This was a great reminder for caregivers of all types. I have been the main caregiver to my totally paralyzed (from a car accident) daughter for over 15 years. I have learned so much and the Lord has truly blessed us both. After all, I get to work in my own comfortable home, caring for my best friend. It isn’t easy, but it is worth it.
JCJune 20, 2019
As a caregiver of my Husband for the past 5+ years, I needed this advice. It is a challenge to work full-time and support us financially, take care of the house & yard, help the kids and the grandkids, have a church calling, plus get my ministering visits and not feel overwhelmed with life. We do need a care-givers "rest" day--to take the day off and not feel guilty. Thanks so much for the article!
David Newbold, PhDJune 20, 2019
Three Types of Healthcare Providers
During my lifetime and perhaps more keenly aware of, in my professional career of practicing psychology for 40 years, I have observed three main types of healthcare providers, meaning physicians, nurses, on down to lab technicians and aids of all kinds. My own mental health professions are also part of these groups or divisions.
First, are those that do not do a particularly good job of adequately diagnosing illnesses or disorders. They often do a less impressive job of treating those maladies which they are called upon to heal. I have been most fortunate in my lifetime to have only been personally handled a limited number of times by these individuals, and I have quickly discontinued my interaction with them. Plumbing might be a more suitable career for some of these people.
Second, are the providers that are adequate, and sometimes highly skilled with the science or art of diagnosis. They are often useful and experienced in treating illness and curing diseases in patients. But their skills and ability are limited; they are only capable of identifying and healing illness. I turn away from these providers in short order. I have not liked them much.
Third, are those caregivers who are just what the word implies, they are actual caregivers. They possess the ability to identify disease correctly and with a high degree of accuracy. They are skilled in the treatments that they apply. But they have the capacity to treat people. Skills and intelligence are highly crucial in healthcare professions. True healers possess compassion and do not hesitate to provide their patients with an abundance of kindness and caring. Again, they treat people, not just illness. These are the providers that I seek out, and I am grateful for their skills and their compassion.
During the lengthy illness, spinal cord cancer, that my late wife, Lorene, experienced we most certainly encountered all three types of these providers. I was saddened by the poor quality of care that occurred in some situations. I could not understand having excellent skills and not an ounce of bedside manner. But I relished the attention and care given by those who knew how to treat people. Those providers had a positive impact on my wife’s dealing with her pain and death. They were also able to treat me as well; they reminded me of what is truly most important in life; to love and care.
Comments | Return to Story
DianeJune 20, 2019
This was a great reminder for caregivers of all types. I have been the main caregiver to my totally paralyzed (from a car accident) daughter for over 15 years. I have learned so much and the Lord has truly blessed us both. After all, I get to work in my own comfortable home, caring for my best friend. It isn’t easy, but it is worth it.
JCJune 20, 2019
As a caregiver of my Husband for the past 5+ years, I needed this advice. It is a challenge to work full-time and support us financially, take care of the house & yard, help the kids and the grandkids, have a church calling, plus get my ministering visits and not feel overwhelmed with life. We do need a care-givers "rest" day--to take the day off and not feel guilty. Thanks so much for the article!
David Newbold, PhDJune 20, 2019
Three Types of Healthcare Providers During my lifetime and perhaps more keenly aware of, in my professional career of practicing psychology for 40 years, I have observed three main types of healthcare providers, meaning physicians, nurses, on down to lab technicians and aids of all kinds. My own mental health professions are also part of these groups or divisions. First, are those that do not do a particularly good job of adequately diagnosing illnesses or disorders. They often do a less impressive job of treating those maladies which they are called upon to heal. I have been most fortunate in my lifetime to have only been personally handled a limited number of times by these individuals, and I have quickly discontinued my interaction with them. Plumbing might be a more suitable career for some of these people. Second, are the providers that are adequate, and sometimes highly skilled with the science or art of diagnosis. They are often useful and experienced in treating illness and curing diseases in patients. But their skills and ability are limited; they are only capable of identifying and healing illness. I turn away from these providers in short order. I have not liked them much. Third, are those caregivers who are just what the word implies, they are actual caregivers. They possess the ability to identify disease correctly and with a high degree of accuracy. They are skilled in the treatments that they apply. But they have the capacity to treat people. Skills and intelligence are highly crucial in healthcare professions. True healers possess compassion and do not hesitate to provide their patients with an abundance of kindness and caring. Again, they treat people, not just illness. These are the providers that I seek out, and I am grateful for their skills and their compassion. During the lengthy illness, spinal cord cancer, that my late wife, Lorene, experienced we most certainly encountered all three types of these providers. I was saddened by the poor quality of care that occurred in some situations. I could not understand having excellent skills and not an ounce of bedside manner. But I relished the attention and care given by those who knew how to treat people. Those providers had a positive impact on my wife’s dealing with her pain and death. They were also able to treat me as well; they reminded me of what is truly most important in life; to love and care.
ADD A COMMENT