Surgical expectations
One of the tools I use to gauge how well I do my job is to listen to post-op patients and their comments regarding how well they’re doing with their recovery. For most patients, their surgical experience is a first time experience. This means that they have no previous surgical experience with  which they can compare. So it’s incumbent upon me to be a good counselor prior to surgery. My job is to help patients to understand what to expect during the post-0p course of their surgery. And my job is to help the patients define realistic expectations regarding their care.
One of the best ways to assess whether I’ve done my job well is to listen to patients comments during their post-op care. Are their expectations regarding their ability to care for themselves in the first post-op week realistic? Or do they seem challenged in their ability to do so. If they understand their post-op obligations and limitations, then I feel like I’ve done a good job in coaching them through their surgery.
Another way that I look at this question is in regards to return to work. Is the patient on track to return to work in a realistic time frame? And do they agree that this was the time frame that we discussed leading up to their surgery? If so, then again, I feel like I did a good job.
And lastly, how effectively was their problem(s) solved? Are they pain free? 50-75% pain free? And was that the expectation going into the surgery? Does the patient agree with their progress?
Surgical expectations are at the heart of what’s called the art of medicine. As we move into this new era of medicine with computerized charting and high tech diagnostic tools, sure, we may be able to use these tools to diagnose better, but how well have we communicated with the patient regarding expectations. Are we some times using these new diagnostic techniques to build unrealistic expectations? Perhaps.
Each patient is unique in their make up. Part of my job is to assess that person and how their unique make up will affect the outcome of the surgery. For instance, how will their general health affect healing? What about their job and how it may influence post-op healing?Â
Each of these questions comes together on that last visit when the patient is to be discharged. In a way, it’s a bit of an exit interview. And it’s a great way to review how well the patient’s expectations and my expectations met (or didn’t meet) in the middle. For the most part, those expectations do seem to sync. And when they do, I can smile knowing I did my job well.
Jeffrey A. Oster, DPM
Dr. Oster cannot answer medical questions or provide medical care through this blog.
Tags: surgical expectations
No Comments
Comments RSS
TrackBack Identifier URI
No comments. Be the first.
Leave a comment