From my memorable quotes pile:
Harried caregiver: What are we supposed to do next? Instructions from doctors, just getting through the day, plus dealing with bureaucracy? My word, I’m so overwhelmed. Everybody thinks their thing is the most important. Can’t this be easier for my wife and me?
Recently diagnosed patient: I feel like crap. I want to follow instructions, I do. I thought I understood everything at the office. Now I’m home, how do I get my questions answered?
Long distance proxy: My problem is to understand what my mother wants for herself and to keep track of who says they’re doing something for her, what they’re doing, and when they’re doing it.
Primary Care Clinician: Worrying about what I don’t know about my patients recently discharged from the hospital keeps me up at night
Patient: I was discharged after bypass surgery with 26 pages of instructions. I was just concerned about getting home.
ED Clinician: The instructions are simple enough. Why don’t they just follow them?
Specialist: Look, I’ve got 15 minutes. I don’t have time to help them figure out how to solve their lives.
Employer: He’s on the phone dealing with his dad’s issues twice a day. I need him focused, here.
Vendor: Just click on the diagnosis code, and the care plan pops up. You just have to customize it.
Person with MS: I see six specialists in three different systems, all with portals, and I’m still the one schlepping information from one doc to the other.
Clinic Nurse Manager: The calls I get from upset and confused caregivers is taking way too much of my time. I can’t get my job done.
Clinic Medical Director: My young docs are burning out too fast. They spend so much time in the EHR. They want to spend it with the patients.
Hospital CFO: We’re losing money on readmissions. Can’t the clinics manage these people?
Recently discharged patient: I don’t know when to call my doc or the hospital. What if I have new symptoms or questions about all these meds? Should I bother them on the weekend or at night?
And you thought you had it bad!?
Oh.So.True.