Page 48 - Senior Link Magazine Summer 2017- Online Magazine

"doctor, doctor, gimme the news!"

by Chaplain Bob Mize

“What would you like your doctor to say or do differently say?” He answered, “I’d want them to look at me in the casket and
during your appointment?” say, ‘Look, he’s moving!’”

That was the question “Senior Link” publisher, Erin Agee, asked me The informal interviews I conducted produced answers that fall
to write about. “Certainly,” I replied in our phone conversation, “but easily into groups. As we would all anticipate, the greatest number
it can’t be a doctor-bashing article.” She agreed whole-heartedly. of responses by far deal with time. These are representative: “See
the patient on time…shorter wait time…spend more time with
Doctors and other medical people are among the most highly regarded each patient…make me feel the doctor has time to talk with me…
in our country. It is easy to count our blessings in America when we value my time as important as theirs…have more than five minutes,
contrast ourselves with third-world countries, refugee camps, and making certain my questions are answered.”
citizens devastated by wars. Yes, we understand some doctors are
caught up in malpractice and manipulation, but we also know those Second to time-related matters came attention and listening. Some
are the exceptions, not the rule. What would we do without doctors? of the answers were: “Really listen to me…look at me when talking,
rather than at the computer or family member...show more concern
Back to my assignment. I could not answer for others, so I began about my condition…listen to my descriptions as they relate to my
interviewing: groups in assisted-living facilities, classes in church, medical history…accept that I know my body well, using what I
pastors, care-givers and other individuals. I explained that I was know and helping me understand what I don’t know…answer all my
given an assignment but needed help. “Here is my question,” I said. questions…explain in detail rather than with just a word or two…
“What would you like your doctor to say or do differently during your make me feel like my presence is important, that I’m not merely a
appointment?” The answers came back quickly, many more and with client or a blip in his or her schedule…ask me for information that
greater variety than I anticipated. Certainly this was not a scientific I am uneasy discussing, like bathroom problems….”
study for the sociologists or fodder for pollsters, but I feel confident
the results are representative. The third category mentioned most deals with how medical
personnel inform the patient. Some responses were: “Just be
I was pleased how many had nothing but commendation for their straightforward…I can deal with reality, but the unknown is what
doctor(s). One man said, “I have seven doctors and all of them are frightens me…use language I can understand rather than technical
personal friends. I wouldn’t change a thing.” He is one blessed man. terms…allow me to record the conversation so I can go back and
And what a compliment to those physicians! listen later…realize that we were raised with one doctor who knew
our family well, so we are not used to specialists; ask me about my
There was some humor, too. One octogenarian said, “I’d like for family…tell me my options…please don’t say, ‘At your age…’.”
the doctor to say, ‘Come back in two years!’” A woman in her mid-
nineties answered, “I’d like for my doctor to say, ‘I have a surprise Several respondents had no suggestions, but rather had compliments
for you: we have found a cure for old age.’” (I suppose that cure like these: “My doctors are very good and have a great way of
has been around ever since Adam and Eve; it’s called meeting our working with me…I appreciate you and the instructions you give; as
Maker!) Wishful thinking reminds me of a joke: three men – all a result, you’re doing great, keep it up…thank you for seeing me and
seniors reflecting on the short time they had left – were commenting helping me with my medical problems.”
on funerals. One asked the other two, “When people look down into
your casket, what would you want them to say?” The first said, “I’d Physicians of all kinds have invested huge amounts of time, energy
want them to say I was an outstanding citizen and a good community and money into their professions. They are often burdened,
leader.” The second said, “I’d want them to say that I was a good overworked, sleep-deprived, and under-appreciated. As patients we
father and grandfather.” After some hesitation, the two who had can let them know we are grateful to them, pray for them, and wish
spoken up asked the third, “Well? What would you want them to them the best.

48 Lubbock Senior Link