Edita F. Extra-Mendoza, MD
Artists learn that in order to emphasize light or brightness, they must first lay down a darker background.
I remember back to my early years when Dr. Flynn was our family doctor. I was a sickly child and saw him regularly. My Mother would take me and we would sit in his waiting room until our turn. Then we were invited into his office where he spent as much time as was necessary taking a history, reviewing records, administering medications, listening, and answering questions. After we were finished, we left his office.
That was then.
Today patients are herded into tiny rooms, most without windows, and sparsely furnished with two chairs, a stool, small desk, and an examination table. And you wait.
Finally, the doctor arrives, having just taken your chart (file) from outside the door. A moment of pleasantries, and your office visit begins. You begin by describing why you are there. You will probably be asked questions about your prior medical history, which should have been evident to your doctor if he had taken a moment to review your chart.
At some premature point, the doctor leaves, usually on the pretense of getting a prescription for you. You never see him or her again.
This may not be standard operating procedure for all doctors, but it seems typical of the ones I see. Neither is it intended to be an indictment of the entire medical profession. It just happens all too often.
Doctors are driven by the insurance industry. In order to make a fair(?) amount of income, they must see a certain number of patients each day. To do that, they come into the tiny room where you are, and then are free to leave as they choose, not when you have discussed everything you wanted. No more Dr. Flynns.
Enough darkness. Let me now paint a flash of brightness.
Edita F. Extra-Mendoza, MD, is the exception. She is the primary care physician for two of my family members. I took my Mother to see her last Friday. The experience was noteworthy to say the least.
Same tiny room with the same furnishings, however when Dr. Mendoza arrived, the sameness disappeared.
It was evident from the beginning that she truly cared about her patient. She spoke directly to her patient, my Mother; not me. She patiently listened to her complaints. She reviewed her chart. She asked pertinent questions; a lot of questions. Only then did she turn to me for additional input. Finally, after a further review of the chart, she proposed her plan of action.
Dr. Mendoza did excuse herself at one point while some additional tests were being analyzed. She promised to return and she did. After insuring that we had no further questions, she said she wanted to see my Mother in another thirty days to review the effects of the medication changes. Then, and only then, did she leave.
Dr. Mendoza has done more for my Mother in the relatively short time she has cared and treated her than all of her previous doctors in Iowa. The quality of her professional care means much to me and our family. She’s the best.
One more thing. We are all too quick to rant and complain. Rarely, do we hand out compliments. Yes, I told Dr. Mendoza how much we appreciated her care and concern for my Mother. I thought it only appropriate to tell the world.
February 7th, 2006 at 10:47 am
This is a wonderful tribute to this doctor. You know you have a winner when you see the sincere care she gives.
Our family, too, enjoys such a doctor. Dr. Valerie Wohl is such a caring doctor and person.
February 7th, 2006 at 3:35 pm
And these guys wonder why they get sued so often. When you treat people like most of them do–like your time is worth nothing and they are some sort of God, its a small wonder that the traditional relationship between doctor and patient has gone by the wayside. And there is no question in my mind that is the reason why people sue them–the perception is that you amount to nothing and they don’t care.
February 7th, 2006 at 6:59 pm
A lawsuit vs Dr. Flynn would have never occurred to my parents, regardless of the circumstances. After all, he was the family doctor, and almost considered part of our family.
But when the medical profession started putting patients into little rooms, breezing in and out at their pleasure (not yours), and leaving patients with the impression that they were nothing more than his or her 10 o’clock or 3 o’clock, the close doctor-patient relationship vanished. Without that, doctors became fair game.
In past years, patients would rarely question their doctor’s actions. Today, lawyers will only quit suing doctors when doctors quit committing acts of malpractice.