Hospitals can be scary for most of us. Just thinking about being admitted to a hospital, even if that might be for a day, could seem to be unnerving! Patients with serious problems aren’t allowed to move out of bed, at least not without medical assistance. Then, there are all kinds of patients in the surrounding, all kinds of nurses and doctors doing the rounds, constant blood checkups, and all sorts of negativity around! On top of that, when doctors are visiting you, they will just put you up on medications and injections, without waiting to stop and explain what they are doing and why. So, leave along the physical pain that patients are going through, the mental trauma is nothing less! In fact, it has been reported that almost 50% of patients admitted to ICUs experienced post traumatic stress disorder! This is why there are certain changes that healthcare facilities and professionals need to make to help patients stay at ease, and away from anxiety and trauma.
Patients must be kept prepared beforehand
Patients need to be well educated about their condition, the procedures, the possible outcomes, and also the negative consequences, if any. Patients who are familiar with their condition can respond better to the treatments. When they know what they can expect, they are satisfied; and when they know what negative consequences they can face, they are well prepared to deal with it.
Doubts must be cleared
After explaining the condition to the patient, they must be asked if they have any doubts or questions in mind. It is important to clear all their doubts and make sure that they have no more questions in mind before starting the procedure. This will help them feel empowered in a tough situation.
Patients must be told what is being done
Healthcare professionals must let the patient clearly know what is being done and why, with every detail spoken of. This will help them understand the entire procedure and be mentally prepared to take up each step, which will help the procedure to pass faster and better.
Nothing should be rushed
Any medical procedure, no matter how simple or complex, must never be rushed. Even if the doctor has lots of patients to attend to in a very short span of time, he must remember that every patient is important. Any kind of rush on the doctor’s side can make the patients feel worried and frightened, thus worsening the situation. So, doctors must take the time required to make patients comfortable.
Any complications must be admitted
We are all humans, and humans are bound to make mistakes. No one makes mistakes on purpose; and a doctor would definitely not! But, if for any reason whatsoever, there arise any complications, the healthcare professionals must accept it and speak about it to the patients. They must let the patients prepare for such worse situations before they actually face them. This will make them mentally stronger and physically tolerant.
All after-care instructions must be clearly stated
Any kind of surgery requires after-care; and any kind of treatment requires side-care. Patients must be given complete advice about all these instructions beforehand. This could be done both in conversation as well as written form. Whatever it is, every detail must be specified to avoid any complications in the future.
At Maitri Hospital, our general physician in Kota, and in fact every other doctor and healthcare professional, strives to heal patients completely, while offering them with complete comfort and ease. Minimizing even the biggest traumas is our duty, and we do our best to achieve that!
