Author: Esther Sarlo, BA, CEO | Founder | Myndful Spark of Mynd Myself
You’re here reading this blog, so I know you’ve asked yourself this question at least once. Here’s another prompt: Have you ever been frustrated with:
- Finding a certain type of Practitioner
- Finding a Practitioner with whom you feel comfortable
- Feeling like you’ve tried everything and nothing, so far, has worked?
I believe we’ve all had great experiences and not-so-great experiences with medical professionals. Wouldn’t it be helpful if we could eliminate most of the not-so-great ones before they happen to us next time? I think it’s mostly achievable.
Who Are You?
First of all, having a sense of who you are and what your needs are is ‘mission critical.’ It’s important to take a bit of time to think about and/or write down the key things that are important to you when you prepare for seeking out a Healthcare Practitioner.
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- A welcoming and safe environment
- Your first interaction being with someone pleasant, competent, and inviting
- Respectful treatment
- A beautiful space
- A knowledgeable and confident Practitioner
- A Practitioner who asks great questions, listens, and cares about your responses
- A Practitioner who enjoys what they do (vs. someone ‘phoning in’ their diagnosis)
- A Practitioner who continues their own professional and personal learning journey
- A Practitioner who nurtures their own health
- Accessibility options: close to public transit, scent-free environment, being served in your native language, an elevator, accept your insurance provider, take credit card payments, etc.
There are so many elements to consider, and…
it’s important to be proactive about what YOU want.
I love this quote by Louis L’Amour (yup, I’m quoting Mr. L’Amour!) that speaks to being proactive:
“I would not sit waiting for some vague tomorrow, nor for something to happen. One could wait a lifetime, and find nothing at the end of the waiting. I would begin here, I would make something happen.”
If I don’t consider what’s important to me and take appropriate action, then I may stumble into something good. But, equally, I may stumble into something not-so-great.
My invitation to you is this:
Once you determine YOUR values, go seek out Practitioners (and other people and events in your life) who match or complement those values.
Research Practitioners’ Profiles:
If the information you find on a Mynd Myself’s Practitioner Profile doesn’t answer all your questions, then feel free to reach out to that Practitioner and ask them to clarify or expand! In the past, I think we’ve held up Medical Professionals as gurus and not simply other human beings with an area of expertise and influence.
Just because someone is an exceptional Doctor doesn’t necessarily mean they have a great ‘bedside manner.’ I’m willing to bet you’ve likely heard stories about fantastic surgeons who are curmudgeons! Maybe someone’s degree is your top priority. Cool. Find that information. Maybe a medical professional’s ability to listen and understand you is way more important than their being in the top one percent of their medical school class. Perhaps they spent a bit more time prioritizing and integrating good people skills than a few of their compatriots. Take your time to identify whatever it is YOU want…and go after it.
As the inimitable Ayn Rand says,
“Words are a lens to focus one’s mind.”
Evaluate Your Sessions
Then, once you’ve had a session with a Practitioner, do some evaluation with yourself.
- Think about how that appointment measured up to my expectations?
- Did I feel seen, heard, and understood?
- Did I feel confident in the Practitioner’s ability to help me?
- Did I come away with some good information? Some ways to take positive action?
- Did I WANT to book another appointment with the Practitioner?
- What did I think about the environment? Does it matter as much as the elements above?
It’s up to YOU whether you want to book or rebook an appointment with a Practitioner. (Even if there’s a shortage of Doctors!) It’s up to you whether you want to get another opinion. Dig deep. You’re worth it. And YOU MATTER!
I leave you with a quote from George Sheehan,
“If you want to find the answers to the Big Questions about your soul, you’d best begin with the Little Answers about your body.”
