Two simple
and beautiful
reasons why
you should treat
your patients
like your guests.
I learned about this idea of treating patients as guests from the instructor who taught Women’s Health at the ultrasound school that I attended, because she always stressed the importance of being kind to your patients.
This was a woman who had been working as an ultrasound tech for over 10 years! And she loved her work! Loved her patient interactions! Was happy and relaxed.
To me that was amazing. I wanted an ultrasound career like that. I wanted that kind of joy in my day.
So I listened to her, I watched her when she interacted with people, and I learned a lot about the power of being kind.
Keep reading to see my reasons for treating each and every one of my patients like welcome guests.
This was a woman who had been working as an ultrasound tech for over 10 years! And she loved her work! Loved her patient interactions! Was happy and relaxed.
To me that was amazing. I wanted an ultrasound career like that. I wanted that kind of joy in my day.
So I listened to her, I watched her when she interacted with people, and I learned a lot about the power of being kind.
Keep reading to see my reasons for treating each and every one of my patients like welcome guests.
Firstly, it's for you!
Its a sure fire way to fill your day with positive cheerful personal interactions.
When you show your patients kindness and respect they almost automatically treat you the same way.
This is because most people coming in for an ultrasound arrive nervous, tired or in pain, and when you show them that they are in a safe place, and that for the next 30 minutes or so they can relax and be treated kindly, you will see a major change in that person.
You can find the most cheerful, funny, cheeky, clever people underneath a nervous face if you offer kindness and compassion to them.
They relax and make jokes, share interesting stories or just smile genuinely at you and thank you for your kindness.
And that just plain feels good.
It makes the time you spend with them delightful, it may, in fact, just make your day. Every day. Imagine that.
When you show your patients kindness and respect they almost automatically treat you the same way.
This is because most people coming in for an ultrasound arrive nervous, tired or in pain, and when you show them that they are in a safe place, and that for the next 30 minutes or so they can relax and be treated kindly, you will see a major change in that person.
You can find the most cheerful, funny, cheeky, clever people underneath a nervous face if you offer kindness and compassion to them.
They relax and make jokes, share interesting stories or just smile genuinely at you and thank you for your kindness.
And that just plain feels good.
It makes the time you spend with them delightful, it may, in fact, just make your day. Every day. Imagine that.
Secondly, its for them!
You are making your patient feel like a real person.
Not just another number in this big healthcare machine -- which, we must admit, can get a little impersonal at times.
Think about how you would want your mother or grandfather, sister or son treated if they were going for a medical scan, were feeling anxious and a bit sick.
I remember worrying about this the year my mother was diagnosed with both endometrial and breast cancer. Were they being nice to her? Was she being taken care of? Did anyone have the time to give her a kind word before she went into surgery?
To my immense relief she had a very positive experience with her doctors and nurses, often speaking of them with a smile, and that helped to make the immense stress of that year a little lighter on those of us around her.
Also think about how you would like to be treated. Say you had a nagging cavity and was headed to your dentist for a filling. You dread the dentist visit, the drill, the big freezing needle ... ugh. But when your dentist or dental assistants take a moment to smile and reassure you, that makes a big difference in the experience. You are able to face it with more confidence. It's an easier trial to get through.
Having the ability to positively impact the medical experience of so many people is an amazing gift. When that first dawned on me, I was floored, humbled, and happy. I liked that power. I liked being that person. And you can be that person too!
Not just another number in this big healthcare machine -- which, we must admit, can get a little impersonal at times.
Think about how you would want your mother or grandfather, sister or son treated if they were going for a medical scan, were feeling anxious and a bit sick.
I remember worrying about this the year my mother was diagnosed with both endometrial and breast cancer. Were they being nice to her? Was she being taken care of? Did anyone have the time to give her a kind word before she went into surgery?
To my immense relief she had a very positive experience with her doctors and nurses, often speaking of them with a smile, and that helped to make the immense stress of that year a little lighter on those of us around her.
Also think about how you would like to be treated. Say you had a nagging cavity and was headed to your dentist for a filling. You dread the dentist visit, the drill, the big freezing needle ... ugh. But when your dentist or dental assistants take a moment to smile and reassure you, that makes a big difference in the experience. You are able to face it with more confidence. It's an easier trial to get through.
Having the ability to positively impact the medical experience of so many people is an amazing gift. When that first dawned on me, I was floored, humbled, and happy. I liked that power. I liked being that person. And you can be that person too!
Remember: You can be an amazing positive influence in a person’s day. You have that power.
Happy scanning!
If you have any tips or tricks or useful stories to share about your experiences with treating your patients kindly please comment on them below. Let’s share the knowledge and continue making ultrasound awesome.
If you have any tips or tricks or useful stories to share about your experiences with treating your patients kindly please comment on them below. Let’s share the knowledge and continue making ultrasound awesome.