My maiden aunt, who’s in her mid-70s and in a nursing home, had some medical problems. Throwing up blood was reported. The home sent her to the hospital. Initially, the ER didn’t believe, but her problem was made obvious, when she did it for them. So a “stomach scope” test was scheduled. As her proxy, I consented under the gun.
So, here’s my rant. None of these caring professionals gives a damn outside of their little specialty.
We arrive to “check up” on her and we found her back in her room. Getting a nurse to talk to me was a chore. Nurse seemed like it was a bother. I asked about getting her something to eat now that there was “no trouble found”. No doc orders. Dig up doc for orders. Order food; no one in the food prep to deliver food. Food arrives (and it was nice), but no silverware. Find silverware, but the aide had time to take a personal cell phone call in her room while we all waited. I feed the aunt by cutting up the food and cajoling her.
There is a silent disrespect to the patient and the family.
It’s hard to put your finger on. Maybe they are overworked. Maybe they feel they are underpaid. Maybe it’s because we don’t pay the bill directly and they don’t see us as the consumer. Maybe, maybe, maybe. As I said it’s hard to put your finger on it. But it’s there. It palpable.
If this is an example of medicine of the future, then we are in big trouble.
Sigh!
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Posted by reinkefj 
Reinke Faces Life 
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