Well, actually just moved the blog!
Please join Marcus at:
http://marcusengel.com/blog/
Thanks!!
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Why We're Here
Most everyone knows by now that Marvelyne and I are living in New York. Most everyone knows it’s because I’m going to grad school. Some may even be able to state that my area of study is an M.S. in Narrative Medicine. But, over the last year or more, I don’t believe there have been more than a handful of folks who actually know what narrative medicine is. And frankly, a year ago, I was no different. So, here’s the skinny.
Narrative Medicine is a field which has only been around a few years. In fact, the term “narrative medicine” was coined less than a decade ago. To the best of my knowledge, Columbia University in NYC is the sole institution where one can study narrative medicine. Hence, our relocation to NYC for the 2011-12 school year. That’s the logistics, but again, what is it?
Narrative Medicine is a combination of health care, literature, communications, philosophy and a tad bit o’ social work. Interesting, right? But, what does NM do? Well, the goal with narrative med is to take these very complex stories of illness, healing, hospitalization, disease, disability and dying and turn them into something from which others can learn. Let’s take, for example, a story of a patient dying from cancer.
NM can be used by said patient to journal his/her thoughts and feelings as they’re going through the dying process, hopefully on their way to acceptance and peace. It can also be used by the caregivers who are treating the patient. After all, it’s a pretty callous health care pro that spends great amounts of time with a patient and does not get attached in some way.
Now, the tales of the process can be used by other cancer patients, cancer caregivers to understand the patient’s role, learn from the mistakes of other caregivers, etc. Again, NM tries to take these very personal, emotional and complicated stories and put them in narrative form for the comfort of those who are sick, with the added benefit of being an educational tool for the caregiver. Plus, there are many, many other applications I’m not even familiar with yet. But just wait - those times are coming!
Anyone who knows the speaking I do for health care can see the relationship between my work and narrative medicine. But the question still begs to be answered: “Okay Engel, this is interesting and fits you too a T. But, how’s it going to help the work you do?”
Well, for years, my main thrust has been keynote lectures. I’m hopeful for several different things to come out of this narrative med program.
First, books. With as much reading and writing as the program requires, I’m pretty sure there’ll be a few more Marcus titles in the not-so-distant future.
Polishing of my keynote: Through some of the oral communications of narrative med, I hope I can speak with an even more powerful and impacting style.
Third: More offerings to my clients. Now, instead of going too a hospital for a single 1 or 2 hour keynote, I can also teach the skills of narrative to all interested parties. I foresee myself giving my usual lecture on patient care in the a.m., then in the afternoon, meeting with a smaller group of front line caregivers and instructing them in some workshop form exercises about journaling and getting them to see the benefits of NM in their own field.
On Tuesday evening, the Narrative Med program held our orientation. There are approximately 25 students in the program, a little more than half were able to attend (thank you, Hurricane Irene, for at least helping most of us get there.) In my class there are physicians, playwrights, social workers, hospital chaplain, graphic artists, a nurse or two and several folks who’ve recently graduated, thinking they were going to med school, but needing to indulge their love of literature before entering the sterile world of health care.
After introducing ourselves around the room, we got into small groups with a few faculty members. From there, we discussed a poem with a health care slant, then used a prompt for a short writing process. Each person shared something from the prompt, “How did you get here?” We were allowed too interpret that however we saw fit. Most of us took on the task of answering the question about how we came to the field of narrative medicine, myself included. All of us, in some way or another, shared something rather personal… and this seems par for the course in NM. I look forward to these deep, meaningful types of writing instead of the fluff from undergrad English days.
What happens next? Well, next week starts the actual classes. As I get deeper into the program, I’ll share more. In the meantime, please enjoy more of Marvelyne’s musings about our NYC life at:
www.MisadventuresInNYC.com
Narrative Medicine is a field which has only been around a few years. In fact, the term “narrative medicine” was coined less than a decade ago. To the best of my knowledge, Columbia University in NYC is the sole institution where one can study narrative medicine. Hence, our relocation to NYC for the 2011-12 school year. That’s the logistics, but again, what is it?
Narrative Medicine is a combination of health care, literature, communications, philosophy and a tad bit o’ social work. Interesting, right? But, what does NM do? Well, the goal with narrative med is to take these very complex stories of illness, healing, hospitalization, disease, disability and dying and turn them into something from which others can learn. Let’s take, for example, a story of a patient dying from cancer.
NM can be used by said patient to journal his/her thoughts and feelings as they’re going through the dying process, hopefully on their way to acceptance and peace. It can also be used by the caregivers who are treating the patient. After all, it’s a pretty callous health care pro that spends great amounts of time with a patient and does not get attached in some way.
Now, the tales of the process can be used by other cancer patients, cancer caregivers to understand the patient’s role, learn from the mistakes of other caregivers, etc. Again, NM tries to take these very personal, emotional and complicated stories and put them in narrative form for the comfort of those who are sick, with the added benefit of being an educational tool for the caregiver. Plus, there are many, many other applications I’m not even familiar with yet. But just wait - those times are coming!
Anyone who knows the speaking I do for health care can see the relationship between my work and narrative medicine. But the question still begs to be answered: “Okay Engel, this is interesting and fits you too a T. But, how’s it going to help the work you do?”
Well, for years, my main thrust has been keynote lectures. I’m hopeful for several different things to come out of this narrative med program.
First, books. With as much reading and writing as the program requires, I’m pretty sure there’ll be a few more Marcus titles in the not-so-distant future.
Polishing of my keynote: Through some of the oral communications of narrative med, I hope I can speak with an even more powerful and impacting style.
Third: More offerings to my clients. Now, instead of going too a hospital for a single 1 or 2 hour keynote, I can also teach the skills of narrative to all interested parties. I foresee myself giving my usual lecture on patient care in the a.m., then in the afternoon, meeting with a smaller group of front line caregivers and instructing them in some workshop form exercises about journaling and getting them to see the benefits of NM in their own field.
On Tuesday evening, the Narrative Med program held our orientation. There are approximately 25 students in the program, a little more than half were able to attend (thank you, Hurricane Irene, for at least helping most of us get there.) In my class there are physicians, playwrights, social workers, hospital chaplain, graphic artists, a nurse or two and several folks who’ve recently graduated, thinking they were going to med school, but needing to indulge their love of literature before entering the sterile world of health care.
After introducing ourselves around the room, we got into small groups with a few faculty members. From there, we discussed a poem with a health care slant, then used a prompt for a short writing process. Each person shared something from the prompt, “How did you get here?” We were allowed too interpret that however we saw fit. Most of us took on the task of answering the question about how we came to the field of narrative medicine, myself included. All of us, in some way or another, shared something rather personal… and this seems par for the course in NM. I look forward to these deep, meaningful types of writing instead of the fluff from undergrad English days.
