Joel Palau’s Post

WE ONLY GET OUR OWN ‘REALITY’ Tales from the NHS today - from both sides of the equation (i.e. patients and carers). I was speaking with a doctor friend, who was bemoaning the state of things, especially in A&E, where she witnessed a patient with a broken hip having to sit in a chair all night. First World healthcare at its best… not. 💔😥 And we got to talking about her experience of that, and the patient’s. Which led to me reflecting on a painful experience of my own that I had in a super-busy, woefully under-resourced A&E department. After that context-setting, would it surprise you to learn that in all these situations, suffering is entirely optional? 😮 Have a watch of this short clip and see what you make of it. Now I want to be clear about this (because I know what minds are like!) – there’s no “should” underlying any of this. Not for my doctor friend, not for any little old ladies, not for you, not for me. Nothing in particular “should” (or, equally, should not) be done in these situations. All we’re doing is describing situations and how they’re being experienced, with clarity. What you do with that is entirely up to you! I’d like to think we can act from a place of compassion and understanding. That said, anger, frustration and upset are equally valid. Whatever shows up. Just know that any and all responses are on the table, because I’d hate for you to be caught up in the erroneous belief that when a particular set of circumstances arise, this dictates how we should feel. Because it just doesn’t. 💟 Giles p.s. These no-nonsense Daily Reminders can make their way to your inbox, by following the link in my Bio

Bringing up sensitive medical conditions like obesity and drug & alcohol dependence with patients can be daunting, but it's a crucial step toward their well-being. As a GP, I've found that initiating these conversations in a supportive and non-judgmental manner is critical. I aim to empower my patients to take charge of their health through motivational interactive discussions. By fostering open dialogue and active listening, I guide them toward developing comprehensive plans involving multiple disciplines of medicine. Insight from the patient is paramount in crafting these plans, as it ensures they feel heard and involved in their care journey. Regular follow-ups and ongoing motivation and support further reinforce their commitment to change. Building trust with patients takes time, but it becomes the cornerstone of their care once earned. Together, we work towards cultivating healthier habits and achieving sustainable lifestyle changes. As a GP, I'm honored to be at the center of my patients' care, guiding and supporting them every step towards a happier, healthier life. #PatientCare  #HealthAndWellness  #GPJourney

#12 - One of the best favors I can do for a family (and myself) is to reach out early if I see the case has potential to go poorly. The better my rapport with the family, the better buy-in I will have, which is important when I’m delivering bad news. When a patient isn’t improving as expected, and I see that difficult decisions may lie ahead, I follow this pattern: Conversation #1: 🔵 I introduce myself to the patient and/or family and ensure they understand the medical situation. I explain the unknowns. (e.g.: “Right now, we don’t know if Sally’s breathing will improve.”) [Keep it open ended] 🔵 I explain what we are doing in the meantime: “We will continue to give best supportive care including breathing treatments, etc...” 🔵 Then I leave them with a thought: “Of course, I want Sally to live long and recover, but we should also be prepared for the worst-case scenario so that we can give direction to the medical team. One question to think about is: would Sally ever want to be intubated?” Now, the patient/family are ✅ 1) grounded with the potential of things going poorly, and ✅ 2) aware of the most pressing question to answer. 🔵 Finally, ask them to talk again in the coming days. Conversation #2 simply carries these topics forward. Even if the worst case has moved from possible to inevitable, I often find that the discussion progresses smoothly without shocking or blindsiding the family. _______________________________________________________________________________ As a healthcare provider for the chronically ill and terminal, I give bad news every day and I have learned how to do it well—plus mistakes to avoid. During January, I will release a series on how to effectively deliver bad news with confidence and understanding.   #healthcare #palliativecare #difficultconversations #emotionalintelligence

Overcoming anxiety and fear is crucial for self-care. During emotionally charged situations, such as facing a serious illness, people may unintentionally block out information, leading to poor decision-making. This can result in negative outcomes, particularly when family members have differing views on treatment. To help you make sound healthcare decisions, here are a few tips: Only Rely On Trusted Sources.  Turn to sources like the CDC and top medical centers like The Mayo Clinic Be Mindful of Your Emotions.  Recognize how anxiety might affect your decisions. Bring a trusted person to appointments for support. Reach Out to Your Medical Team. Consult your primary care doctor and specialists if you have symptoms or questions. Get Paperwork in Order. Completing these documents before anything goes wrong supports your future decision-making and ensures family members know each other’s wishes. For more tips, visit our website. _ _ _ Have emotions ever influenced healthcare decisions for you or your loved ones? Let me know in the comments below.    For more tips, link to the full article in the comments.    Need healthcare advice? At Wellworth, my team and I advise family offices and their clients on healthcare issues that require bespoke advice.    Book a time with me via the link in the comments.  #healthcare #advice #decisions

New episode of the Medicine Mondays Series What Does Preventative Health Mean At Your Age https://lnkd.in/ePdTwxzY #DrBerryPierreTV #MedicineMondays

You used to get confused when patients canceled appointments between visits six and eight. You'd call and ask if something happened. But they'd say, "No, I feel great! You did an amazing job." You were puzzled. More visits remained. Yet they felt no need to come in. Over time, you realized folks cancel around visits six to eight because they start feeling better. However, no one emphasized the importance of fixing the root cause - not just symptoms. That's what happens when you don't educate. Patients stop at phase one and never move to phase two: priming their system. Now you know to explain upfront: more work remains after initial relief. Help your patients understand the necessity of unraveling root causes, not just easing symptoms. Motivate them to persist through phase two - it establishes lasting wellness. Stay the course together. Don't quit halfway.

