||| FROM TOM EVERSOLE, ORCAS ISLAND HEALTH CARE DISTRICT INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT |||
Members of our community have held a long-standing appreciation that we are living on a small island in close proximity to each other. The phrase “neighbors helping neighbors” is often mentioned to convey that recognition.
In a time of pandemic and global unrest, several studies have indicated that, nationally, we are experiencing a significant increase in unrespectful behaviors compared to pre-pandemic times.
In a health care setting, receptionists sometimes are the focus of patient frustration, even though they are not responsible for the person’s concern.
To that end Island Primary Care-Orcas Clinic staff has discussed this issue and created the following statement:
The staff at IPC-OC believe that mutual respect is critical to the delivery of quality medical care. Often, the delivery and receipt of medical care can be an emotional experience. It is especially important at this time that we all maintain a mutual respect for each other. We are committed to treating everyone at the clinic with dignity and respect. If you are at the clinic and see anyone (staff, patients, families of patients, visitors) behaving in a manner that is not mutually respectful, please call 376.2561 and ask to be put through to the Clinic Manager, who will follow up on what you share with her.
The District’s own policy for a violence and abuse-free healthcare environment supports the Clinic’s policy. We truly are all in this together, even when things might be challenging, and we can all help to ensure that we treat each other with the respect that everyone deserves.
If you have questions or concerns regarding this or any other topic, please contact the OIHCD Board at www.orcashealth.org or the Superintendent via email at TomE@orcashealth.org. To join the District’s e-mail list, go to the “Stay Informed” window and click “Join Us.” Thank you!
**If you are reading theOrcasonian for free, thank your fellow islanders. If you would like to support theOrcasonian CLICK HERE to set your modestly-priced, voluntary subscription. Otherwise, no worries; we’re happy to share with you.**
Tom, this is a sad comment, but thank you for exposing the behavior.
However, this gives me a chance to mention my pet peeve as concerns Island Hospital’s process of phone contact. That is, no matter which # one calls, presuming one’s getting the clinic receptionists, It goes instead to a central phone dispatch at Island Hospital. I recently had a 2 week back-and-forth (actually, longer than that) attempt to schedule an appointment at Peace Health in Friday Harbor. The snafu was not the fault of the clinic, but due to too many go-betweens in the attempt to get the right messages through. I was not given the chance to talk directly to the Orcas clinic.
I would encourage the District to ask I.H. to give us direct contact with our clinic for appointments.
Thank you.
I was a patient at the medical center the day that a staff member was physically assaulted by a patient. Even in that instance, they were nothing but professional within the clinic.
I have nothing but admiration and appreciation for how they conducted themselves and am thankful that they are there to meet our needs. Anyone lacking appreciation for all that they do is welcome to take their medical needs elsewhere. The rest of us appreciate you freeing up the space
I have always had great respect and admiration for those front-line front desk receptionists, and have been treated always with kindness and respect by every one of them. They deserve our kindness and respect in return because they get the brunt of everything; every complaint, every frustration.They are on the hot seat and get blamed for things over which they have no control and aren;t their fault. I’m glad there is a policy that takes their important role seriously
. That said, I have not always been so lucky with a few of the doctors that went through that clinic and that I tried; it made me regret ever giving up Dr. Russell as my primary care physician while I was there.. One doctor in Sept 2020 told me I wasn’t worth his time after being there for about 5 minutes. He also way misdiagnosed what was going on with my body but he was so sure he would not even listen to anything i said. This was after another doctor bailed on me – my PCP – a female – who didn’t even have the decency to let me know that she bailed.
The attitudes I’ve had from some of the doctors has been appalling to me; so much so that I never went back to the clinic after this doctor said that to me in 2929, except once- when there was no other way to get a referral to continue Physical Therapy. For any doctor to treat someone who’s been in their body for a long time, as if they are stupid or can’t possibly know anything about their own body; this is not “helping” a client. It is a huge red flag about why people are afraid to try yet another doctor there. I was never treated like that by Dr. Russell. I think the clinic needs a policy to protect patients and clients from the damage of arrogant, rigid doctors. Frankly, I’m afraid to try again.
All the nurses there have been great; if I was ever going to give that place another chance, I’d probably be more inclined to try one of the nurses. For now, I just hope I don’t get really ill or need another referral!
sorry. buncha typos. the type is so small that i can’t see what I’m typing until the post is up for moderation and I can’t fix it.