is also a rise in patient complaints nowadays against doctors or professionals.
To understand patients better & become a part of their movement -I became member of participatory medicine.I paid to become a member & then realised I am anyway pracising or doing what patients expect.However I will next year pay for life membership as it is always nice to keep reading views & learn from them.
Where are we going wrong?Why complain has progressed to more of complaint now?
I did some thinking & my own research.
On a personal level of leading my life,I try to follow the mantra below......well most of the times.
If you don't like something,change it.
If you can't change it ,change your attitude.
Don't complain
At professional level,we need to undersand & implement changes in the way we deal with patients.(I do not like to call patients Consumer or Customer...too old to change that view in my head!)
Imagine telling the nurse "please send the next customer in ".......
First lets go through the dictionary meaning of each.
com·plain
My resolution for this year is - Don't Complain.
However being a doctor by profession if I say this -it does not make sense.Patients see me when they have some complains..hence in medical language we write chief complain.
I meant this in a general way of living life.I think the environment also influences our thoughts & behaviour.When I relocated from UK to India,I was very happy.First few years flew...new work place,setting up new practice......& having my daughter.I did not complain much.I thank my family for all the support .
Things are only getting better over the years.Professionally,I have grown.But somewhere I have learnt to complain excessively.I also think people around me complain excessively.
I read spiritual books & also became member of a spritual networking site.I am proud to say that the spiritual site has promoted me from a 'Wandering Soul' to 'Seeker'.I am waiting to become a master.
I am complaining at the same rate though!
Again coming back to profession,I see a lot of patients also complain more now.Some are so stressed they do not stop with their main complain or they say the same complain again & again!(worried or stressed).Their is also a rise in patient complaints nowadays against doctors or professionals.
To understand patients better & become a part of their movement -I became member of participatory medicine.I paid to become a member & then realised I am anyway pracising or doing what patients expect.However I will next year pay for life membership as it is always nice to keep reading views & learn from them.
Where are we going wrong?Why complain has progressed to more of complaint now?
I did some thinking & my own research.
On a personal level of leading my life,I try to follow the mantra below......well most of the times.
If you don't like something,change it.
If you can't change it ,change your attitude.
Don't complain
At professional level,we need to undersand & implement changes in the way we deal with patients.(I do not like to call patients Consumer or Customer...too old to change that view in my head!)
Imagine telling the nurse "please send the next customer in ".......
First lets go through the dictionary meaning of each.
com·plain
verb (used without object)
1. to express dissatisfaction, pain, uneasiness, censure, resentment, or grief; find fault:
2. to tell of one's pains, ailments, etc.: to complain of a backache.
3. to make a formal accusation
complaint
In legal terminology, a complaint is a formal legal document that sets out the facts and legal reasons (see: cause of action) that the filing party or parties (the plaintiff[s] beliefs are sufficient to support a claim against the party or parties against whom the claim is brought [the defendant(s) that entitle(s) the plaintiff(s) to a remedy (either money damages or injunctive relief
Why the medicolegal cases in India have risen 25-30% or more in the last decade?Errors are bound to happen in any healthcare organisations which are complicated matrix organisations.
Medical error is the third most frequent cause of death in Britain after cancer & heart disease.Medical errors have four times more chance of killing someone than being killed in all other types of accidents.
The key to prevent above is to develop & maintain a good patient doctor relationship.
The qualities a doctor needs (this includes busy surgeons also!!!) is communication skills & empathy.
The qualities a patient needs is to give proper information & be precise. Follow up & communicate.Your doctor may be busy in the clinic or not answering phone calls..get in touch with email.
I also wrote a blog on how to prepare for doctor visit.Its not for humour..we need to follow it as the doctor appointments are tight & you may need to be very well prepared.I do not worry if a patient comes with list of questions but do worry if he comes with googled printouts of what he thinks he is suffering from & his own differential diagnosis!!
Some busy doctors may have team members (qualified doctors ofcourse!) to answer patient queries or have their own website for patient education & getting in touch.If you have not reached this blog through my website,please visit www.entbangalore.in.
Lets hope a healthy & no complain year for all ahead.
