The Importance of Positive Thinking
Yesterday I became painfully aware of the importance of psychology in additional to medical knowledge when it comes to a doctor working with patients. I had gone in for a simple consultation on orthotics and came away feeling devastated.
I had seen this podiatrist last summer for a gait analysis and to get orthotics. Having been pleased with her at the time, I thought of her as the warm weather made me want to put on my sandals.
I have an old pair of Naots which I got at the factory in Israel several years ago. As with all Naots, the insert can be replaced by a custom orthotic. I also wanted to get her advice on other more dressy sandals. Seemed easy enough.
My friends and family have been extremely supportive of my recovery efforts from the hip replacement surgery just a little over 3 months ago. My gait isn’t perfect, but I walk unassisted and my hip seems to be getting stronger.
I fully expected the same response from my doctor. But instead after a brief examination and watching me walk for a few minutes, she proceeded to tell me how my right hip was protruding, my right ankle was frozen, and a few other random comments that were equally unsupportive. She said I should quickly see a physical medicine doctor to deal with my scoliosis. She basically recommended against my wearing sandals at all and proceeded to show me pictures of shoes that an 80-year-old woman might wear in desperation.
I let her know that her remarks were not helpful, and in fact that they were extremely damaging to my psyche as I attempt to return to normal. Although she apologized and said she was just trying to look out for my future welfare, I don’t think she realized what a blow this was to me. I walked out of that office feeling like the wind had been taken out of my sails.
My husband, who is the consummate Internet shopper, found a site for custom Naot orthotics at a reasonable price. I’m planning to wear sandals in hot weather for the rest of my life. Certainly at 60 I’m not ready for socks and oxfords year-round!
I saw another doctor just today to deal with my aging bones. She was supportive and encouraging as she proposed a natural way to cope with yet another issue of getting older. It was refreshing to see how much difference a smile and a positive attitude could make. It reminded me that the mental component of healing may well be just as important as the medicinal one.
posted by Barbara at 11:47 AM
16 Comments:
I'm glad you said something to the doctor to let her know her remarks were damaging. Doctors can sometimes get lost in cold clinical analysis and forget they're talking to people, and this was no doubt a valuable reminder for her!
I'm sure you'll be fine in sandals for years to come. :)
Steve -- I have learned that sometimes you have to stand up for yourself. Thanks for the vote of confidence!
Sometimes doctors are so busy trying to fix that they don't see what else they're breaking in the process.
I think more people (myself included) should put themselves in the position of others. Given her own advice, she might have been devastated, too.
You've made such great progress lately!
I have learned that a doctor's "bedside manner," the way he or she communicates with patients, is just as important as the doctor's medical skills. That means doctors should take care not to be overly negative or overly alarmist when dealing with patients. I won't stay with a doctor, no matter how skilled he or she may be medically, who is lacking in this area.
MC -- I feel the same way. When I left her office yesterday, I knew I would not be back.
It's funny- I am currently working with a client where I am providing "Customer Service Training" for doctors! Well I tell people, they are confused...but it addresses exactly the kind of thing you are talking about!
It sounds to ME like you are making AMAZING progress! Don't let someone else rain on your parade :) That's something I am practicing lately...
i have to go to y Diabetes Doctor next week and tell him that my numbers may look good, but I am cheating like a big dog.
i take a lot of medicine, and it allows me to eat things I shouldn't so I wonder if he will reduce the amount of medicine in order to get me to eat more rightly....'Cause thats what its gonna take I'm afraid!
Hey! Are you still biking at all?
While this modern Hippocratic oath does not include the line "...do no harm", it's message is here. Sadly your doctor yesterday "lost" this important piece of her profession. Perhaps your mentioning your reaction to her words will remind her to counsel more thoughtfully.
NOVA PBS
The Hippocratic Oath: Modern Version
I swear to fulfill, to the best of my ability and judgment, this covenant:
I will respect the hard-won scientific gains of those physicians in whose steps I walk, and gladly share such knowledge as is mine with those who are to follow.
