I was listening to NPR this morning. They covered a fascinating story about a project being done in some VA hospitals. They have been experimenting with writing a personal history to be included in the patient's medical record.
They began initially with a poet who was sort of drafted into the project. The effort is known as My Life, My History. The net effect has been improved patient/doctor relationships. More empathy and understanding.
We hear so many unhappy things about the VA services that this was very refreshing.
I think such a project would be a wonderful thing to do locally. I would even volunteer to interview and/or write the patient history. I enjoy writing. This might even extend to family members of patients with dementia. Nurses see the patient more intimately but in many instances there is not enough time for interaction. The nurses would also have a pretty good idea of what they would like such a history to include.
I would suggest involving the medical staff and administration to get it all started. Some sort of bylaw might have to be written to cover any liability. There would of course be a signed nondisclosure agreement.
I would also suggest that initially the interviewer submit the history for review. I also would avoid using the dictation system at first, maybe offer its use after a period depending on the load of patients.
There should also be a format to follow to ask questions and to be followed by the interviewer to keep content organized. It is very annoying for the physician or caregiver wade through a document that meanders. The reader should be informed with salient details. The might be questions such as who influenced you most, what has been the most significant event in your life. What is the funniest joke you ever heard? What is your favorite color? What is your favorite memory?
Yeah, let's get moving on this.
They began initially with a poet who was sort of drafted into the project. The effort is known as My Life, My History. The net effect has been improved patient/doctor relationships. More empathy and understanding.
We hear so many unhappy things about the VA services that this was very refreshing.
I think such a project would be a wonderful thing to do locally. I would even volunteer to interview and/or write the patient history. I enjoy writing. This might even extend to family members of patients with dementia. Nurses see the patient more intimately but in many instances there is not enough time for interaction. The nurses would also have a pretty good idea of what they would like such a history to include.
I would suggest involving the medical staff and administration to get it all started. Some sort of bylaw might have to be written to cover any liability. There would of course be a signed nondisclosure agreement.
I would also suggest that initially the interviewer submit the history for review. I also would avoid using the dictation system at first, maybe offer its use after a period depending on the load of patients.
There should also be a format to follow to ask questions and to be followed by the interviewer to keep content organized. It is very annoying for the physician or caregiver wade through a document that meanders. The reader should be informed with salient details. The might be questions such as who influenced you most, what has been the most significant event in your life. What is the funniest joke you ever heard? What is your favorite color? What is your favorite memory?
Yeah, let's get moving on this.
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