Understanding Patient Dismissal

We've all heard stories of patients feeling dismissed by their doctors, especially in complex cases requiring more attention and empathy. As the healthcare system becomes overloaded and time constraints press harder than ever, some patients find themselves feeling like they are being pushed aside. But why does this happen? It's a concern that resonates on many levels. I've struggled all my life trying to get doctors to listen to me, it is NOT all in my head. I wrote about this earlier this year as I continue to struggle to get the healthcare system to work for me and not against me. When I wrote about POTS on my previous blog,

POTS : An Invisible Illness | Full Movie (17 min.)

The Emotional Toll on Patients

When patients are brushed off or sent home without a satisfactory diagnosis or reassurance during tough times, it can erode trust in the medical community. Imagine facing a serious health issue with anxiety and uncertainty, only to feel like you're just another number in the queue. This disconnection can leave a lasting emotional impact, leading to doubt, fear, and in some cases, deterioration of mental health.

A Call for Humanity in Healthcare

What many patients crave, and indeed deserve, is a basic level of empathy and understanding from their healthcare providers. Medicine isn't just about science and statistics; it's about people. The human touch matters, especially when individuals are grappling with complex symptoms or uncertain diagnoses. A simple acknowledgment of a patient’s fears and struggles could make all the difference in their healing journey.

So, how can healthcare professionals bridge this gap? It starts with active listening and taking the time to delve deeper into a patient's concerns. Many patients may present with multifaceted issues that require more than just a quick fix. Investing time in a thorough examination and genuinely engaging with patients can foster trust and open communication, which is invaluable in developing an effective treatment plan.

In conclusion, while we understand that healthcare professionals are often stretched thin, it’s crucial that the dedication to compassion and humanity within the medical community remains a priority. Every patient deserves an opportunity to be heard—not just medically, but holistically. Through better communication and a stronger patient-provider alliance, we can work towards a healthcare environment where patients feel validated, understood, and ultimately cared for.

I've dealt with this my entire life of 69+ years, you can read My Story, and it doesn't appear to be getting better, merely worse, especially after the Covid debacle, it seems that things would change, but when?

Cancer, Not What I Wanted for Christmas this year!

I got a phone call just before noon on Christmas eve, and had already pulled up the pathology report 10 minutes earlier to be hit in the face with the diagnosis of esophageal cancer, the lower portion where it connects to the stomach. After that call and throughout the holidays, I heard crickets, nothing from any doctor or medical community or even oncology. I sat and waited until January 7th and when I hadn't heard a word, I started calling every doctor that might know why I was sitting in limbo for close to 3 weeks. If waiting for tests to be "approved" by insurance and radiologists to read the report my CT scan took a month to get results and then the cancer was diagnosed as a "mild to moderate hernia". I only learned about the cancer when I pushed harder against the medical system that is dictated by a bottom dollar insurance company that seems to care less when you get treatment or when. I'm beginning to think my Medicare status is working against me. Letting me die would be the cheapest route, but is that a humane way to treat someone? What if it were you?

The medical trauma caused by this lack of caring, disinterest or just outright neglect leads to medical trauma that much easier to prevent than to cure. To give you a clear example, I was to young to talk, to small to speak up for myself, I suffered from pre-verbal trauma as I suffered and nearly died of starvation with pyloric stenosis as a newborn. I share this experience in an earlier blog post, Medical Trauma, and I still don't have resolution and that still has not been addressed in my case and I'm unwilling to let it keep sliding and know yet another person doesn't have to suffer this way is my life's goal.

I hope to make a difference before I die. I'm speaking up for all of those patients that are still suffering, waiting and dying due to neglect by the very people whom we turned to for help.