I recently went through a very traumatic experience: My primary care physician (PCP) retired. “Traumatic” may seem like an overstatement but, after all, PCPs are very important people in our lives and in the lives of our family members.
So, why was this experience so traumatic for me, in particular? I have had the same PCP since I was 17 years-old. He was the PCP for my parents and my sisters. Later, he became my husband’s and my children’s PCP. We all depended on him more than I realized.
A beloved doctor
We loved him because he knew our family and took the time to keep up with our big events, such as marriages, children, and graduations.
To some degree, he was even responsible for my sisters and I pursuing careers in health care.
He always asked us the right questions, gave us quick answers, ordered tests as needed, and encouraged us through all our health challenges to stay strong, eat right, exercise, and not worry.
Additionally, he didn’t avoid difficult conversations — he told it like it was.
When he recently told us he was retiring, I cried. Don’t get me wrong: I was happy for him in that he would be moving on with his life, but I also felt like this change would throw my entire family into a spin.
We are adjusting to the new doctors (two were hired to take his place), but he will always be missed.
Irreplaceable lessons
When I think about my PCP and his practice, I reflect on what it was that made him irreplaceable to my family and me.
Here’s what I learned from him that will bring value to my practice and my patients:
1. Be real. I felt special that he would talk to us as if we were friends. It made us want to be compliant with his instructions.
2. Be knowledgeable. Our PCP always knew more than others about our medical issues, and he knew what direction to take to fix them.
3. Build connections. If he couldn’t handle everything personally, he knew who could and made that connection for us.
4. Be empathetic not sympathetic. I didn’t want our PCP to suffer with me but to understand my suffering and help me get help when needed. He did that. More than once I shed a tear at a diagnosis in his office, and he knew just how to respond, with kindness and care and always bringing me back to the facts.
5. Be efficient. I never waited in his office for an appointment for more than 30 minutes, which I think is incredible for a PCP. He respected my time and that of my family.
Have a lasting impact
I wonder how often we think about the impact we have on our patients. They may only see us once a year, but we have the power to make that visit one that has a lasting impact on their current situation, as well as on their future.
I challenge us all to make each moment count. Be authentically you. Be your awesome self, and bring all you are to each and every patient visit. When you retire, your patients will reflect on those moments and who knows? Maybe you will inspire other doctors to be more like you.
Thank you for your years of service to our family, Dr. Joseph Ojea. OM
Email: april.jasper@broadcastmed.com
Twitter: @DrAprilJasper
Facebook: @OptometricManagement