| |
Jarrod Shapiro, DPM
Practice Perfect Editor
Assistant Professor,
Dept. of Podiatric Medicine,
Surgery & Biomechanics
College of Podiatric Medicine
Western University of Health Sciences,
St, Pomona, CA
|
Better Care with Caring
This past weekend was the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. During this holiday we reflect on the past year, recognize our errors, and improve ourselves for the following year. Improvement, though, doesn’t come only from analysis of our mistakes, but also noticing those around us who are already on the right path. I’d like to talk briefly about two people who instructed me with their actions. Ironically, in a moment of convergence, I learned of the situations below on the same day.
Two weeks ago my son began kindergarten. It was a tough transition for him having been at home for his first five years, and, through a series of events, my wife and I realized the school’s security and level of education were inadequate. Among other issues, my son’s kindergarten teacher was aloof and minimally involved with his education much less his incorporation into this new environment. My wife and I were quite unsatisfied with her strict focus on the curriculum - the bare minimum of being a kindergarten teacher - and not on our son’s social issues. After meetings with the school’s administration we decided to withdraw him from his school and enroll him in a different one.
NEW LECTURE ANNOUNCEMENT |
| On Sunday, Aug 22, first year residents were assigned the lecture on Medical Documentation. This lecture was done almost 6 years ago. We’re pleased to announce that PRESENT Associate Editor Jarrod Shapiro, DPM, now Assistant Professor at Western University of Health Sciences, has redone this lecture for us, and it is GREAT, a vast improvement over the old presentation. We invite you all to view this new Medical Documentation lecture for your better professional development. |
|
|
 |
|
Succeeding Where Others Have Failed
Starting at his new kindergarten was made more difficult because my son had become familiar with his prior surroundings. As such, the transition into his new school became significantly more difficult; he was combative and somewhat disruptive during his first day. However, this situation did not escalate, because it was handled wonderfully by his teacher. Instead of forcing him to conform to this new environment, my son’s teacher comforted him and utilized her resources to gently integrate him into the class. The difference between his prior teacher and new one became clear very quickly and can be summarized with one word: caring. By going beyond the minimum required responsibility – by caring for my son as another human being – this teacher was successful where others had failed. My son is now adjusting well to his new environment.
Preferred Physicians
The other story hits closer to my podiatric home. Dr Aksone Nuovong is a podiatry professor at Western University and is a well-respected member of our community in the Los Angeles area, and I can see why. Dr Nuovong became the preferred physician to a particular patient. When I say “preferred physician”, I don’t simply mean her podiatrist; this patient prefers her over all doctors. Dr Nuovong’s patient trusts her to the point where she asks Dr Nuovong to be present when she sees her primary care physicians in the clinic next door! Dr Nuovong took the time to learn about her patient - where others had not - and actively sought out her patient’s humanity and intelligence. Where other doctors provided the minimum of care – with understandably poor results – Dr Nuovong’s superior level of care and humanism is leading this patient back to functionality.
These individuals’ stories speak for themselves, so I won’t comment except to say that caring is the difference between a good doctor and a great one. It’s the same reason my son’s teacher is excellent. We should all strive to be like these individuals. Imagine what medicine would be like if we went that extra distance for all of our patients. Imagine what the world would be like… Best wishes and happy New Year.
Keep writing in with your thoughts and comments. Better yet, post them in our eTalk forum. Best wishes.
Jarrod Shapiro, DPM
PRESENT Practice Perfect Editor
[email protected]
Get a steady stream of all the NEW PRESENT Podiatry
eLearning by becoming our Facebook Fan.
Effective eLearning and a Colleague Network await you. |
 |
|
