I’ve worked in healthcare for over three decades.  I’ve always respected the professional boundaries between providers and patients.  There are plentiful reasons for their necessity.  But so are patient and provider relationships.  As in all relationships, provider patient ones change, evolve, are fluid.  The patient needs of today will be different tomorrow, or the next day, or the next day.   Every healthcare organization I have worked for or with has some element in their mission statement testifying that there existence is to “meet the healthcare needs of the community”.   Yes, sometimes those needs are beyond the capabilities of an organization or individual and have to be met by someone else but if the mission is fully realized the patient will be the leader.  They will lead the organization, the doctor, the nurse, the CEO, the development officer, and if you invite the dialogue they will tell their needs of today and be more likely to tell you again tomorrow.  One guarantee – listening will not settle you, it will challenge you out of your comfort zone.

Caring for Ms. L. — Overcoming My Fear of Treating Opioid Use Disorder

Audrey M. Provenzano, M.D., M.P.H