Family Medicine and Team-Based Care Version 2.0

02.04.23

You said it, Merv!

Three days into the new Family Practice Longitudinal Care care model and I am already loving it! It gives patient/family-centred care and relationship a whole new way of healing!

I spent time helping an Elder couple who were accompanied by their caring son who helps oversee their care. They are still living independently in community. Without their son’s time and care, they would most likely be in Assisted Living or Long Term Care (thank you, L!).

Spoiler Alert: The pattern I see with Elder patients who have complex health issues (like dementia, heart disease, diabetes, COPD or CVA/strokes) and continue to live at home in community… children and/or other caring family members/friends are involved. They will often come to the Family Doctor appointments and help advocate and voice their family members issues and concerns. Family Medicine at it’s best! ❤

In the visit, I was also able to review the consult from one of our town’s amazing Geriatric Psychiatrists (who I will sometimes text – see below) with regards to medications and care plan.

Later that morning, for another patient who has a complex medical issues plus significant financial challenges and no phone – we searched for a cheap phone plan so he could stay connected. I helped 3 of my young adult patients with their various health concerns and social challenges. Their collective trust in me to help them is rocket fuel to me!

I also helped 2 Elder patients, one with a significant medical condition who ended up going to Emergency (we were able to advocate and support him) and the other, we did a punch biopsy to help diagnose a chronic skin issue (with the help from a Consult Derm Dermatologist!).

I think you get the idea… it was a day of helping (and healing) a variety of my Family Practice patients through relational, longitudinal Family Medicine… such an honour and privilege!

Oh, and I got paid doing it as well. ;P