What happens next? Well, next week starts the actual classes. As I get deeper into the program, I’ll share more. In the meantime, please enjoy more of Marvelyne’s musings about our NYC life at:
www.MisadventuresInNYC.com
Saturday, August 20, 2011
No More Stinky Eggs
So, we all know the reputation of hospital food, right? Very seldom is the comment made: I was in the hospital and the food was outstanding!
After spending a few days at Lancaster General Health in Lanncaster, PA speaking, I got to know some of their tricks for making hospitalization and health care more pleasing to patients. Cooking mass amounts of food is a tough thing to do well. Lancaster experienced this when patients were complaining about the smell of the eggs on their breakfast plate.
After some research, they figured out that the plastic plate, humidity of the food and the dish cover were together forming a not so perfect storm; one that, strangely enough, gave the egggs a stench. I don't have to explain how bad it could be if a sick or nauseous person gets a whiff off something foul...yeah, more clean up for the front line health care pros.
So, Lancaster General did something about it. They changed the material the plates are made of. Eggs are a delicate thing to get right, but with the slight change, they've eliminated that perfect storm caused by the humidity of the food, material of the plate and dish cover.
To me, this is just one of the multitude of things Lanncaster General does right. It's also one of those things that patients will never notice, but they'll sure notice when it's wrong.
My thanks and props to Lancaster General for taking some extra steps to insure patients are well cared for...and well fed!
After spending a few days at Lancaster General Health in Lanncaster, PA speaking, I got to know some of their tricks for making hospitalization and health care more pleasing to patients. Cooking mass amounts of food is a tough thing to do well. Lancaster experienced this when patients were complaining about the smell of the eggs on their breakfast plate.
After some research, they figured out that the plastic plate, humidity of the food and the dish cover were together forming a not so perfect storm; one that, strangely enough, gave the egggs a stench. I don't have to explain how bad it could be if a sick or nauseous person gets a whiff off something foul...yeah, more clean up for the front line health care pros.
So, Lancaster General did something about it. They changed the material the plates are made of. Eggs are a delicate thing to get right, but with the slight change, they've eliminated that perfect storm caused by the humidity of the food, material of the plate and dish cover.
To me, this is just one of the multitude of things Lanncaster General does right. It's also one of those things that patients will never notice, but they'll sure notice when it's wrong.
My thanks and props to Lancaster General for taking some extra steps to insure patients are well cared for...and well fed!
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Nurses & Hospitals Week 2011
I'm excited about all the bookings I'm getting for Nurses/Hospitals Week 2011. The fact hospitals and nursing orgs are taking such a proactive stance to help their members and employees shows health care turning in a more positive direction.
If your organization is interested in the Marcus Engel programs for Nurses/Hospitals Week 2011, please send me an E mail to Marcus@MarcusEngel.com and let me know. There are still a few dates available on the calendar to help honor the work and committment of health care professionals within your org!
If your organization is interested in the Marcus Engel programs for Nurses/Hospitals Week 2011, please send me an E mail to Marcus@MarcusEngel.com and let me know. There are still a few dates available on the calendar to help honor the work and committment of health care professionals within your org!
The Confidence Of Conditions
Unless you've been living under a rock for the last few weeks, you're probably all too aware of the tragic shooting in Arizona. Congresswoman Gabby Giffords was hit by at least one round , straight in the head, from an automatic pistol shot by a unstable constituent.
As Congresswoman Giffords recovered, we, the media hogs, got daily reports on her condition. We all rejoiced as her condition went from critical to serious to stable. Now that she's in a rehab facility in Houston, we're all breathing a sigh of relief that her life is no longer in jeopardy.
For the first time in a long time, we got to see and hear about her condition being upgraded, week by week. But, from a patient care perspective, how do those conditions effect the family?
The family of Representative Giffords had to also celebrate every time her condition was upgraded. How would they react if her condition was downgraded from serious to critical? How much confidence did they place in the conditions reported by her attending docs?
In my personal hospitalization, I don't recall there ever being any formal conditions. Would that have mattered to me as a patient? To my family? Chances are, yes.
In "Stethoscope" and especially in "I'm Here" I've written about how health care pros can compliment the patient's improvement, no matter how small that improvement is. Even just saying, "This wound is healing nicely" or "The incision site isn't getting any worse" can instill some faith that the patient is, indeed, on his/her way to recovery.
Be very careful about reporting the conditions of patients-always. But, if there's a way to report the patient's condition as an improvement, be liberal with the reports.
As Congresswoman Giffords recovered, we, the media hogs, got daily reports on her condition. We all rejoiced as her condition went from critical to serious to stable. Now that she's in a rehab facility in Houston, we're all breathing a sigh of relief that her life is no longer in jeopardy.
For the first time in a long time, we got to see and hear about her condition being upgraded, week by week. But, from a patient care perspective, how do those conditions effect the family?
The family of Representative Giffords had to also celebrate every time her condition was upgraded. How would they react if her condition was downgraded from serious to critical? How much confidence did they place in the conditions reported by her attending docs?
In my personal hospitalization, I don't recall there ever being any formal conditions. Would that have mattered to me as a patient? To my family? Chances are, yes.
In "Stethoscope" and especially in "I'm Here" I've written about how health care pros can compliment the patient's improvement, no matter how small that improvement is. Even just saying, "This wound is healing nicely" or "The incision site isn't getting any worse" can instill some faith that the patient is, indeed, on his/her way to recovery.
Be very careful about reporting the conditions of patients-always. But, if there's a way to report the patient's condition as an improvement, be liberal with the reports.
Monday, January 24, 2011
It's More Than A Game
East-West Shrine Game is about much more than football
UCF's Bruce Miller: "There's a bigger meaning."
January 20, 2011|By Mike Bianchi, SPORTS COMMENTARY
•
Stephen M. Dowell, Orlando Sentinel
Never even thought about it as anything except a college football all-star game that has been played every year seemingly since the beginning of time.
In the mind's eye, the East-West Shrine Game was always that star-studded, post-holiday classic played in some exotic, faraway locale sponsored by a bunch of men wearing funny hats.
But with the game being played at the Citrus Bowl on Saturday, we should all recognize that those Shriners are more about good deeds than funny fezzes. And the East-West Shrine Game is much more than a chance for college football stars to improve their NFL draft status; it's a chance for them to improve the life status of a bunch of sick kids.
"Strong legs run so that weak legs can walk," says George Mitchell, the Imperial Potentate (head honcho) of Shriners International. "Everything we do is geared toward helping the Shriners Hospital for Children."
