No matter how busy the day, take the time to look patients in the eye when
discussing their condition. Break the ice by discussing something other than the
surgery. Ask about their family, their kids, their hobbies. Try to understand how
much they know about the scheduled surgery, and fill in the information gaps.
Be humble. Be warm. Hold patients' hands, no matter how tough they look or
act. I'm a strong surgeon who constantly pushes ahead in my career, but I felt
weak and vulnerable in pre-op. All patients crave a caring, human touch in the
moments before surgery. The simple phrase "everything will be OK, we're going
to take great care of you" makes an incredible impact.
Also take a few minutes to connect with the friends or family members who
escort their loved ones to surgery. Having a support system at home that feels
involved in the care and understands the importance of post-op recovery
improves outcomes.
L esson No. 3: Be patient
You might wonder, Why don't patients ever listen? You tell them the same
things over and over again, and yet they still ask questions about something you
explained 10 minutes earlier. It's because they're scared or overwhelmed with
the situation and the sights and sounds of surgery. Be patient and understand-
ing. Answer questions thoughtfully and respectfully, no matter how often they're
asked.
L esson No. 4: E ducate and inform
My surgeon briefed me on the operation and all aspects of my recovery, just as I
have briefed so many hundreds of my own patients. It was only when I was on
the receiving end that I developed a keener understanding of the post-surgical
recovery process from a patient's perspective, and how important it is to keep
patients informed about what they'll experience.
In addition to feeling the effects of general anesthesia, my bowel and urinary
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