In a complex, complicated and ailing healthcare system, these two words sum up the cure.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6042583/
And as the pandemic continues on, I want to say that as a Full Service Community Family Doctor who has a defined patient population… it has been a joy, honour and privilege taking care of my patients at this time (no burnout here).
Family Doctors take care of families.
I am entrusted with helping in some families, 4 generations, which resonate with my values as a caregiver and scientist. My job is easy! I will give a shout out to the B.C. Ministry of Health (dare I? 😉 ) for their billing code support for telemedicine!
There is much anxiety regarding the virus and the future and through a trusting, longitudinal relationship we are helping allay some of those fears and helping heal (many times using telemedicine, see https://blueskyfamilymedicine.family.blog/2020/04/26/covid-19-is-helping-improve-canadian-and-global-health/).
Just hoping that recent governmental directions of de-emphasizing Family Medicine and not supporting community Family Doctors in B.C. that we don’t follow our American cousins.
https://www.newyorker.com/science/medical-dispatch/americas-looming-primary-care-crisis
“The health-care system, Berwick said, was falling into the same trap: clinging to a sometimes burdensome tool, no matter the circumstances. “Our Pulaski,” he argued, “is the encounter—the visit.” A better health-care system could only be built if “scientists, professionals, patients, payers, and the health-care workforce” agreed “that the product we choose to make is not visits. Our product is healing relationships.”
Thanks Dr. Berwick! Words to live and heal by!
Peace!
Blue Sky Family Medicine 