Thais Abernethy
Today I would like to talk about doctors and our relationship and interaction with them. Most of us have our favorite docs, nurses and hospitals based on our experiences or because of friends and/or word of mouth. Word of mouth is a powerful tool we have to network. If we like or dislike something or someone, word of mouth can break or make any company or individual.
Today’s tip – Be not afraid of doctors and the health care system. Your doctors are part of your caregiving team. You are also part of this team. This team is formed exclusively for the well-being of our loved one who is the captain of this team. I know it is overwhelming to say the least. As a caregiver and/or family member helping, it is (for me) one of the most important aspects of caregiving and personal sanity. Technology, in this case, is one of the most powerful tools you can have. From email to cell phones, this way of communication is a must for me. The majority of this new generation of doctors appreciates this form of communicating with family members and patients.
The email and cell phone was my lifeline with all the doctors (4 heart specialists) at UVA. UVA hospital promotes and encourages their doctors to communicate with their patients and families this way. If you go online, you will see all the doctors, their bio and email address. It was great and refreshing to see. They volunteered their cell phone numbers and their office personnel for my needs and the needs of my husband Bo. If they were available, the returned calls, text messages, or emails were immediate. If they were unavailable, their nurses and/or support staff answered. The key was that I was taken care of and never had to wait for answers. Read Thais’ column.
