I have never been a collector of other people's business cards nor have I been anxious to pass out my own. But suddenly, I have a stack of business cards from people I barely know, but who will play an important part in my life and treatment. I have glued them into my blue "RoRX" binder.
As I said earlier, I have an environmental disease, malignant melanoma, probably associated with lots of unprotected sun exposure when young and when sunburn and tanning were promoted as culturally appropriate, In those days, the "healthy look" included a significant tan, but if one's ancestry included a fair skin, that look presaged trouble years later as strange spots became cancerous and spread.
So now I am surrounded by people whose business cards not only reflect "MD" and "RN" status, but FACR, RTT, Research Coordinator, PH.D, and BSN appellations as well as the initials of the various professional groups and associations to which they belong. As a person who practiced hematology (involving malignant oncology) I note that medical care no longer reflects a solitary physician-controlled activity, it reflects a team approach involving people who work with - but not necessarily for - the doctor in charge.
Years ago, I received a published research paper from a university medical school professor whose patient I had informed about the nature of the procedure to which that academic had convinced him to participate (I asked the patient to ask the professor about the benefit that he - the patient - would receive from participating in an invasive and potentially dangerous procedure) bearing the inscription "to Henry Kaplan, MD, without whose help this paper would have been published ___ years earlier" I consider it a welcome change to see the inclusion of individuals in care who believe - and act on the principle - that he and she are responsible for providing highly competent care to an informed patient even though even though the individual's business card does not say "MD" or "RN".
I'll figure out all of their names somewhere down the line. I'm sure that I haven't finished accumulating their printed business cards. Pictures on those cards would be a nice addition.
Yesterday, I spent 3 hours at the nearby university hospital which will be providing me with radiation oncology services, met at least 8 non-physician people previously unknown to me and left the facility with the feeling that I had been well cared-for by well trained highly competent professionals who took satisfaction from the work they were doing.
Medical knowledge has improved. And so has medical care.
As I said earlier, I have an environmental disease, malignant melanoma, probably associated with lots of unprotected sun exposure when young and when sunburn and tanning were promoted as culturally appropriate, In those days, the "healthy look" included a significant tan, but if one's ancestry included a fair skin, that look presaged trouble years later as strange spots became cancerous and spread.
So now I am surrounded by people whose business cards not only reflect "MD" and "RN" status, but FACR, RTT, Research Coordinator, PH.D, and BSN appellations as well as the initials of the various professional groups and associations to which they belong. As a person who practiced hematology (involving malignant oncology) I note that medical care no longer reflects a solitary physician-controlled activity, it reflects a team approach involving people who work with - but not necessarily for - the doctor in charge.
Years ago, I received a published research paper from a university medical school professor whose patient I had informed about the nature of the procedure to which that academic had convinced him to participate (I asked the patient to ask the professor about the benefit that he - the patient - would receive from participating in an invasive and potentially dangerous procedure) bearing the inscription "to Henry Kaplan, MD, without whose help this paper would have been published ___ years earlier" I consider it a welcome change to see the inclusion of individuals in care who believe - and act on the principle - that he and she are responsible for providing highly competent care to an informed patient even though even though the individual's business card does not say "MD" or "RN".
I'll figure out all of their names somewhere down the line. I'm sure that I haven't finished accumulating their printed business cards. Pictures on those cards would be a nice addition.
Yesterday, I spent 3 hours at the nearby university hospital which will be providing me with radiation oncology services, met at least 8 non-physician people previously unknown to me and left the facility with the feeling that I had been well cared-for by well trained highly competent professionals who took satisfaction from the work they were doing.
Medical knowledge has improved. And so has medical care.
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