Nothando Swan Wohlgeschaffen, MD CCFP FMCBT’s Post

#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

Transforming Lives, One Shot at a Time 💉 Brad Ellish shares his journey with our practice over the past three and a half years. Discover the difference personalized care makes in optimizing testosterone levels and enhancing overall well-being. Join us on the path to a more fulfilling life. - #TRTJourney #TRT #TRTChanges #TRTSuccess #Testosterone #TRTAwareness #HormoneBalance #TRTCommunity #SelfCare #MentalHealthMatters #LasVegas #Vegas - By watching this video, you automatically consent to our disclaimer: Disclaimer: The medical opinions and advice shared in this post are for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional medical advice.

Sometimes, patients walk into our practice with concerns that go beyond a stubborn bit of popcorn stuck in their teeth. They might grumble about a specific treatment, express hesitation about a procedure, or seem withdrawn. But before jumping to conclusions, consider that the real issue might lie deeper—like peeling back the layers of an onion. The key is to gently peel back these layers, one question, one conversation at a time: 1️⃣ Ask Open-Ended Questions: Encourage patients to share more by asking questions that prompt them to elaborate. Their words can offer vital clues about underlying concerns. 2️⃣ Suspend Judgement: Listen without interrupting, and let them know their feelings are valid. Creating a safe space for open communication is essential. 3️⃣ Become a Partner: Your role isn't to dictate solutions but to guide them in understanding the root cause. By working together, you can identify the core issue. Reaching a resolution requires a shared understanding of the problem. Once you peel back the layers and uncover the true source of their concerns, you can work together toward a solution that builds trust and strengthens the patient relationship. By helping patients peel their own onions, you’ll address their immediate concerns and build stronger, more trusting relationships. And that’s the recipe for a practice filled with happy, healthy smiles. 😁✨ #BetterPracticeBetterLife #PatientCare #DentalPractice #TrustBuilding #PatientExperience #ListeningSkills #EmpathyInAction

I coached several physicians in the last month who are drowning in shitty jobs. There were more similarities than differences. What can I do instead of medicine? I need to get out but don’t know the next best step. I want to start a business but it’s overwhelming. I’ve been dreaming of having my own DPC practice but that feels impossible. But what almost every single one of them needed was rest. They either felt unworthy of rest or it didn’t occur to them to address their exhaustion. It’s scary as hell to take time off to “just rest” but our lives depend on it. Suicidal ideation and attempt increases when an exhausted human is unable to envision a future in which there are less mental/emotional demands. That is medicine for most of us. Talking with other physicians helps. Getting permission (that you don’t really need) from a supportive peer helps too. There’s free coaching available inside the Rebel Physician community, along with dozens of other resources. Join at www.RebelPhysician.com

5 Reasons Why You Should Bring a Support Person to Doctor's Visits 🧑⚕️👫 A lot of times we are just going to the doctor for a simple matter like a cold or a cough; other times we are going to the doctor for a long-term problem or more concerning issue. In the case of the latter, it would be helpful to have a family member or friend with you. The benefits of another body in the room (1-4) are pretty self-explanatory… 1 . Giving details about the patient’s concerns/issues, if needed. 2. Translating, if there is a language barrier. 3. Helping the patient understand the diagnosis and treatment plan. 4. Assisting the patient in making treatment decisions to fit lifestyle/home needs. #5 IS THE MORE IMPORTANT OF THE REASONS IN MY OPINION. 5. Remembering WHAT was said. This is especially true if there is a difficult diagnosis, when frequently the patient cannot remember anything said after the diagnosis. Recently my grandfather has been having heart issues and it has been a great help to have a family member with him for follow-up instructions and medication directions. If you as the patient want to bring someone to a doctor’s visit consider parents, adult children, siblings, spouse/partner, caregivers, neighbors, or friends. Other hints for the visitor (not the patient): >Please do not bring up your own medical complaints. Your focus of the visit should be on the patient, too. >Step out of the room so that the patient can address any personal or confidential issues with the physician. >If you are the caregiver and are overwhelmed, let the physician know. More assistance or respite care can be arranged. As always, 45 Urgent Care is here for you and your family needs. Open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 8 pm (starting Dec. 4th, 2023 updated hour change of Monday-Friday, 8 am-6 pm until otherwise noted) and on Saturday 9 am-5 pm.No appointment is necessary; walk-ins are welcome.

"𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐁𝐞 𝐚 𝐇𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐥𝐞!"  𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 🌟   Juggling family healthcare needs can feel overwhelming. Here's what makes it tough: 🔵 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐝: Medical jargon and complex explanations leave families confused about diagnoses and treatment plans. 🔵 𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬: Keeping track of medical records for multiple family members across different providers can be a hassle. 🔵 𝐋𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Difficulty reaching doctors for quick questions or updates can lead to frustration and anxiety. 🔵 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐳𝐞: Scheduling appointments for multiple family members can feel like navigating a labyrinth. 🔵 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Ensuring everyone in the family receives coordinated care can be challenging. Wouldn't it be great if managing family health felt smoother and more empowering?  #healthcare #familycare #patientportal #communication #coordination #patientcare

As medical professionals, we pour our hearts into our work every day. But sometimes, the challenges can feel overwhelming. It's in these moments that we must remember why we started. Our passion for helping others, our dedication to our craft, and our desire to make a difference - are the things that inspire us to keep going, even when the going gets tough. So, let's take a moment to reconnect with our 'why.' Let it inspire us to continue doing the great work we do. #BurnoutPrevention #MedicalWellnessCoach #HealthyHealer #PhysicianWellness #SelfCareforDocs #WellnessinMedicine #HealthyMedicine #MedicalBurnoutCoach #PreventingBurnout #PhysicianResilience #HealingHealthcare #HealthyHCP #PhysicianMentalHealth #MindfulMedicine

🌟 A Message from Kimberly Warnock, NP-C 🌟 "So when I was younger, I think I didn't realize that everybody is going through something. When you grow up in a great home environment, you just expect to go to school and start your career, and everything just kind of keeps moving as it should. But then there was a day that I realized everyone is dealing with something. This realization came with my son's diagnosis, the biggest impactful thing that's happened to my family. Being aware of this as a clinician helps us treat patients better. Nobody has that 'social media perfect' life; most people are dealing with some sort of battle, whether it's physical, mental, or emotional. As a practice, we aim to be a sounding board for these concerns and support our patients through their challenges. As a provider, I want to validate that whatever you're going through is serious and important." At Lake Country Medical Concierge, we understand that everyone has their own battles. We're here to support you, listen to you, and provide the compassionate care you deserve. #RealLifeStories #CompassionateCare #SupportiveHealthcare #LakeCountryMedicalConcierge

People pleasing is not the same thing as providing patient-centred care.   We've absolutely seen a shift in how we provide care to our patients, and I want to be clear that this is a good thing. Certainly, serving our patients must include understanding their perspectives, their wishes, their fears, and their goals. Patient-centred care focuses in on these things. It does not, however, mean that we cannot use our clinical judgement. Rather, it asks us to use this judgement but also to explain it and to maintain consistency with it. We can come up with care plans that are both safe and respectful. This requires us to assume the best of our patients, to communicate clearly and honestly, and - of course- to establish boundaries around our care. And we must do this consistently. ✅ Patient-centred care means we do our best for each individual, considering both their desires AND our boundaries. ✅ It means we show up predictably and consistently because we've interrogated our reasons for how we practice. ✅ And it means we re-examine our logic with each person we serve. Easier said than done? Happy to walk through this with you on a consult - send me a message. Curious to hear what have your patients taught you lately about providing good care? What clinical boundaries support this? ⬇ #physiciancoach #physiciancoaching #boundariescoach

Honored to join the conversation about Emergency Department patient experience with the amazing Chrissy Daniels and Stephen Meldon, hosted by Emergency Services Institute Experience Officer George Assad. Some Takeaways: - In the ED, the difference between top decile and bottom quartile is just moving "good" to "very good." Don't overindex on the complainers. - Nowhere else in the hospital is teamwork more on display to patients. Build and invest in your teamwork skills. - Building trust is paramount. Simple gestures like getting a blanket for a patient matter a lot. - Lead providers to improve with 4 questions: Choose 3 words you want your patients to use to describe YOU; Identify behaviors that exemplify these values; identify barriers to consistent behavior; TELL YOUR TEAM. If you were with us - what else did you learn? What else would you want to know from this amazing group of leaders? Stephanie Bayer Leslie Jurecko MD, MBA Katie Robbins #PX #patientexperience #emergencymedicine #empathy #burnout #teamwork