Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Is it the mocha for breakfast?

I am so excited I can't sit still. I can't work either. I am bouncing off the walls.

Why?

I just spoke with the office manager from my clinic. That might not seem like a big deal, but I have had ideas bouncing around my head for months about ways they might improve things at the clinic and it was so nice to get those ideas out of my head and into someone's hands who might be able to do something about it. The best part about it was that I think she was very receptive!

A bit of background: My clinic has very caring, compassionate people, but you would never know it. I have heard from many other patients (not all, buy many) and my OB that my clinic doesn't care, that it is only about the stats, that my RE has no bedside manner. I believe that is absolutely not true. I believe that because I am a connection junkie and I watch for anything that might mean a person is paying attention. My RE, for example, does this little squeeze on the shin when your in the stirrups sometimes. After a few visits, I realized I only got the squeeze when I was having a tough day or scary moment. A ha! I just got my RE's equivalent of a bear hug! Now I even miss it when I don't get it (I wonder if I should start faking distress? hmm . . .)

The other thing is that their donor program leaves something to be desired. They have great rates, but again the warm fuzzies are missing and they have a very small donor pool.

I told the office manager I would be happy to:
  • Share my story in an effort to help recruit more quality donors
  • Participate in a patient advocacy group
  • Help new patients understand that their doctor really does care. "Here is what I know and here is what you can watch for" kind of thing.
  • Anything else she thinks that I could help with to make the experience of the patient as positive as possible.
So many of these ideas the office manager had already thought of and she was at least as passionate about it as I am. I know this is a long ways from things actually coming to fruition, but it sure is excited to think of the possibilities. Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!

OK, back to work. If I can manage to focus. Tonight I will post my limericks which can already be found at Weebles Wobblog.

5 comments:

m said...

Wow! That is so cool. I cannot believe how pro-active you are being at your clinic and that they are receptive to your ideas. You are a great role model for those of us who just may get caught up in ourselves and our own needs (insert blushing face here) sometimes without thinking of others or how to enact positive change. Go you!

Changing Expectations said...

Very cool. Great that you clinic is listening to your ideas. Your ideas sound great!

Lori Lavender Luz said...

Doesn't it feel great to speak your truth?

You go, you limerick-writing, connection-promoting girl!

AwkwardMoments said...

Good for you for saying something. I have thought for a while now that I should say something to my RE's office as well.

kb said...

What a wonderful thing you have done! I applaud you for talking to your clinic manager. Having felt less than warm feelings from some of the staff in my clinic - including my RE - I think it's great that you took matters into your own hands and are working for change. Good for you.