Why do so many individuals that have a loved one or a child needing medical or therapeutic intervention feel so hopeless? Particularly when the diagnosis is secondary to neurological degenerative diseases, trauma or a developmental delay that could have a life long effect on quality of life. Many times there is an unspoken feeling of being lost or helpless.
I feel lost
In all my years of practice, I have heard hundreds of individuals confide in me that they feel like they are not getting their needs met in therapy or the health care industry. They feel as if their voice is like empty echoes in a hallway. They are hitting wall after wall and feel as if they are spinning in a vicious circle of frustration. They ultimately feel that they must follow the voice of other qualified medical personnel as well as allied health because quite honestly, they are not sure where or who to go to. Why wouldn’t they? We are the ones that went to school and specialized in an area to identify, diagnose and treat those seeking help.
The health care industry is a multi trillion-dollar industry. Medical personnel are slammed with paperwork and chaos. They are micro managed by corporate administrators that dictate how and what services will be conducted to each adult and child perusing a medical answer to their diagnosis.
Success
There is hope! In 18 years, I have worked in every setting possible. I have seen the best outcomes with those individuals that:
- Ask questions
- Actively participate
- Are proactive not reactive
- Educate and research themselves as well as their loved ones
- Stay focused on goals
- Voice their opinion
- Aren’t afraid to express their displeasure with the care being provided
- Keep looking until they find the answers they are looking for
- Don’t take “no” for an answer
Be heard
You have rights and you are able to put those rights into action! You do not have to be swayed by one particular approach or specialist. A physician and / or allied health professional that is driven by a caring and empathetic heart will value you and your outcome by including and educating you in the decisions to be made. They will be patient and informative.
Here are 5 simple signs of acceptable medical practices to look for in your physician and / or therapist:
- Training/credentials, experience, and professionalism
- Informed consent and other legal issues
- Communication and client focus
- Empathy and the therapeutic relationship
- Progress
You’re responsible
Of course the outcome is greatly affected by your efforts and time invested. The old saying holds true, “You get what you pay for” and “You get a return on your investment if you invest in the right area.” Shop around for your physician and therapist. If you want something, ask for it and follow your instincts. If it is not right for you or your loved one, move on until you find the resources needed to achieve a greater quality of life. The resources are endless.
- Making Medical Decisions for a Loved One: A Caregiver’s Guide
- 50 Secrets Hospitals Don’t Want to Tell You (But Every Patient Should Know)
- 18 Ridiculous Statistics About The Health Care Industry That Will Make Tear Your Hair Out
- 50 Signs of Good Therapy
~Heather Brown, helping you find your voice~