If ever there were a sporting event for our city to get behind, this is the one. Is there really a better cause than a network of 22 hospitals that offer quality care for kids who are burn victims or have suffered spinal cord injuries or are born with birth defects? These are hospitals that serve thousands of kids worldwide whether their families are able to pay or not.
Kids like 13-year-old Danny Happy, who four years ago had his life altered forever. On July 10, 2007, a private plane shockingly fell from the sky and landed in Danny's home in Sanford. His 4-year-old sister Gabriela died and Danny was burned over 95 percent of his body. Nobody expected him to survive.
He was airlifted to the burn unit at the Shriners Hospital in Cincinnati, where he was put into a medically induced coma so that he wouldn't die from the excruciating pain he was in. Nearly 50 surgeries later, he is a living, breathing testament to the medical miracles that are done by the Shriners.
There will be players in Saturday's game from UCF (defensive end Bruce Miller and offensive tackle Jah Reid), Florida (defensive end Justin Trattou) and Miami (cornerback Demarcus Van Dyke and running back Graig Cooper). If you're a Knight, a Gator or a Hurricane, why not come out to the Citrus Bowl Saturday and support your team? If you're a college football fan, why not come out and watch some of the best players in the nation? Or if you just want to watch a good game and support a good cause, kickoff is 4 p.m.
Too often in these pages, we portray college football as a corrupt sport filled with liars, cheaters and BCS commissioners who have cornered the market on greed. We get inundated with the clanging and clamoring of message board malcontents, bad-tempered bloggers and FireTheCoach.com websites. So seldom do we get to hear the true song of the sport anymore.
Like the sound of Larry Csonka, the Miami Dolphins Hall of Famer who played in the East-West Shrine Game decades ago. He was on TV the other day talking about the game and said something that might surprise you. He said he didn't remember much about the Shrine Game he played in all those years ago. He didn't remember the score or even who won. But what he did remember was the trip he and other players took to the Shriners Hospital.
It's the same story every player who plays in this game will tell you. Every year during Shrine Game week, the players are asked to visit one of the nearby Shriners Hospitals. On Sunday, the players in this year's game were bused over to Tampa to visit the kids.
"There's a bigger meaning to this game," says UCF"s Bruce Miller. "It means a lot more when you're playing for something like this. We're not just out there for ourselves to raise our NFL stock; we're out there raising money for kids who are fighting and battling and struggling with some serious medical issues.
"Visiting these kids in the hospital is one of the most worthwhile things I've ever done. It's great to put a smile on these kids' faces. And you know what? They'll put a smile on your face, too."
If you think Shriners are merely a bunch a crazy guys who wear funny hats and ride miniature motorcycles in parades, think again.
Turns out the men underneath those funny fezzes do some serious good.
Those undersized motorcycles pale in comparison to their oversized hearts.
About the Shrine Game
What: East-West Shrine Game
When: Saturday
Where: Citrus Bowl
Kickoff: 4 p.m.
Tickets: $5-$50, available on ticketmaster.com
UCF's Bruce Miller: "There's a bigger meaning."
January 20, 2011|By Mike Bianchi, SPORTS COMMENTARY
•
Stephen M. Dowell, Orlando Sentinel
Never even thought about it as anything except a college football all-star game that has been played every year seemingly since the beginning of time.
In the mind's eye, the East-West Shrine Game was always that star-studded, post-holiday classic played in some exotic, faraway locale sponsored by a bunch of men wearing funny hats.
But with the game being played at the Citrus Bowl on Saturday, we should all recognize that those Shriners are more about good deeds than funny fezzes. And the East-West Shrine Game is much more than a chance for college football stars to improve their NFL draft status; it's a chance for them to improve the life status of a bunch of sick kids.
"Strong legs run so that weak legs can walk," says George Mitchell, the Imperial Potentate (head honcho) of Shriners International. "Everything we do is geared toward helping the Shriners Hospital for Children."
If ever there were a sporting event for our city to get behind, this is the one. Is there really a better cause than a network of 22 hospitals that offer quality care for kids who are burn victims or have suffered spinal cord injuries or are born with birth defects? These are hospitals that serve thousands of kids worldwide whether their families are able to pay or not.
Kids like 13-year-old Danny Happy, who four years ago had his life altered forever. On July 10, 2007, a private plane shockingly fell from the sky and landed in Danny's home in Sanford. His 4-year-old sister Gabriela died and Danny was burned over 95 percent of his body. Nobody expected him to survive.
He was airlifted to the burn unit at the Shriners Hospital in Cincinnati, where he was put into a medically induced coma so that he wouldn't die from the excruciating pain he was in. Nearly 50 surgeries later, he is a living, breathing testament to the medical miracles that are done by the Shriners.
There will be players in Saturday's game from UCF (defensive end Bruce Miller and offensive tackle Jah Reid), Florida (defensive end Justin Trattou) and Miami (cornerback Demarcus Van Dyke and running back Graig Cooper). If you're a Knight, a Gator or a Hurricane, why not come out to the Citrus Bowl Saturday and support your team? If you're a college football fan, why not come out and watch some of the best players in the nation? Or if you just want to watch a good game and support a good cause, kickoff is 4 p.m.
Too often in these pages, we portray college football as a corrupt sport filled with liars, cheaters and BCS commissioners who have cornered the market on greed. We get inundated with the clanging and clamoring of message board malcontents, bad-tempered bloggers and FireTheCoach.com websites. So seldom do we get to hear the true song of the sport anymore.
Like the sound of Larry Csonka, the Miami Dolphins Hall of Famer who played in the East-West Shrine Game decades ago. He was on TV the other day talking about the game and said something that might surprise you. He said he didn't remember much about the Shrine Game he played in all those years ago. He didn't remember the score or even who won. But what he did remember was the trip he and other players took to the Shriners Hospital.
It's the same story every player who plays in this game will tell you. Every year during Shrine Game week, the players are asked to visit one of the nearby Shriners Hospitals. On Sunday, the players in this year's game were bused over to Tampa to visit the kids.
"There's a bigger meaning to this game," says UCF"s Bruce Miller. "It means a lot more when you're playing for something like this. We're not just out there for ourselves to raise our NFL stock; we're out there raising money for kids who are fighting and battling and struggling with some serious medical issues.
"Visiting these kids in the hospital is one of the most worthwhile things I've ever done. It's great to put a smile on these kids' faces. And you know what? They'll put a smile on your face, too."
If you think Shriners are merely a bunch a crazy guys who wear funny hats and ride miniature motorcycles in parades, think again.
Turns out the men underneath those funny fezzes do some serious good.
Those undersized motorcycles pale in comparison to their oversized hearts.
