When you see patients on a daily basis, you may find yourself getting into a mechanical mode. You read labs, make decisions, inform patients, and follow-up. But, are you really making a positive impact on anyone in this situation? You are doing your job, of course, but by making a few changes to the way you do your job, you could make a positive impact on the people around you. Consider a few ways we can all make a difference.
- Take the time to talk. You are busy and have a full schedule. It is not always possible to sit and chat. Yet, this is what the patient really needs. He or she needs to know you have the skills, but also the compassion to help them. You can make a positive impact on the lives of others simply by taking the time to get to know them and talking to them.
- Consider the resources you provide. Giving your patients the tools they need to make a change in their lives is very important. It is one thing to tell them they need to lose weight. It is something else to provide resources, introduce patients to those who can help, and to take an active role in following-up with them. Provide better resources for improved long-term results.
- Be an advocate for those who need it. You'll find one of the best ways to make a positive impact on the lives of others is to be actively involved in improving quality of life. Take the time to get involved in charity work. Take the time to use your education and experience to impact decisions that affect people who are poor or alone.
Making a positive difference in the lives of other people is not just good for them. It is also good for you. It can help you to grow your career and help you to feel good about yourself and your future. In many ways, those small positive impacts you make change the lives of the people who you interact with. Sometimes, this happens in ways you simply cannot see initially.