(Snippets from the frontline)
A matter of comfort
Some of my physician friends delivered their patients, cared for them as teens, helped them into middle age, and now give advice as they move toward their senior years.
This also included times where hospitalization was needed to pull them through acute illness. Patients find emotional comfort in a familiar face who knows one’s medical history and background making a difference in the healing process.
Many doctors are now being forced out of the hospital caring for longtime patients as business takeover flexes their muscle expediting care for profit. Administrators feel these physicians are not efficient and the psychologic support they render is not a valued part of patient treatment.
Whether this care is important depends on if you believe there is a mental component to physical illness. Most people believe there is, especially in the healing process.
Should psychologic comfort rendered from doctor to patient be removed to expedite care?
Well-known to you now is the money saved goes into the pockets of hospital administrators.
This should aggravate emotions and make your heart cringe.
Gene Uzawa Dorio, M.D.
Yes Dr. Dorio, I agree fully.
My adult daughter has been with her primary care doctor for many many years.
When she is hospitalised (often) she really needs to see his smiling face.