About the Shrine Game
What: East-West Shrine Game
When: Saturday
Where: Citrus Bowl
Kickoff: 4 p.m.
Tickets: $5-$50, available on ticketmaster.com
Thursday, January 20, 2011
FaceBook Fan Page
I really, REALLY hate to have a fan page on Facebook. To me, it feels kinda schmaltzy; like, I’m limited to the number of friends, but fans? Hey, they’re just numbers. Well, I don’t think of any of my connections as just a number. Rather, I think of pretty much everyone I’ve ever met as a friend.
Yet, Facebook makes the rules. And the rules say no more than 5000 friends on a single page, unless it’s a fan page. So, I created one.
If you’re so inclined, please go to my fan page at:
www.FaceBook.com/MarcusEngelSpeaker
I’d love to be able to transfer all my connections over to this fan page and communicate just as actively with it. Until then, thanks to ALL my friends, fans and connections!
Yet, Facebook makes the rules. And the rules say no more than 5000 friends on a single page, unless it’s a fan page. So, I created one.
If you’re so inclined, please go to my fan page at:
www.FaceBook.com/MarcusEngelSpeaker
I’d love to be able to transfer all my connections over to this fan page and communicate just as actively with it. Until then, thanks to ALL my friends, fans and connections!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
The Value Of Associations
For the last week or two, I've been doing a good deal of health care marketing. Typically, this is to let individuals and organizations know of my services and products for the health care community.
Today, while culling through a list of nursing orgs in California, I was struck by just how much time and effort is put into associations that help promote, well, whatever the association promotes. I ran through list upon list of nurses and health care professionals who not only put in their typical 40 hour week at their job, but who also donate an extraordinary amount of time to perfecting their skills. For me, this is where the true expounding of one's skills lies. I belong to probably five or six associations of speakers and professionals. Not only do I learn as much from these orgs as I can on my own, but it comes into my brain at a fascinating rate. I'd not be half the professional as I am today were it not for the professional orgs of which I'm a member.
What about you? Do you simply put in your hours? Or do you try to improve yourself by associating with like-minded professionals? If the answer is the prior, I hope you'll consider joining an org to help you retain your current skills, build new ones and help create a more a more competent, compassionate professional.
Today, while culling through a list of nursing orgs in California, I was struck by just how much time and effort is put into associations that help promote, well, whatever the association promotes. I ran through list upon list of nurses and health care professionals who not only put in their typical 40 hour week at their job, but who also donate an extraordinary amount of time to perfecting their skills. For me, this is where the true expounding of one's skills lies. I belong to probably five or six associations of speakers and professionals. Not only do I learn as much from these orgs as I can on my own, but it comes into my brain at a fascinating rate. I'd not be half the professional as I am today were it not for the professional orgs of which I'm a member.
What about you? Do you simply put in your hours? Or do you try to improve yourself by associating with like-minded professionals? If the answer is the prior, I hope you'll consider joining an org to help you retain your current skills, build new ones and help create a more a more competent, compassionate professional.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Ozzy Obscenity
I should be finished reading Ozzy Osbourn's autobio later today. Ya wouldn't think that a book about the prince of darkness rocker would have anything related to health care, but it does!
K, picture it...the mid to late 90s. And AIDS. News about AIDS is just everywhere. Reader's Digest, sitting on the tank of my parents' toilet, had an article entitled, "AIDS: Is Anyone Safe?" Every homosexual was suspect, no matter their sex. Diabetics had eyebrows raised because, hey, who knows? Maybe those really aren't insulin syringes. Maybe it's heroin. And everyone shooting heroin obviously has AIDS, right? Well, 20 years later, we know that there is a correlation between AIDS and high risk behavoir, but we no longer think anyone and everyone is living with AIDS or HIV. But, again, think back to those fearful times...
Ozzy, having just gone on a tour and after consistently having unprotected sex with all kinds of groupies, learns of this HIV and AIDS phenomenon. He smartly chooses to have himself tested. Doctor takes his blood and it's a week before the results come back. When Ozzy goes in to get the results, the doctor says, "Well, the good news is that you don't have the clap, herpes or any of the usual sexually transmitted diseases. The bad news is that you're HIV positive." Never mind he's the prince of darkness and the evil persona that is Ozzy...he does what anyone would do: breaks down crying with the knowledge his days are limited.
Then, the doctor's phone rings. After a short conversation, the doc turns back to the Oz Man and says there's been some confusion. His tests did not actually come back as HIV positive, but rather inconclusive. They'd have to do another test and wait another week for the results.
Can you even imagine the emotions that go along with being told you've got a death sentence? Then, whoops! My bad! J/K! You may not die, but I'm going to keep you in limbo for another week until we know for sure.Just hearing this made me sick to my stomach about how this could happen with any patient. It really speaks to the health care professional doing his/her homework before sharing info with a patient. Even if it's as something as a hormone test, a patient doesn't want incorrect news. Inconclusive results with a repeat test is bad enough, but incorrect info? There's just no excuse. And when it's as frightening as AIDS and HIV were in the 80s, that's just pathetic.
So, what was the reason behind this? Ozzy had been doing so many substances that his immune system was no longer functioning. Like, at all. Hence, inconclusive blood tests...but again, inconclusive is one thing, handing someone their death cert is quite another.
Before sharing bad info with patients, check, double check and triple check the information. That emotional dip issomething no patient should have to walk through because of your mistake.
K, picture it...the mid to late 90s. And AIDS. News about AIDS is just everywhere. Reader's Digest, sitting on the tank of my parents' toilet, had an article entitled, "AIDS: Is Anyone Safe?" Every homosexual was suspect, no matter their sex. Diabetics had eyebrows raised because, hey, who knows? Maybe those really aren't insulin syringes. Maybe it's heroin. And everyone shooting heroin obviously has AIDS, right? Well, 20 years later, we know that there is a correlation between AIDS and high risk behavoir, but we no longer think anyone and everyone is living with AIDS or HIV. But, again, think back to those fearful times...
Ozzy, having just gone on a tour and after consistently having unprotected sex with all kinds of groupies, learns of this HIV and AIDS phenomenon. He smartly chooses to have himself tested. Doctor takes his blood and it's a week before the results come back. When Ozzy goes in to get the results, the doctor says, "Well, the good news is that you don't have the clap, herpes or any of the usual sexually transmitted diseases. The bad news is that you're HIV positive." Never mind he's the prince of darkness and the evil persona that is Ozzy...he does what anyone would do: breaks down crying with the knowledge his days are limited.
Then, the doctor's phone rings. After a short conversation, the doc turns back to the Oz Man and says there's been some confusion. His tests did not actually come back as HIV positive, but rather inconclusive. They'd have to do another test and wait another week for the results.
