#Getoveryourselfdoc"
JAMA published an unfortunate article(1) which highlights why doctors need to develop humility and a more team based approach.
The article focused on how physicians should not be called “providers”.
Doctors take umbrage over being called "providers"? Unfortunate that is what some spend their time thinking about and publishing on. Don’t we need to get over titles? We should address our patients needs not perceived “microaggression”.
Not only is it immaterial what contracts and regulations label us, I suggest we make every effort to be addressed by our first name to patients. After an introduction as to your role, let patients decide whether they prefer to call you by a title or your first name. Isn’t patient engagement and shared decision making about demystifying medical care and engaging/educating our patients to understand?
Do we need more approbation other than just the honor to be selected to be a caregiver?
I mentor many medical students and I decry a medical education system that focuses more on a deification process rather than humanization process. Why do we focus on allopathic medicine, sickness oriented training, rather than holistic medicine focused on the entire patient?
Direct language from the view point says
"Being referred to as a provider may feel offensive to dedicated health professionals, ... The generic designation can produce a disparaging and demoralizing effect...,(and) is perceived as a lack of respect, which could threaten professional satisfaction and commitment."
Are physicians so in need of more respect? They already enjoy enormous societal admiration. The care we give is a privilege. We are part of a sacred profession that doesn't require constant praise and adulation. It is not about physician ego but team work and being a healer.
So sad that appellation and perceived slight dominates some physicians’ thoughts.
Celebrate the joy of being a caregiver, healer , team member and trusted friend to your patients
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2780641
Copyright NicolasArgy 2021