I will apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures [that] are required, avoiding those twin traps of overtreatment and therapeutic nihilism.
I will remember that there is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon's knife or the chemist's drug.
I will not be ashamed to say "I know not," nor will I fail to call in my colleagues when the skills of another are needed for a patient's recovery.
I will respect the privacy of my patients, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know. Most especially must I tread with care in matters of life and death. If it is given me to save a life, all thanks. But it may also be within my power to take a life; this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own frailty. Above all, I must not play at God.
I will remember that I do not treat a fever chart, a cancerous growth, but a sick human being, whose illness may affect the person's family and economic stability. My responsibility includes these related problems, if I am to care adequately for the sick.
I will prevent disease whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to cure.
I will remember that I remain a member of society, with special obligations to all my fellow human beings, those sound of mind and body as well as the infirm.
If I do not violate this oath, may I enjoy life and art, respected while I live and remembered with affection thereafter. May I always act so as to preserve the finest traditions of my calling and may I long experience the joy of healing those who seek my help.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/doctors/oath_modern.html
Good for you! She could have said the same things in a much less damaging and hurtful way. You keep on wearing sandals -- my mom is!
LA -- She was truly surprised at my comment and almost didn't know what to say. I doubt this has happened to her very often.
Kristin -- Role reversal is a powerful instructional tool.
Aileen -- Maybe you should enlist this doctor as a client. Her office is close to where we had lunch in Old Town.
Bulletholes -- I'll bet you have always pushed the envelope as far as it would go. I hope the doc reduces your meds so you have to behave to get good numbers.
I haven't climbed back on my bike yet, but the surgeon said I could ride if I wanted to.
LR -- Every doctor's office should have a framed copy of this oath!
Bozoette -- I hope I am wearing sandals at your mom's age (and I hope I know what I have on my feet!)
I'm glad you told her how unhelpful her comments were. I dislike shoes that don't protect my toes, esp. in a big city. (in summer I wear sling backs or ballet slipper style shoes if I'm going out (not for a long walk, hiking or camping, but out around town, dressy ) I like a pretty shoe for going out. But mostly I'm in the mountains or going for very long walks, or hiking--so pretty is not at all important. I doubt I would listen to a doctor like her. But I would ask more questions when visiting doctors I trusted.
I do go barefoot a lot in my own yard.
It is frustrating when someone does manage to "rain on your parade".
Did she offer any helpful advice at ALL? (Such as how to deal with a so-called protruding hip or unfreeze your ankle). If not, I think that would be the most frustrating of all- not getting helpful comments.
Obviously we want all doctors to be honest in their assessments of our injuries- but encouragement and constructive comments are definitely a better way to deal with patients. Perhaps she was absent that day in school.
I wouldn't go back to her either. I've been known more than once to divorce a doctor.
No maypole dancing this year?
Squirrel -- Good advice about protecting one's toes. Foot comfort on any terrain is so important.
Gewels -- Not only did she not offer advice (let's remember she is a podiatrist), she tried to model what my hip looked like and it was this distorted C shape person -- totally gross and inappropriate and untrue (I have a mirror at home!)
As for Maypole dancing, there are other painful issues over the loss of the Maypole guru in my life. I'm working hard to get beyond that one as well. I will take down the pole and unwind the ribbons later this week. A fitting way to mark the end of an era as well as the anniversary of my one and only May dance.
I wouldn't go by what this podiatrist has said. My experience with them tells me they are always trying to act and speak as if they are just as expert as professionals who have superior qualifications and knowledge as they have. I can wear sandals that have been completely refashioned with a rocker sole and fit my orthotics and I have a really weird diabetic syndrome called Charcot's Foot. There aren'y many nice shoes that I can wear for more than a few hours though, sad to say.
Keep on "rehabbing" your way to as much of your old life as possible. You have an amazing attitude and spirit!
MOI -- You are a great role model for positive thinking! You have dealt with and overcome so much. Good to hear from you!
Post a Comment
<< Home