Can you even imagine the emotions that go along with being told you've got a death sentence? Then, whoops! My bad! J/K! You may not die, but I'm going to keep you in limbo for another week until we know for sure.Just hearing this made me sick to my stomach about how this could happen with any patient. It really speaks to the health care professional doing his/her homework before sharing info with a patient. Even if it's as something as a hormone test, a patient doesn't want incorrect news. Inconclusive results with a repeat test is bad enough, but incorrect info? There's just no excuse. And when it's as frightening as AIDS and HIV were in the 80s, that's just pathetic.
So, what was the reason behind this? Ozzy had been doing so many substances that his immune system was no longer functioning. Like, at all. Hence, inconclusive blood tests...but again, inconclusive is one thing, handing someone their death cert is quite another.
Before sharing bad info with patients, check, double check and triple check the information. That emotional dip issomething no patient should have to walk through because of your mistake.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Soothing Trauma
This is probably breaking all kinda HIPAA rules, but here goes anyway...
A few weeks ago, my wife and I were out of town on a biz trip. While heading into Target to grab a couple road items, Marvelyne suddenly started experiencing abdominal pain. Now, my wife is tough as nails and does not complain. So, when the first words out of her mouth were, "I need to get to a doctor", I knew there was no messing around.
Off to urgent care, but urgent care suggested a CT scan. Off to the E.R. where we spent the next four hours. Seriously, E.R.s of the world, run a tighter ship. But, I digress...
After her CT scan showed up clear, her pain subsided and the docs couldn't find the cause of the earlier pain, she was released to go to our temporary Doubletree home.
If you've never been in an emergency room, consider yourself lucky. VERY lucky. No matter what your ailment, these days, it seems like three hour minimums are the norm in the E.R.Yet, with all the hustle and bustle and trauma and weirdness of the E.R., there was a single oasis: Marvelyne's doc.
He came in, sat down next to her gurney and leaned in to converse. His tone was never much more than a low breath, his words came slow and compassion just oozed from the man. Even in the craziness that is the E.R., his tone and demeanor neutralized everything except the patient, the doc and the ailment.
Is this helpful? Absolutely. Is it even MORE helpful when the patients the doc usually treats are in traumatic situations? Double absolutely.
His tone did so much to calm our fears; just by speaking quietly and slowly and sitting down. We weren't just a couple of yahoos who were in for no reason. We'd endured some terrible and unexpected and immediate pains. Well, SHE had, at least.Yet, the scary fears associated with the E.R. were negated by one person's ability to communicate effectively.
A few weeks ago, my wife and I were out of town on a biz trip. While heading into Target to grab a couple road items, Marvelyne suddenly started experiencing abdominal pain. Now, my wife is tough as nails and does not complain. So, when the first words out of her mouth were, "I need to get to a doctor", I knew there was no messing around.
Off to urgent care, but urgent care suggested a CT scan. Off to the E.R. where we spent the next four hours. Seriously, E.R.s of the world, run a tighter ship. But, I digress...
After her CT scan showed up clear, her pain subsided and the docs couldn't find the cause of the earlier pain, she was released to go to our temporary Doubletree home.
If you've never been in an emergency room, consider yourself lucky. VERY lucky. No matter what your ailment, these days, it seems like three hour minimums are the norm in the E.R.Yet, with all the hustle and bustle and trauma and weirdness of the E.R., there was a single oasis: Marvelyne's doc.
He came in, sat down next to her gurney and leaned in to converse. His tone was never much more than a low breath, his words came slow and compassion just oozed from the man. Even in the craziness that is the E.R., his tone and demeanor neutralized everything except the patient, the doc and the ailment.
Is this helpful? Absolutely. Is it even MORE helpful when the patients the doc usually treats are in traumatic situations? Double absolutely.
His tone did so much to calm our fears; just by speaking quietly and slowly and sitting down. We weren't just a couple of yahoos who were in for no reason. We'd endured some terrible and unexpected and immediate pains. Well, SHE had, at least.Yet, the scary fears associated with the E.R. were negated by one person's ability to communicate effectively.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
The Whitest Of White Coats
Are you a little nerdy? I am! Got no probs admitting it, either!
One of my nerdy things is some lighter exploration of science, the brain, really anything. I don't want to get a Ph.D. in astrophysics or anything, but I like learning a little about a lot of different topics. One way I do this is through Radio Lab.
What's Radio Lab? A NPR program featuring two highly intelligent scientifically minded individuals. For one hour per week, they explore everything from the evolution of ancient practices in medicine, to the effects of love on the brain, to whether or not animals can reason like humans, just a wide variety of interesting topics. If you check out RadioLab.org, you'll also find a program on the placebo effect.
One of the hosts' father is a M.D. at a major university hospital. In observing his father, the host watched his father prepare to see patients in his office. One of his rituals was to open his closet, choose the whitest of a half dozen white coats hanging there and don it for the day. As the host said, there was a perceiveable change when his father put on his white medical coat. That change? Confidence and competence.
As they stepped into the hall, his first patient of the day, a woman, ran to the doc and hugged him. "I'm just so glad to see you," she murmured over and over. Her life had gotten out of control; family stuff, her health, etc. Just the sight of the doc in his lab coat was enough to cause her feelings of comfrt, that all was well now that her doc was in control.
This is exactly what the white coat SHOULD communicate. A physician who is compassionate, comforting, competent and confident. After all, a patient is giving up his/her control of their health as soon as the doc walks in.
But what about if the doc does NOT communicate compassion and competence? Could the reverse happen? Absolutely...and this is why, I feel, docs owe it to their colleagues to practice compassionate care. Is it unfair to think a physician's moment of frustration or weakness could tarnish the entire field of medical docs, at least in the mind of a single patient? Sure it is...and that doesn't change the reality.
Yet another reason docs should take a moment to put on a coat of compassionate, not just the identifier of their position.
One of my nerdy things is some lighter exploration of science, the brain, really anything. I don't want to get a Ph.D. in astrophysics or anything, but I like learning a little about a lot of different topics. One way I do this is through Radio Lab.
What's Radio Lab? A NPR program featuring two highly intelligent scientifically minded individuals. For one hour per week, they explore everything from the evolution of ancient practices in medicine, to the effects of love on the brain, to whether or not animals can reason like humans, just a wide variety of interesting topics. If you check out RadioLab.org, you'll also find a program on the placebo effect.
One of the hosts' father is a M.D. at a major university hospital. In observing his father, the host watched his father prepare to see patients in his office. One of his rituals was to open his closet, choose the whitest of a half dozen white coats hanging there and don it for the day. As the host said, there was a perceiveable change when his father put on his white medical coat. That change? Confidence and competence.
