Thread by @DavidLat

The latest installment in #LatsCovid19Journal by yours truly, @DavidLat aka #CoronaBoy:

"How To Be A Good Patient."

#Coronavirus #Coronavirus2020 #healthcare #HealthcareHeroes #Covid19 #Covid_19

I'll use this acronym (partly because I could really use some Percocet right now for rib-cage pain from my cough): PERCOS.

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"P" stands for "Positive." It's a cliche, but true: much of life comes down to your attitude. You can be positive (or at least stoic), or you can complain constantly. What's better?

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Complaints won't get you better care; you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. You might be a big shot outside the hospital, but inside the hospital, the #healthcare workers run your life. Be nice to them.

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"E" stands for "Empathetic." We usually think of our #HealthCareHeroes as exhibiting empathy - and they should, as I'll discuss in How To Be A Good Healthcare Professional - but patients need empathy too.

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Where do you think this doctor or nurse would rather be right now? Literally cleaning your s**t in the middle of the night, or at home with family watching Netflix and eating tacos? (TITCR: Tacos.)

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So empathize. Think about the difficult and demanding jobs these #HealthCareHeroes work -- stress, long hours, physical demands -- and now, thanks to #coronavirus, the fear of taking a potentially fatal virus home to the family.

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Before ringing that nurse call button a second time because nobody came in 5 minutes, ask yourself: how many other patients do you think this overburdened floor is handling? Do you think you're the only one? 'Cause you're not.

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"R" stands for "Respectful" Learn each #HealthCareWorkers name - and use it. They are people and like being treated as such. Say "please" and "thank you," as you were taught growing up.

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Give opportunities to decline requests - e.g., "if it's not too much trouble" or "no problem if not possible." Much of what #HealthCareWorkers do is triage. Is your second serving of ice cream as important as another patient's meds?

#LatsCovid19Journal

"C" stands for "Compliant." Help these #HealthcareHeroes help you. Obey instructions and comply with requests. There's almost always a good reason for a hospital policy or protocol; it's not all (or even mostly) power tripping.

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Track details of your condition so you can answer their questions, especially since your care team will change over shifts. Don't wince when they do a blood draw; it won't hurt any less. (I don't even look anymore.)

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"O" stands for "Obliged." Be thankful. Express gratitude, early and often. Try not just to say the words but to feel them in your heart. These folks are putting themselves and their families at risk to help YOU.

#LatsCovid19Journal #CoronavirusUSA

"S" stands for "Self-Empowered." Be an active and helpful participant in your own care. Ask smart questions (and don't repeat them). Advocate for yourself and for quality care, but don't be annoying or entitled.

#LatsCovid19Journal #Covid19

These are trying times for #HealthCareWorkers. Today, #NationalDoctorsDay, takes place as the #coronavirus taxes hospitals and ravages #healthcare systems globally. Are you part of the problem, or part of the solution?

xoxo,
#CoronaBoy

#LatsCovid19Journal