What To Do When You Feel Invisible as a Patient
The morning after my double mastectomy, I anxiously looked down at the bandages on my chest. While I expected to be wrapped like a mummy following the surgery, instead, there was merely one large gauze pad on each breast. Nine months earlier, while celebrating my 10-year anniversary being cancer free, I never thought I’d be […]
Addressing Healthcare Provider Burnout Is Top Priority for Improving Patient Care and Experiences
Let’s talk about burnout, specifically for our healthcare providers. It’s something we hear about quite a bit, but it’s reaching crisis levels. Even before the Covid pandemic, these professionals were battling overwhelming stress and exhaustion. And it’s not just about the long hours; it’s a system that’s been letting them down for years. The ripple […]
The Imbalance of Power Between Doctors and Patients
In the intricate world of healthcare, the relationship between doctors and patients is often seen as one of collaboration and trust. But beneath this surface lies a power dynamic that can profoundly influence the care patients receive. This imbalance of power is a subtle yet pervasive issue that can undermine patient outcomes, particularly for those […]
Lessons from a Chronic Pain and Depression Sufferer:Healthcare Must Prioritize Patients’ Mental Health
Caring for patients as whole human beings requires meeting their often-overlooked mental health needs, too. For years, I was one of 17 million Americans who suffered with high impact chronic pain (HICP) so severe that even basic daily activities became unmanageable. HICP is a subcategory of chronic pain that significantly diminishes a person’s ability to […]