I love health providers who notice their patients.
I once had an appointment to visit an oral surgeon. This was no one I had ever seen before, but the surgeon to whom my dentist referred folks.
When I walked into the huge office, I was struck by how finely decorated it was – and it was huge! I was the only patient waiting – it was the middle of the afternoon.
I was consulting with him because I was getting braces as an adult and had been told Invisalign wouldn’t give me perfectly straight results. For conventional braces I needed a couple of teeth removed.
My dentist had done the x-rays and I had them with me.
I was called back for my appointment and the oral surgeon finally came in the room to see me. He never spoke with me other than to tell me to open my mouth, then told the nurse to take new x-rays and swept out of the room.
“Wait,” I called after him.
I looked at the nurse and said “I don’t want more x-rays.”
A few things about me you need to know. My mom was a nurse who thought too many x-rays were prescribed for people. She was wary of getting too many.
I also worked in the insurance industry and knew getting treatment for no reason raises everyone’s costs.
Bottom line, I did not want more x-rays. Plus remember this is a consultation – no surgery had been scheduled and I was still in the deciding stage.
The nurse seemed surprised I would question the doctor,
I asked, “Does he always walk out without talking to patients?”
She didn’t answer.
“Tell him I want to talk to him.”
Forty-five minutes later he came back into the room. Remember there were no other patients waiting to see him? He was on a personal call – and nothing of consequence (yes, I listened because I could.”
I can’t believe I didn’t just leave, but by this time I was angry. He was too – he walked back in, both angry and arrogant.
I asked why he needed another x-ray. The reason he gave me didn’t make sense. He seemed to think I should just follow along without asking questions. That was not me.
I finally stood up and said, “You need to listen to your patients, You might learn something some day – like they are a critical part of your team.”
He said something rude as I was walking away, but it didn’t matter. I’d never pay him a dollar. Invisalign braces worked fine for me.
How medical professionals treat me matters not just because of my own treatment, but that of others. We can’t reinforce bad behavior. The knowledge we have of our own body and our own preferences is critical. Most don’t need a reminder but when they do, be bold.
You matter.
Invest in those things you love. I’m investing in providers who notice their patients.
“It’s far more important to know what person the disease has than what disease the person has.” – Hippocrates
In the Box, Out of the Box 