Jonathan M. Evans is a geriatric
physician. A firm believer in onsite physicians at nursing homes, he
explained, “The thing that matters most is being there – being there for
patients when they're sick; being there for families when they're in need; being
there for staff to provide support and ongoing education. You can't be part of a
team if you're not present.”
Should the nursing home physician
communicate directly with patients and family members rather than through the
staff? Evans’ answer is -- “Why the hell not?”
Evans pointed out, "A doctor should
always communicate with a patient directly unless a patient is not able to make
medical decisions and has a medical proxy to guard confidentiality.” In the
absence of a full-time physician, dementia
patients are at a disadvantage. The doctor reads charts, talks to staff,
talks to patient, but fails to communicate with family.
If a physician talks with family rather than just reading
charts, patients can be helped more effectively. In the absence of
a full time physician, there is a disconnect.
http://newamericamedia.org/2013/03/full-time-nursing-home-docs-should-be-mandatory.php
by Bernard Hamill
Nursing Home Abuse
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