As they stepped into the hall, his first patient of the day, a woman, ran to the doc and hugged him. "I'm just so glad to see you," she murmured over and over. Her life had gotten out of control; family stuff, her health, etc. Just the sight of the doc in his lab coat was enough to cause her feelings of comfrt, that all was well now that her doc was in control.
This is exactly what the white coat SHOULD communicate. A physician who is compassionate, comforting, competent and confident. After all, a patient is giving up his/her control of their health as soon as the doc walks in.
But what about if the doc does NOT communicate compassion and competence? Could the reverse happen? Absolutely...and this is why, I feel, docs owe it to their colleagues to practice compassionate care. Is it unfair to think a physician's moment of frustration or weakness could tarnish the entire field of medical docs, at least in the mind of a single patient? Sure it is...and that doesn't change the reality.
Yet another reason docs should take a moment to put on a coat of compassionate, not just the identifier of their position.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Got Any Good Book Reccos?
In a few days, yours truly will be sitting in an office at an Ivy League university, chatting with faculty of a grad school about continuing my education. I'm looking into a highly specialized form of health care that'll help me do an even better job on the platform, in my writing, anything you associate with your ol' pal, Marcus.
If I'm accepted into the program, and if all the cosmos align properly, I'll start the year long master's work in about a year. In the meantime...I need your help.
First, since I haven't been a student for, oh, 10 years, I need to get back in the swing o' things. So, do you have any health care book reccomendations you'd like to share? Anything from the patient/caregiver element to systems and institutional/organizational psychology? Anything?
Second, If you know of funding sources for grad schools, I'd love to hear of them! Scholarships, grants, work for hire by Marcus Engel-I'm all about the creative ways we can make this happen! Thanks, friends!
If I'm accepted into the program, and if all the cosmos align properly, I'll start the year long master's work in about a year. In the meantime...I need your help.
First, since I haven't been a student for, oh, 10 years, I need to get back in the swing o' things. So, do you have any health care book reccomendations you'd like to share? Anything from the patient/caregiver element to systems and institutional/organizational psychology? Anything?
Second, If you know of funding sources for grad schools, I'd love to hear of them! Scholarships, grants, work for hire by Marcus Engel-I'm all about the creative ways we can make this happen! Thanks, friends!
Friday, August 27, 2010
Spells and Some Awesome Ideas From Snyderman
I've just finished reading Dr. Nancy Snyderman's "Medical Myths." If you're not familiar, Dr. Snyderman is the health correspondent for one of the major television networks. Truth be told, I did not know this before starting her book; probably b/c I usually watch cable news. Anyway, I digress...
Dr. Snyderman told a story I think we should all heed. As a young med student in Omaha, Nebraska, a woman came into the emergency room at the teaching hospital where Snyderman was working. The female patient was middle aged and appeared healthy, for the most part. The patient filled out her paperwork, waited in the ER waiting room until she finally got her turn with the ER doc.
When the female patient spoke with the doc as the students looked on, she complained of the feel of ice in her back as she inhaled. A few other symptoms were discussed, but none were the classic symptoms of heart attack, stroke, diabetes and the woman had suffered no trauma. The physician asked the students what a possible diagnosis may be. Students called out several possibilities, but the doc dismissed all of them and said quietly, "She could just be hysterical."
Simply put, this doc thought the woman was a hypochondriac, or crazy, or attention seeking. The catch all phrase of "hysterical" was primarily used for women, further reinforcing the stereotype of women as unreasonable and afraid of everything (aren't you glad we've come a little further than that in society?) The ER doc gave the woman some Rolaids and the name of a gastro specialist then released her from the ER. The woman walked out of the hospital and dropped dead of a heart attack in the hospital parking lot.
What a fantastic teacher! And no, I'm not kidding! Is this a horrible tragedy? Most certainly it was. But, what a fabulous time for students to always know to be cognisant of symptoms...and not to disregard patient complaints as nothing IF those complaints don't fit a pattern.
Have you ever known someone like this ER doc? While there's a sick part of me that takes pleasure in knowing this doc had to eat a whole flock of crows, and while it wasn't his intention, he taught a fabulous, FABULOUS lesson. I'm sure many of us can think back to someone we disliked or disagreed with. I sure can think of a few! If you're like me, you may have even made a vow to do everything NOT to be like that person. I've gotta bet that Dr. Snyderman made that vow, too. It's certainly not worth the death of a medical mistake, but the lesson changed Dr. Snyderman. And she's hopefully inspired and influenced docs along the way...I know that reading "Medical Myths" certainly gave me a lot to think about.
Dr. Snyderman told a story I think we should all heed. As a young med student in Omaha, Nebraska, a woman came into the emergency room at the teaching hospital where Snyderman was working. The female patient was middle aged and appeared healthy, for the most part. The patient filled out her paperwork, waited in the ER waiting room until she finally got her turn with the ER doc.
When the female patient spoke with the doc as the students looked on, she complained of the feel of ice in her back as she inhaled. A few other symptoms were discussed, but none were the classic symptoms of heart attack, stroke, diabetes and the woman had suffered no trauma. The physician asked the students what a possible diagnosis may be. Students called out several possibilities, but the doc dismissed all of them and said quietly, "She could just be hysterical."
Simply put, this doc thought the woman was a hypochondriac, or crazy, or attention seeking. The catch all phrase of "hysterical" was primarily used for women, further reinforcing the stereotype of women as unreasonable and afraid of everything (aren't you glad we've come a little further than that in society?) The ER doc gave the woman some Rolaids and the name of a gastro specialist then released her from the ER. The woman walked out of the hospital and dropped dead of a heart attack in the hospital parking lot.
What a fantastic teacher! And no, I'm not kidding! Is this a horrible tragedy? Most certainly it was. But, what a fabulous time for students to always know to be cognisant of symptoms...and not to disregard patient complaints as nothing IF those complaints don't fit a pattern.
Have you ever known someone like this ER doc? While there's a sick part of me that takes pleasure in knowing this doc had to eat a whole flock of crows, and while it wasn't his intention, he taught a fabulous, FABULOUS lesson. I'm sure many of us can think back to someone we disliked or disagreed with. I sure can think of a few! If you're like me, you may have even made a vow to do everything NOT to be like that person. I've gotta bet that Dr. Snyderman made that vow, too. It's certainly not worth the death of a medical mistake, but the lesson changed Dr. Snyderman. And she's hopefully inspired and influenced docs along the way...I know that reading "Medical Myths" certainly gave me a lot to think about.
Monday, August 16, 2010
I mean, Voice Mail Has Only Been Around For , What? 15 Years?
