Dear Provider – Your Image Matters!

It’s been almost eight years since my mastectomy – since then I’ve dealt with an array of side issues and preventative health procedures.  As someone who helped launch one of the nation’s first case management models 25 years ago – the “ROSE” program – my sensitivities to the communication, behavior and appearance of my physicians and allied healthcare professionals have become more acute – especially through my journey with cancer.
ROSE taught us that in order for patients to comply and to flourish, they needed to trust whomever they worked with – and the keys were civility and self care.  It’s still somewhat of a secret, it seems.
Prior to ROSE, in 1984, I served as the first director of marketing for a rehabilitation hospital during the advent of HMOs.  I was tasked to grow referrals from insurers, reinsurers and employers.  My heart usually skipped a beat when I toured them through our facility, as one of our more vocal physiatrists was overweight and gruff, and her staff was in disarray.  It felt a bit disingenuous to talk to our payers, patients and families about healthy habits and our commitment to “guest relations” at events and board meetings.
This scenario lives on.  I’ve seen it up close and personal in fancy D.C. doctors’ offices and at reputable medical centers  - even this year.  What’s stopping providers from raising the bar?
The solutions aren’t that complicated or expensive.  Stress and conflict management, affi...

Source: Disruptive Women in Health Care - May 24, 2016 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: dw at disruptivewomen.net Tags: Cancer Women's Health Source Type: blogs