Ethical Health Partnerships

Dawn Lipthrott
April 9, 2006
Orlando Sentinel: Other Views-My Word

Last week, I stood with a few friends at corners along 17-92 in Winter Park with a large banner urging people to thank their doctors in honor of Doctor’s Day. I wish every physician could have stook with us to hear and see patients’ appreciation of them. People showing their support ranged in age from 8 to 80. They were black, white, Hispanic, Asian. They drove dump trucks, buses, Jaguars, Hummers, old cars barely running, motorcycles, and repair trucks. People waved, honked their horns, gave thumbs up, yelled ‘Thank you’ out their window. Many even managed to do these things in rush hour traffic while talking on their cell phones!

Unveiling of Doctor's Day Banner 2006

As I’ve talked with doctors over the past two years, I have been surprised and saddened by how discouraged so many feel. They are frustrated with all the things that get in the way of their ability to practice medicine the way they want to practice, to be the kind of doctor they dreamed of being. Things like increasing paperwork, rules and regulations from insurance and government programs, denials and delays. Things like the ever present threat of malpractice claims combined with the highest premium rates in the nation. Things like insurance paying less and less for services while their practice expenses continue to rise. Things like having to squeeze in more patients to try to make up the difference, and then feeling rushed and exhausted. And, perhaps most painful of all, they feel unappreciated by patients.

There are some patients who believe the myth that most doctors are rich and just trying to get richer. Other patients are frustrated with wait times and feeling rushed. But, even among frustrated patients, most people do appreciate their physicians. Some say ‘thank you’ at the end of a visit and think the doctor knows how grateful they are. Some would like to say more but don’t know how, or feel embarrassed. Some just assume their doctor knows. So if you are one of those people, find a way to say thanks. You don’t need an official Doctor’s Day to send a card or fax, drop off a couple of flowers or a balloon. More than ever doctors need to know you value their care.

In that spirit, I want to thank all physicians, on behalf of all those people I saw and heard last week, for staying in practice with all the challenges you face and for trying to give the best care you can in spite of it all. We are waving, honking our horns, yelling ‘thank you’ and giving you thumbs up because we want you to know how much we appreciate all you do.

Dawn Lipthrott, LCSW is a relationship therapist in Winter Park.