Tips For Talking to your Doctor You may feel anxious about approaching your doctor, particularly if health care professionals have not been supportive about your lipoedema problems in the past. Here are some tips to help you when you are talking with your doctor: 💜Take a close friend or family member with you; they could take notes for you. 💜Choose a GP who knows you and is easy to talk to. 💜If you have weight problems, anticipate that the doctor may want to focus on this. You might want to acknowledge that you have weight to lose and how you are working towards a healthy way of living. 💜Avoid raising lots of issues in one appointment. Be realistic about what you can achieve in 10 minutes. Write down some points to discuss, or questions and concerns to refer to when in the consultation 💜Give them our Talk Lipoedema leaflet, tell them about our website (there is a section for professionals), or give them the GP letter of introduction available on our website. 💜Don’t expect the doctor to read your mind. Ask for the help you think you need. 💜Ask them to refer you to a local lymphoedema service or other specialists that may be able to help. Depending on your problems, you may benefit from seeing others such as: a vascular surgeon; pain specialist; podiatrist, psychologist; weight management service; or physical activity instructor. We often hear that health professionals mistake the word you are using when you say lipoedema, and believe you mean lymphoedema. Many health professionals have not yet heard of lipoedema. If you do experience these difficulties with talking to your doctor, ask them to look at our website, download the information for health care professionals, or take them our ‘letter for your GP’: https://lnkd.in/ebBrwcva #TalkLipoedema #LipoedemaCharity #Lipoedema #Lipedema #LipoedemaLegs #LipedemaLegs #LipoedemaAwareness #LipedemaAwareness #LipoedemaCommunity

🌟 Your Path to Recovery 🌟 Taking the first step towards recovery is a brave decision, and at Spero Health, we're here to support you every step of the way. Start by meeting with our medical professionals who will help assess your needs and create a tailored plan just for you. 🔍 Assess Your Needs: Meet with our medical professionals to determine the best approach for recovery. 📝 Create an Individualized Plan: Collaborate with our team to develop a recovery plan that combines therapy, medication, and holistic approaches. 🤝 Consistent Support: Engage in therapy sessions, support groups, and regular check-ins to stay committed to the recovery journey. 📈 Monitor Progress: Regularly evaluate and adjust the recovery plan, celebrating milestones along the way. 💪 Embrace a Healthier Future: Regain control of life, find hope and purpose, and take pride in resilience. At Spero Health, we’re here to help find the right treatment plan for each unique journey to recovery. #RecoveryJourney #SperoHealth #PersonalizedCare #Support #HealthierFuture

Fortune published an excerpt from the new book that I co-wrote with Marnie Hall, “Hypochondria: What's Behind the Hidden Costs Healthcare Costs in America.” Here we focus on how America overwhelms its emergency rooms, making quality care less accessible and more expensive. Those with hypochondria/illness anxiety disorder, me among them, only exacerbate this process by frequently visiting the ER to address their many health issues, real or imagined.    If, like me, you’ve waited in the ER for hours on end, one solution to speeding up this process is diverting nonemergency medical issues through mobile health programs to urgent cares and primary care physicians to administer a higher, more personal level of care at a lower cost. This change can ease the burden on our country’s emergency rooms and lead to more effective, efficient patient care for everyone—including hypochondriacs.   For other thoughts, read the full excerpt here and pre-order the book now, due out June 18 (link in comments): https://lnkd.in/eHeeaZ8S   #Hypochondria #HealthAnxiety #Healthcare   

Trust your doctor's advice—it could save a life. I remember this one time in medical school. We had this chubby little boy admitted with severe diarrhea. He'd been in the ward just one day when his parents decided to take him home against medical advice. His condition wasn't good, and his IV line had come out. His veins collapsed due to dehydration, making it hard to secure another line. But his mom didn't want him to go through another needle stick. Home again, the boy continued having diarrhea and wasn't drinking enough to replace lost fluids. He became so lethargic he couldn't sit up. Mom rushed back to the hospital, carrying him in her arms. Traffic was heavy, and by the time they reached the emergency room, he had already passed away. As doctors, we strive to do our best for our patients. We understand parents don’t want to see their children hurting, but sometimes the situation is more complicated than it seems. Collapsed veins and difficult IV lines are challenging, but treatable. However, we need parents to trust us. We never want to harm your kids. In difficult situations, having that complete trust can make all the difference. Next time your doctor advises something, think twice before dismissing it. Trust is a two-way street. For the sake of your loved ones, trust your healthcare professionals. 🤝 Let's work together for better health outcomes. Have you had a similar experience? How did trust play a role? Share your thoughts!