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Living with Chronic Lung Disease: Traits to Look for in Physicians

Thomas3.20.2010
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Those living with chronic lung disease are no strangers to the doctor’s office. That’s because many of those with chronic lung disease have not one, not two, but three doctors: an internist or family practice physician, a pulmonologist and a respiratory therapist. With all those appointments under your belt, you likely have a good feel for what you want and expect from your physicians.

That’s how the members of a Cleveland Better Breathers Club said they felt at an August meeting. At the meeting, four Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine students engaged in an open discussion, hoping to garner positive and negative experiences those with lung disease have had with their physicians. The idea was that these students would use the information to become more informed, compassionate physicians in the future.

The blog “Living with Chronic Lung Disease: What Patients Want from Physicians,” discussed three key traits those at the meeting said they look for in their physicians. Here, you’ll see three additional traits to look for in your physician.

 

Thoroughness

To earn their doctorate, medical students diligently study terminology, procedures, treatments and more for years. To become certified in a particular field of medicine, physicians undergo testing. And to become recertified, they must undergo continued education and testing. Therefore, patients can assume physicians are well versed in the language of medicine.

However, unless you work in the medical field, you are likely not familiar with the intricacies of your chronic lung disease. That’s why attendee Pat said thoroughness is a key trait she looks for in her physicians. “Don’t assume a patient has been warned about side effects,” she told the students. “Not one physician told me COPD was a possible side effect of a collapsed lung.”

Attendee Aquilla shared how her physician exceeds her expectations when it comes to being thorough: “He’ll always tell me how what I have relates to breathing. He’ll get a chart out and show me how this affects this and this affects this. The reason I like him is because he explains everything to me. When I leave, I don’t have any questions.”

Empathy

While those with chronic lung disease want a physician who is straightforward with the seriousness of their condition, they also want a physician who sympathizes with their situation, especially if they’re facing other health concerns.

“My doctor wants to know about my ovarian cancer. He always wants to know how I’m doing,” Aquilla said. “He follows my case, and he calls me every so often to see how I’m doing.”

She continued, “When I had my operation, my doctor told me I was going to have depression. He told me, ‘If you don’t go to see a therapist, contact me.’ He gave me his home phone number, his cell phone number and his email address.”

Desire to Go Above and Beyond

Everyone has experienced the frustration of filling out medical forms upon medical forms when arriving at the doctor’s office only to be asked nearly identical questions by the doctor when entering the exam room. That’s why attendee Joyce advised the students to go above and beyond with patients in their professions. “When a patient comes in, look at the clipboard and say, ‘I have the information here, but tell me what’s going on in your own words,’” she told them.

Attendee Judith, who has Pulmonary Fibrosis, says she looks for a doctor who will do everything he or she can to answer her questions and accommodate her active lifestyle, which includes flying with oxygen. “Although I’ve met some wonderful nurses and doctors, I’ve had a bad experience with one doctor. I was told I’m not allowed to call and talk to his office anymore because I ask too many questions,” she said. ““Don’t diagnose and be done,” she advised the students.

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About the Author
63 years old. 20 year smoker. 11 Years FREE! Diagnosed with COPD. Choosing a Quality LIFE! It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. -Galatians 5:1