Thread by @DrNoelGrisdale

I’m just a family doc...I know a lot about a lot but prob don’t know everything about anything
I’ve spent 25yrs solving the undifferentiated patient. My generalist lens gives me good insight into the human condition...I’ve seen the best & the worst & everything in btwn /1

I’m a keen observer of words people choose, yet more so of the one’s they don’t. I notice non-verbal cues that tell me they are not ok despite the message they tried to send. These honed skills help me as I interact in other venues & at other tables. /2

It’s a privilege & a burden to be given access to a human being sometimes in their most vulnerable state. The role of guide, confidante, cheerleader, and expert often interchanged. Sometimes we must lead, yet to truly help, sometimes we must follow. Trust is at the heart of it/3

Difficult conversations are not uncommon...mutual respect is felt. Compromise can be a victory because in the end it’s not about me..it’s about you..my patient & what you need & not what I want. Research has shown our relationship to save $$ and for you to be far healthier /4

I know you better than anyone else. I know when we have time to observe or when we need to be concerned. I try not to, but i often worry about u long after the day ends..I revisit decisions & why I made them many times over Decisions need to be made, often without all the info /5

The Doc that has all the info typically makes the dx & looks to be the “smart one”. For you I’m always trying to be the smart one. Despite yours & my best efforts we sometimes have to wait..be patient..until more clues emerge. To be good at my job I need to recognize /6

what I don’t know and when I need help from someone with specialized knowledge or skills.

I appreciate the excellent care provided to my pts by my specialist colleagues /7

I try to get the most value from their time & expertise by providing quality referral info. As we strengthen linkages btwn specialists & 1*care with I.T/EMR/virtual care we’ll have more efficient, high quality cost effective care /8

Regardless, I will always be here for you. Sometimes I just need to be a reassuring or supportive voice, a familiar face in a system that can be daunting when you are plunged into it with a serious illness. I understand how our health care system works /9

-how much of it is designed by & for providers, rather than by & for you, my patient. Technology will help us to change that...we know we need to...you need to demand it.
I work in the community & see & understand the gaps that are present /10

& how the evolution of the medical home & medical community can fill those gaps, keeping you healthier in our community & out of the expensive daunting acute care system. My patients says, “Doc you seem to know a lot about what needs to change & what needs to be strengthened../11

...did you ever think of specializing instead of being JUST a GP”
Nope, I say...”I like being JUST a Family Doc”
Pt says..” that’s good b/c I hoping I’ll need you for a while”
😃❤️/end