I just finished reading an interesting article in Men's Health about something totally NOT health related: E mail etiquette. Good article talking about how certain E mail techniques can be perceived as insulting, improper or just a time waster.
So, why don't health care offices understand this concept?
Here's the thing: Very few people E mail with their doc. I'm not referring to that, but to that other "mail" that's a tecnological improvement over the Pony Express, a.k.a. Snail Mail. That is, for you novices, voice mail.
I called a physician's office at 11:50 a.m. today. I get a recording that says the office is closed every M-F from noon until 1 for lunch.
What time did I call? Oh yeah, 10 minutes BEFORE the lunch break. Did I have the option to have my call returned? Nope. Just a message saying call back during business hours.
I don't think I'm that much different than other people here. I don't like my time wasted. By taking an earlier than stated lunch break, my time was wasted by the office staff. Now, I have to call back after 1 instead of someone calling me back. A little thing? Yes, but having that option to leave a msg would have made a big (and positive) impresion on me.
And what happened when I called back at 1:23 p.m.? I press 1 to schedule an appointment...and, without ever speaking a word to a human being, stay on hold until after 1:35. Again, had I been able to leave a voice mail, an extra 10 plus minutes of my time would not have been wasted. Now that my time has been wasted on two separate occassions in one day...well, I'm thinking there needs to be an article like the E mail etiquette article in Men's Health. And who shall write it? Me. And I'll be on that soon.
In the meantime, though, if you're office staff can't get it together, please understand that it's making a bad impression on your patients.
So, why don't health care offices understand this concept?
Here's the thing: Very few people E mail with their doc. I'm not referring to that, but to that other "mail" that's a tecnological improvement over the Pony Express, a.k.a. Snail Mail. That is, for you novices, voice mail.
I called a physician's office at 11:50 a.m. today. I get a recording that says the office is closed every M-F from noon until 1 for lunch.
What time did I call? Oh yeah, 10 minutes BEFORE the lunch break. Did I have the option to have my call returned? Nope. Just a message saying call back during business hours.
I don't think I'm that much different than other people here. I don't like my time wasted. By taking an earlier than stated lunch break, my time was wasted by the office staff. Now, I have to call back after 1 instead of someone calling me back. A little thing? Yes, but having that option to leave a msg would have made a big (and positive) impresion on me.
And what happened when I called back at 1:23 p.m.? I press 1 to schedule an appointment...and, without ever speaking a word to a human being, stay on hold until after 1:35. Again, had I been able to leave a voice mail, an extra 10 plus minutes of my time would not have been wasted. Now that my time has been wasted on two separate occassions in one day...well, I'm thinking there needs to be an article like the E mail etiquette article in Men's Health. And who shall write it? Me. And I'll be on that soon.
In the meantime, though, if you're office staff can't get it together, please understand that it's making a bad impression on your patients.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
15 Seconds
I've become a big fan of Boston Med. Granted, I'm just kinda nerdy about medical stuff, anyway, but it also gives me fodder for this blog and for my patient care keynotes.
The last episode I caught showed a surgeon in pre-op with his patient. He spoke to the patient, explained what he'd be doing and what the patient could expect. When the camera cut away to a quick interview segment, he said something really profound (I'm paraphrasing here):
"Before a patient goes into surgery, you have about 15 seconds to make them comfortable. Because we (surgeons) do this kind of thing every day, we get accustomed to it. What we forget is that it's traumatic for a patient to know they're going to be cut on. Especially if they've never had surgery before and don't know what to expect, we only have about 15 seconds to help them understand and feel comfortable before they go under."
Maybe this is the whole scenario of "walk a mile in his moccasins", but I think it's important for health care professionals to keep in mind that, while appointments, surgery or hospitalization is common for them, for patients, it brings about feelings of vulnerability and fear.
If you're a health care pro, I encourage you to take 15 seconds, just like the doc said. But not 15 seconds with the patient...take your 15 seconds on one of your breaks. Think about what a patient might be feeling, thinking or feeling. It doesn't take long to understand what the patient feels...and then to help them because, now, you have some extra empathy.
The last episode I caught showed a surgeon in pre-op with his patient. He spoke to the patient, explained what he'd be doing and what the patient could expect. When the camera cut away to a quick interview segment, he said something really profound (I'm paraphrasing here):
"Before a patient goes into surgery, you have about 15 seconds to make them comfortable. Because we (surgeons) do this kind of thing every day, we get accustomed to it. What we forget is that it's traumatic for a patient to know they're going to be cut on. Especially if they've never had surgery before and don't know what to expect, we only have about 15 seconds to help them understand and feel comfortable before they go under."
Maybe this is the whole scenario of "walk a mile in his moccasins", but I think it's important for health care professionals to keep in mind that, while appointments, surgery or hospitalization is common for them, for patients, it brings about feelings of vulnerability and fear.
If you're a health care pro, I encourage you to take 15 seconds, just like the doc said. But not 15 seconds with the patient...take your 15 seconds on one of your breaks. Think about what a patient might be feeling, thinking or feeling. It doesn't take long to understand what the patient feels...and then to help them because, now, you have some extra empathy.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Habla Doctor?
25% of physicians practicing in America went to medical school outside the United States.
Does this matter to you?
Okay, story time! Back in my single days, I dated a young lady who was an aspiring physician. By aspiring I mean she started college going into pre-med, but dropped that and went with nursing in hopes she'd return to medicine. While we were dating, she discussed a medical school in the Caribbean where a friend was a student. This friend had trouble passing the standardized test for med school, so looked outside the country. As a patient, this was kinda concerning. After all, if he's not smart enough to get into an American med school, why should he be able to come back to the states, do his residency and be recognized as a board certified physician? Well, this was nearly 10 years ago...and my tune has changed.
I have had several foreign born docs who also attended med school outside the states. Off the top of my head, there are some who I didn't care for their bedside manner, but their practice of medicine was professional and competent. Turns out, my experiences align with the data.
The Journal of Health Matters recently looked at the data on cardiac mortality rates with docs who graduated from an American med school vs. those who graduated from a foreign school. Their findings? No discernable difference. Good to know...and I, for one, believe in the economical data. Therefore, I no longer have any sort of prejudice against a doc who graduated from a med school in another country. In fact, in the last several months, I've switched our family doc to a gent who's degree was handed out by Mexico. Still, I was kinda surprised when I found out that one in four American docs didn't go to American med schools.
Here's a question (no idea if this data has ever been tabulated. If not? Someone should...) Take a survey of a wide group of patients. How many patients have even checked on where their physician went to med school? Or where he/she did his/her training? Fellowships? Unless you see the diploma hanging on their wall and recognize the name of the institution, I'd bet a shiney new nickle most patients can't discern undergrad from med school from residency from fellowship.
