Agree with you and your observations apply to all health professions, esp related to your close-‘First of all, good luck agreeing on who is, in fact, the very best. Secondly, when we hire a professional or a tradesman, we are seeking competence, fairness, and integrity’.
It’s all about the complete patient experience, and that starts well before they even walk through your clinic doors.
ie) how your staff handles that first office call or referral in or out sets the tone for the patient by welcoming them in or turning them away
A few months ago took a friend to their GI for a follow up and they had a huge garbage can in front overflowing with McDonalds and other fast food packaging. I thought eating that food might be part of the problem
There is definite benefit having colleagues who have specialized expertise. However, medicine has become so specialized that sometimes a provider can miss the big picture because they are hyperfocused on their area of specialty. This is where humility and recognizing our biases is important. And when we recognize this, then we can make better decisions to help our patients…and sometimes that is referring to someone else. Sometimes that means questioning our differential.
I have Crohn's disease and I love my local generalist GI who manages my care. That being said, I've had a couple of times during the course of my disease that I have sought a second opinion from IBD specialists. I love that my GI is humble and kind enough that even if he doesn't believe it is necessary from his perspective, he supports me when I need extra advice to feel confident with my care. The decision to "refer out" for another opinion should not be made by you alone. Patients need to feel confident that they are making the right treatment choice for them and in my case I always feel welcome to do so.
Agree with you and your observations apply to all health professions, esp related to your close-‘First of all, good luck agreeing on who is, in fact, the very best. Secondly, when we hire a professional or a tradesman, we are seeking competence, fairness, and integrity’.
It’s all about the complete patient experience, and that starts well before they even walk through your clinic doors.
ie) how your staff handles that first office call or referral in or out sets the tone for the patient by welcoming them in or turning them away
Excellent points. I agree! Thx for reading.
A few months ago took a friend to their GI for a follow up and they had a huge garbage can in front overflowing with McDonalds and other fast food packaging. I thought eating that food might be part of the problem
Laura, excellent detective work! I think you're on to something. Reminds me of the expression, 'garbage in, garbage out. Thx for reaching out.
Well stress and processed foods is a recipe for disaster. Not that I am perfect but
I agree, Laura, that perfection should not be our standard! If you crack the code on avoiding processed foods and stress. let me know.
Dr. Kirsch - please note a direct message I sent you via the Substack app.
There is definite benefit having colleagues who have specialized expertise. However, medicine has become so specialized that sometimes a provider can miss the big picture because they are hyperfocused on their area of specialty. This is where humility and recognizing our biases is important. And when we recognize this, then we can make better decisions to help our patients…and sometimes that is referring to someone else. Sometimes that means questioning our differential.
I have Crohn's disease and I love my local generalist GI who manages my care. That being said, I've had a couple of times during the course of my disease that I have sought a second opinion from IBD specialists. I love that my GI is humble and kind enough that even if he doesn't believe it is necessary from his perspective, he supports me when I need extra advice to feel confident with my care. The decision to "refer out" for another opinion should not be made by you alone. Patients need to feel confident that they are making the right treatment choice for them and in my case I always feel welcome to do so.