The Magical World of Medicine

The Magical World of Medicine

Rev. Dr. Thomas M. Wallace DD ThD

After 24 years in retail pharmacy as a technician, working for a major insurance company and one of Southern California’s largest medical practices, I have learned a few things you should know.

You remember when we were all kids and thought all doctors were supermen? It was like they were all hero’s who could do no wrong. Guess what, it’s time to grow up.

This blog with deal with the truth behind the practice of medicine, and one of the most important needs we as patients need. Patient Advocates!

I can’t help but laugh out loud when I read of nurses being patient advocates in doctors’ offices or hospitals. That’s like having a fox in the hen house to be an advocate for the chickens.

Please, give me a break.

We need to come together as patients and family’s to create a true source of patient advocates. Clearly the doctors and hospitals will not pay a true advocate to question them or their techniques, or their diagnosis. If we are to secure good medical treatment for our selves and our loved ones, we need true patient advocates.

What is a true patient advocate?

While you or your loved one is sick, or suffering form some disease or injury your mind is too busy dealing with the ailment and the stress of doctors, nurses, and unfamiliar surroundings, to grapple with decisions and clearly understanding all the necessary information. 

The Patient Advocate is there to assist you in communicating your feelings and desires with the medical staff. Asking timely and appropriate questions about the diagnosis, treatments, alternatives, and expected outcomes. A patient advocate should verify the dosage, strength, and timing of medications, as well as tests and procedures.

In an inpatient setting the patient advocate will insure the patient receives the help they need. This can include restroom assistance, water, Kleenex, medications, and even receiving their meals on time.

The advocate also insures the patient has clean bed clothes and gowns, as well as help with things like the television or reading materials.

The advocate can alert the nursing staff to empty IV bags, the need for additional pain medication, and even issues with wound care and Foley bags.

A true patient advocate is there to stand up for you in your time of need.

Despite the state and federal laws which mandate the number of patients one nurse can successfully care for, nurses are given far too many patients to handle. This means too little nurse-patient interaction, and dealing with that clearly angry voice you hear when pressing the nurse call button.

The patient advocate can alleviate that with by finding the nurse or going to the nursing station and speaking directly to the nursing supervisor. Yes, this will be met with surly attitudes and behaviors designed to show you just how far out of bounds you have stepped. But the true advocate is there to gently remind the nursing staff that the patient is the reason they have a job.

It’s time to take doctors and nurses down form the pedestal we placed them on in the past and start demanding the respect and care we all deserve.

Do you have information to share about doctors, nurses or facilities? This is the place to let people know what you experienced so they can avoid those problems.

Do you have ideas or innovations to assist patients looking for care and respect? Speak out, we would all love to hear it.

Until next time,

Take Care.

Pastor Tom