I find this a little sad; that patients are so uninformed. But, what does a patient think when they find out their doc's med school sheepskin comes from a university across the pond? What if it's the really big pond called the Pacific? I would love to see these opinions taken, the data analyzed, etc. Mainly, just because I'm a big nerd like that. Also, though, I'm fully in favor of patients arming themselves with knowledge. The more active a patient is in his/her own care, the better of they are.
So, faithful reader, how much do you know about your doc? And, if and when you do find out where he/she got their degree...does it matter?
Does this matter to you?
Okay, story time! Back in my single days, I dated a young lady who was an aspiring physician. By aspiring I mean she started college going into pre-med, but dropped that and went with nursing in hopes she'd return to medicine. While we were dating, she discussed a medical school in the Caribbean where a friend was a student. This friend had trouble passing the standardized test for med school, so looked outside the country. As a patient, this was kinda concerning. After all, if he's not smart enough to get into an American med school, why should he be able to come back to the states, do his residency and be recognized as a board certified physician? Well, this was nearly 10 years ago...and my tune has changed.
I have had several foreign born docs who also attended med school outside the states. Off the top of my head, there are some who I didn't care for their bedside manner, but their practice of medicine was professional and competent. Turns out, my experiences align with the data.
The Journal of Health Matters recently looked at the data on cardiac mortality rates with docs who graduated from an American med school vs. those who graduated from a foreign school. Their findings? No discernable difference. Good to know...and I, for one, believe in the economical data. Therefore, I no longer have any sort of prejudice against a doc who graduated from a med school in another country. In fact, in the last several months, I've switched our family doc to a gent who's degree was handed out by Mexico. Still, I was kinda surprised when I found out that one in four American docs didn't go to American med schools.
Here's a question (no idea if this data has ever been tabulated. If not? Someone should...) Take a survey of a wide group of patients. How many patients have even checked on where their physician went to med school? Or where he/she did his/her training? Fellowships? Unless you see the diploma hanging on their wall and recognize the name of the institution, I'd bet a shiney new nickle most patients can't discern undergrad from med school from residency from fellowship.
I find this a little sad; that patients are so uninformed. But, what does a patient think when they find out their doc's med school sheepskin comes from a university across the pond? What if it's the really big pond called the Pacific? I would love to see these opinions taken, the data analyzed, etc. Mainly, just because I'm a big nerd like that. Also, though, I'm fully in favor of patients arming themselves with knowledge. The more active a patient is in his/her own care, the better of they are.
So, faithful reader, how much do you know about your doc? And, if and when you do find out where he/she got their degree...does it matter?
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
AHEAD 2010
Last week found the AHEAD conference in the Mile High City…and with yours truly exhibiting as always! The Assoc. on Higher Education and Disability is composed of disability support services professionals at colleges and universities across the country, plus a variety of other professionals who work in the field with disabilities. And, as always, it was such a great time seeing awesome people!
Special thanks to Jenny Dugger, Rae, Melanie Thompson, Emily, Erin, Lana, Tamara and a whole slew of others who I did NOT get to go to dinner with!
Thanks to all who stopped by our booth and got books, grabbed info and expressed interest in bringing the Marcus message to campus this fall!
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Are You A Health Care Pro With A Master's?
I've been exploring grad schools and grad degrees lately. I'd love to get some letters behind my name that'll behoove what I'm already doing: inspiring excellence in patient care and honoring the hard work and committment of health care pros.
Thus far, my findings lean towards a Master's in Public Health, but I've also seen a few others offered; specifically health care admin and health care informatics.
Do you have any of these degrees? Know anyone who does? I'd like to interview someone familiar with a range of grad level degrees in the world of health care. If you know someone, please pass their E mail address along to me at Marcus@MarcusEngel.com
Thanks!
Thus far, my findings lean towards a Master's in Public Health, but I've also seen a few others offered; specifically health care admin and health care informatics.
Do you have any of these degrees? Know anyone who does? I'd like to interview someone familiar with a range of grad level degrees in the world of health care. If you know someone, please pass their E mail address along to me at Marcus@MarcusEngel.com
Thanks!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
The Triumph Of Touch
Just got done reading "In The President's Secret Service" by Ronald Kessler. While it borders on the trashy side of the presidency (the affairs of JFK and LBJ, the ego of Carter, the oddities of Nixon), the part that struck me most was about Ronald Reagan.
Now, I'm a child of the 80s, so Reagan was the first president I can consciously remember. Or maybe there are whisps of Carter stuck in my grey matter, but really, my primacy with a president was Reagan. Specifically, when Reagan was shot.
From Reagan's own mouth and from the memories of his Secret Service agents, I learned some interesting things about the day of the shooting. If you're interested, grab yourself a copy of the book-I think you'll like it.
But, how does this relate to health care? Well, one of Reagan's only memories once he was in the hospital was a hand holding his. He knew the hand was female. He knew the hand was soft and feminine. Yet, more than anything, he took comfort from the hand. Was it a nurse? Maybe. Was it Nancy, his wife? Later, yes, but initially, it was a nurse...someone who knew that in moments of terror and pain and confusion, simply touching another person can help them feel more comfort and secure. Who'd have thought that nearly 30 years after the shooting, we could still learn something like this? Guess that's all the more reason Reagan was the great communicator.
Now, I'm a child of the 80s, so Reagan was the first president I can consciously remember. Or maybe there are whisps of Carter stuck in my grey matter, but really, my primacy with a president was Reagan. Specifically, when Reagan was shot.
From Reagan's own mouth and from the memories of his Secret Service agents, I learned some interesting things about the day of the shooting. If you're interested, grab yourself a copy of the book-I think you'll like it.
But, how does this relate to health care? Well, one of Reagan's only memories once he was in the hospital was a hand holding his. He knew the hand was female. He knew the hand was soft and feminine. Yet, more than anything, he took comfort from the hand. Was it a nurse? Maybe. Was it Nancy, his wife? Later, yes, but initially, it was a nurse...someone who knew that in moments of terror and pain and confusion, simply touching another person can help them feel more comfort and secure. Who'd have thought that nearly 30 years after the shooting, we could still learn something like this? Guess that's all the more reason Reagan was the great communicator.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
I'm Here...Released!
At long last, my newest book is out and ready for purchase! Get your copy of, "I'm Here: Compassionate Communication In Patient Care" at:
http://www.MarcusEngelproducts.com
Thanks to everyone who helped make this book a reality!
http://www.MarcusEngelproducts.com
Thanks to everyone who helped make this book a reality!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)