Dedicated team offers confidence to survivor of life-threatening illness:
Convenient appointments, modern facilities and attentive staff help put patient’s mind at ease
When Wishart Robson moved from Alberta in 2015, he had trouble finding a family doctor who was accepting new patients. When he finally found one, the 67-year-old oil and gas consultant was given a clean bill of health with no need for follow-up.
In July 2017, everything changed for Robson; he was in medical distress in the emergency room of Lions Gate Hospital in North Vancouver, BC. The diagnosis was a bilateral pulmonary embolism – or blood clots – present in both of his lungs. He was stabilized, prescribed blood thinners and discharged with instructions to follow up with his family physician. Unfortunately, his new doctor was away on holiday and he was unable to book in with anyone else for almost a week. Frustrated, Robson decided to seek out alternative care.
A combination of his own research and a glowing recommendation from a friend led Robson to contact Copeman Healthcare.
“I was in their Vancouver clinic and able to see someone the very next day,” he recalls. “My health was suddenly being treated like a priority... they listened to my concerns, and they had me undergoing tests and lab work right away.”
Robson was assigned a dedicated team of medical professionals – comprised of a family physician, family health nurse, dietitian and a kinesiologist. His Copeman team implemented a collaborative approach designed to address Robson’s existing diagnosis, as well as proactively identify any other potential health concerns. From there, the team developed a personalized care plan that was tailored to fit Robson’s busy lifestyle.
“Initially, in the ER, I was prescribed a blood thinner and told I’d just have to take it easy until I met with a haematologist in four to six months,” explains Robson. “I felt a bit abandoned. I had two major out-of-town work meetings and a family trip to the Grand Canyon coming up, so I couldn’t just put my life on hold. Since joining Copeman, thanks to the attentive care I’ve received, I’ve been able to address my health and still go out and live my life.”
Dr. Pavel Glaze, Robson’s family physician at Copeman, agrees that the time between receiving initial acute care and getting in to see a specialist can be very taxing on patients.
“It’s the transition period that can be stressful on patients,” explains Dr. Glaze. “They are looking for some peace of mind during a time that’s traditionally marked by unease. That’s where the Copeman model is designed to go above and beyond. We addressed all of Wishart’s questions and carefully assessed every aspect of his general health. In fact, during our initial exams, we discovered that he also had a first-degree heart block.”
Fortunately for Robson, having his own team of professionals by his side gives him the confidence that his health is in good hands. “Regular appointments are crucial for monitoring all aspects of a client’s health – such as blood pressure and kidney function. It means that we’re always keeping on top of things and facilitating trust and communication,” explains Dr. Glaze.
As far as Robson is concerned, having regular check-ups is something that he’s more than happy to do, even with the commute from his Vancouver Island home.
“I’ve been extremely impressed with the care I’ve received from Copeman right from the get-go,” he says. “Appointments are convenient, the facilities are modern and comfortable and the entire staff is always helpful and attentive. From the receptionists to the physicians, everyone seems to be invested in my well-being.”
“I’ve been extremely impressed with the care I’ve received from Copeman right from the get-go,”