Hospital experiences
Sir, – Regarding “Being a ‘hospitalist’ after the big physicians’ strike” (3rd Opinion, June 22), Gabi Barbash is in principle correct in that SHARAP, or private medicine, is the best of a bad list of alternatives.
As a member of the Israeli public I have dealt with both private and public sector health care. Many of the senior doctors are dedicated and struggling to meet the obligations to both their private patients and their hospitals. They are highly skilled and deserve a decent salary.
However, during visits to public hospitals, including the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, I have met with lack of consideration and respect for the patient, and sloppy diagnoses. I do not have one friend without a similar story.
Barbash needs to instill in his staff the feeling that the patient is of primary importance during work time, and that the bitterness these staff members feel should not be made apparent. This is not an issue of money, and until this change takes place, few will support his initiative.
If Barbash wants support he needs to reduce public anger by putting a maximum effort into making sure that the public – without consideration of race, sex, gender or religion – is treated with dignity. If he implements a program of zero tolerance to rudeness, callousness and inefficiency he will win the hearts of the public and be able to obtain support for his plan. RUTH ROTMAN
Jerusalem
Sir, – Patients and families are at their worst coming into a hospital. There is danger, pain, uncertainty and overwhelming fear. Overworked and understaffed, nurses and doctors confront these suffering patients.
Over the years I have accompanied my ailing husband on several hospital stays. Praise is due for the dedicated and concerned care he has received. The disturbing part is that only a minority of the attending doctors and nurses have been compassionate and accessible, clearly addressing families as equal partners in the patient’s recovery.
I have often been greeted with impatience and indifference. Overworked doctors are elusive and distant. The patient hangs in limbo because the family physician, who best knows the patient, is disconnected from hospital procedures.
I feel that much of the violence in hospitals is a terrified, helpless response to poor interpersonal communications with members of the staff. Something is missing in human relations training for medical personnel. JO MILGROM
Jerusalem