A GIANT bear hug !
from a patient who has a horribly painful tooth
who couldn't get dental insurance
who was ignored by many others
whose requests for help were dismissed
because they were too busy, or too important
who came to see me
and I gave him a list of free dental clinics.
and a bit of advice.
That is all it took!
Honestly,
Tears filled his eyes.
He told me I was the first to care enough to help
and then came the bear hug.
He made my day. It just reminds me what a difference a little bit of help can make in a persons day. A tiny bit of extra work will really make all the difference. We tend to forget this in healthcare. There is a trend that people begin to become overwhelmed, and thus they stop short- "this isn't part of my job description" "This is your primary care doctors responsibility" "I only care for your ____ (insert organ system)".
But really, when it comes right down to it- we care for the patient. THE ENTIRE patient, mind body and soul... and if we can direct them to help they need, why not do it? Why not take a minute and help out a person in need? Are we really TOO busy?
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