Everyone has a different perspective when it comes to managing their health. Why own your health? All decisions medically for your body, must be made with your consent. You ALWAYS have a choice. A new medication or treatment, options are sometimes plentiful and sometimes not, but a decision must be made. ALWAYS question your options, they have a direct impact on your health. You would be surprised to know that often there are multiple options.
When it comes to facing the reality of what “must be faced” not everyone gets a fair hand. I have taken some very unfortunate individuals through some life changing events in their lives, being privileged to help guide them as far as possible.
Taking ownership and addressing the situation directly is what I am most familiar with and am biased as that is the pathway I identify with as a Surgeon. As a health professionals, we have to respect the difficulty some patients have with seeing this for what it is, our duty is to help them have an understanding of the situation.
Most have heard of the different phases of grief, Kubler-Ross stages of grief; Denial-Anger-Depression-Bargaining-Acceptance. We ALL experience this. With any situation we feel is unfair, negative, detrimental and life changing. This is NORMAL. How quickly we get to “Acceptance” is totally dependent on multiple variables but is enhanced by our current social support structure. I find as a healthcare provider I am integral in some, if not most, of these events with my patients.
In health related matters, decisions will be made, with or without your input. Lack of action/decision, IS A DECISION, and usual not in your best interest. Many times we are caught in the early stages of grief and cannot make decisions or make poor ones.
In the “Acceptance” phase rational, reasonable, productive decisions can be made, not before. To quote Terry Goodkind, “Think of the solution, not the problem.” I have found this to be and easier route to getting to “Acceptance” than most. My job as a healthcare professional is to help expedite this transition. Each step in grief is needed, but obtaining the understanding that we have gotten to “Acceptance” means that you can make a productive decision, YOUR DECISION.
In closing, we must have open lines of communication, be clear and concise with one another and sometimes be blunt, but to have a healthcare professional whom you have this relationship with is irreplaceable, your rock, and should be cherished as you can find solace in those individuals whom can help guide you through these life-changing events.
Dr. JC
