When caring for patients, being there doesn't mean just being there

Is your doctor really there?

Suzanne Koven, MD

Suzanne Koven, MD, gave this question some thought after seeing a "Doctor present" sign at a pharmacy while traveling in Dublin. 

Am I “present” in my practice, even when I am in? Though we all like to think of ourselves as exceptions when it comes to unflattering statistics, the likelihood is that I am not as present as I think I am or would want to be. If we define “presence” for a doctor as maintaining eye contact, paying close attention to what a patient is saying and not interrupting the statistics aren’t pretty.

One reason is time. Another is volume.

In 2010, there were 1 billion physician office visits, with 55.5 percent visits with primary care doctors. The top reason for the visit was a cough. And the top diagnosis was hypertension. More than 51 percent of those visits lasted 15 minutes or less.

But those 15 minutes need to count.

Patient engagement is the buzz of the health care industry. Everyone from marketers to quality directors are embracing and exploiting it.

Here are three ideas for better patient engagement — and it starts with "being there."

1. Be ready: Patients must do their part to clearly articulate their ailment. If patients spend a little time to prepare before their appointment, they will better understand their treatment plans and their satisfaction will skyrocket.
2. Be in the moment: Caregivers must listen first. And listen well. You are face-to-face with another human being — make a connection and understand the obstacles that stand in the way of compliance with your care plan. Look beyond the individual in front of you and absorb the totality of the person and his or her environment. That will help you develop a care plan that will actually be effective and successful.
3. Be encouraging: Nobody likes to go see the doctor, even if it's for a "well checkup." Your caregivers poke, prod, ask personal and sometimes seemingly embarrassing questions and, of course, weigh you. And when the advice is "lose weight" or "just take these," caregivers need to try to be a little more encouraging to patients who see these encounters as their Sisyphus moments. A little communication goes a long way — and makes for a happier and healthier patient.

This post originally appeared on EngagingPatients.org, a blog dedicated to advancing patient and family-centered care. I am a member of the Engaging Patients Advisory Board and write for the blog. 

Cranberry harvest time … like you've never seen before!

Cranberries never looked like this!

Take a picturesque early autumn harvest, add in a couple of rad professional wake boarders and shoot in ultra-slo mo HD and you get a wild ride through some Wisconsin cranberry bogs.

This film, by Alex Horner, and shot at Bartling's Manitowish Cranberry Co., is a great way to educate people about cranberries.

Let's think of ways to use this "edu-entertainment" technique with health care!

I had the opportunity to co-produce and direct a YouTube web series with Adam Buck, for Red Bull Media House in 2012 called Winch Sessions. This was by far my favorite episode, and some of my crews best work. Along with amazing imagery, you get to learn how cranberries are harvested. No berries were destroyed while making this. Cranberries are tough as hell, there was zero waste of food. As far as sanitation goes, it's an open body of water. A few dudes in wetsuits wont hurt a thing. Riders - Brian Grubb and Ben Horan Producers - Adam Buck, Alex Horner Executive Producers - Scott Bradfield, David Brooks, Charlie Rosene of Red Bull Media House Concept - Adam Buck Director - Alex Horner Cinematography - Ryan Taylor and Alex Horner Assistant Camera - Brian Suerth Field Mixer - Patrick Schaefer Post Sound Design and Mix - Nick Mihalevich Editor - Alex Horner Photography - Ryan Taylor Location scout - Sam Kovar Music: Horner Music - Light on Blue Tycho - Daydream www.hornerpictures.com

Source: John Nack on Adobe blog

Photo Friday: Penitentiary Operating Room

ORs have come a long way. 

This is the Operating Room in 3 Block at the Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, used to do minor procedures on inmates until the prison closed in 1971.

It was a lot cleaner when it was in use!

Operating Room at Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, shot September 4, 2013.

When dreams of sushi lead to life lessons

Is sushi the perfect food?

Jiro Ono. From Magnolia Pictures.

It may be when in the hands of octogenarian sushi master Jiro Ono. It is also the embodiment of the quest for perfection — and a life lesson.

Once you decide on your occupation, you must immerse yourself in your work. You have to fall in love with your work. Never complain about your job. You must dedicate your life to mastering your skill. That's the secret of success and is the key to being regarded honorably.

Jiro's sushi. From Magnolia Pictures.

Those were Jiro's opening lines in "Jiro Dreams of Sushi," the 2011 film directed by David Gelb and released by Magnolia Pictures.

Jiro owns Sukiyabashi Jiro, a 10-seat sushi-only restaurant in a Tokyo subway station and the first restaurant of its kind to be awarded a prestigious three-star Michelin Guide rating. 

Jiro has been making sushi since he was 9 and now works alongside his eldest son, Yoshikazu Ono, who at age 50-plus is still his apprentice and heir apparent.

Watch "Jiro Dreams of Sushi" for a reminder of what it takes to really be the best. And if you ask that of Jiro, he will likely say he doesn't know — at 87 he is still seeking to improve! 

Should you trust your doctor?

Yes. Maybe. But do a little asking around first.

An opinion piece on CNN.com from Anthony Youn, MD, a Detroit-based plastic surgeon, has some good, common-sense advice for everyone seeking a physician.

Start by poking around online. Online health care rating services like Healthgrades have long had information about quality and malpractice experience (usually taken from state databases). They are now being joined by the likes of Angie's List, where patients rate doctors on the experience they had.

One of Dr. Youn's specific pieces of advice: 

Be cautious of doctors who advertise too much. The quality of a doctor is often inversely proportional to the size of his or her ad.

This may be less true as physicians and large practices join even larger health systems where advertising will become an increasingly important part of practice building and practice management. The irony is when I accessed the page on CNN.com, the right column included sponsored links from physicians!

Dr. Youn's final advice:  

So should you trust your doctor?

Yes.

After you do your research.

Just what the doctor ordered.