restorARTively

My five year old has what looks alot like the infamous pandemic flu of 2009. He also has a tendency to wheezing when he gets any kind of cold or congestion. We had an early morning visit to our pediatrician of almost twenty years (yes, my five year old has a sister who is nearly 20). This pediatrician has seen my children through their sickest, scariest, and darkest of times. Despite moving 45 minutes away from his office at one point, I commuted for his care because of the quality of his care and respectful relationship we have nurtured. I know our doc is among the best at what he does. I also believe he cares for my children and even for me. He has also never hidden his humanity. This morning when I dropped off the script our doc wrote for my five year old the pharmacy tech said, "He [our pediatrician] wrote the wrong dosage. I'm sorry but I will have to call his office before we can fill this." The CVS pharmacy tech phoned the office. The doc's nurse confirmed wh...

"These are very complex issues, but it is really all about relationships." ~Madeline Albright , first female United States Secretary of State Whether international relations, law building or health care delivery it is all about the relationships. Not only the relationships between insurance companies and the insured, but also between insurance companies and the uninsured, between physicians, between physicians and nurses, between risk managers and the patients who walk through the door. Some of these entities never cross paths in person but they have a direct impact on each other's choices an decisions in medical care. My youngest son spent a full week in the NICU before coming home. The twenty four hour access to their new babies that parents are offered on 8 Ravdin at The University of Pennsylvania NICU allows relationships to be built. Relationships are built between parents and the clinicians, parents and other parents, and especially between parents and their n...

Today, I was asked what we could all (stakeholders) do to return our health care system to that which saved my eyesight when I was eight years old (Thank you, Dr. Negry , Havertown , PA). This gentleman theorized "its all about incentives" and all about the patient. I only disagree in so much it is not ALL about the patient - it IS all about RELATIONSHIPS. The patient & physician relationship, the patient & his/her family's relationship, the doctor's relationship with his peers, the nurses, and administration etc.... There is a security that relationships offer that external incentives can never provide. Decision making processes are directly impacted by the emotions that we are experiencing or have previously experienced in similar situations. The best way to encourage positive decision making is within a supportive environment. Such an environment requires active care to nurturing healthy relationships - professional and personal. I spoke to my primary ye...