I feel blessed that Mike and I were able to work with such great doctors. Feeling like doctors are not superhuman and better than us can help us to know, like, and trust them. Even seeing it in the smallest ways

Early in his illness Mike had been in the hospital in February for 10 days with the flu. They released him and he was back at the Emergency Department in two-and-a-half days, again with the flu. At this point it was asked if they felt they needed a consult. They called Mike’s pulmonologist at KU Med Center.

Since Mike had been admitted to the hospital again, I went back to work. Late that afternoon Mike called and said they were trying to get him admitted at KU Med Center. It was all really confusing and I had felt like I might be coming down with the flu as well, so I didn’t go back to the hospital after work.

My dad was in Family Practice for 37 years. Today, after 18 plus years of not practicing I still have people tell me they wish he was their doctor.

The next morning, I talked with Mike who was still talking about KU Med Center. It was Saturday so I got ready and drove over to the hospital. I was more than a little distraught and when Mike’s doctor saw me, he could see that. He left the people he was talking with and came over and gave me a hug.

He explained to me that because of Mike’s pulmonary condition and the threatening weather that they were going to transfer Mike to Hays because KU Med Center didn’t have any rooms. The local hospital couldn’t give him the care he needed if he should crash and they couldn’t transport him because of weather. He felt it would be safer to send him now, so they didn’t get in that situation.

Mike had only been seeing this doctor for a few months. We both liked him, and this interaction helped me to trust him even more. He was willing to show that he cared. He showed his caring side many times with Mike and with John.

“I remind my fellows, residents and medical students that what we do is a privilege. People let us into the most intimate aspects of their lives, and they look to us to help guide them through very complex and delicate situations.”

― Shikha Jain, MD via KevinMD

Then while he was at Hays, I was concerned about him not going on to KU Med Center. I called his pulmonologist’s nurse and expressed my concerns. The doctor called back, the call didn’t ring through in the hospital, so he left me a message with his cell number and told me to have Mike’s doctor call him. He also said that I could call him on it if I needed to.

Mike had only seen this doctor twice so he didn’t know if I was the type of person who would abuse having his cell phone number. This raised my trust factor in him as well. No, I never used his cell number. I considered it once when they had flown Mike to KU Med Center on a Sunday, and I knew he was the one taking care of him. It would have been much easier to get through than the main number.

Photo by Rhonda Abell

It is these types of interactions that help build a relationship between the doctor, patient, and caregiver. It helps to know that the doctor cares about the patient and their family.

I’ve always felt like that know, like, and trust factor is why as patients, parents, and animal parents we keep going back to the same people. Whether it’s a doctor, veterinarian, farrier, or anyone we are entrusting the care of ourselves or our loved ones.

My horses and I help doctors, patients, and caregivers make more synergistic connections for better communication and understanding to increase wellness. If you feel called to work with us, please connect with me here and let’s set up a time to talk. I would love to gift you with a free 30-minute call to see if I might be a fit to work with you.

It’s A Matter Of Trust between doctors, patients, and caregivers.

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Onward! My Cup Runneth Over