Editor’s Note: This account describes a joyous way to approach patient care as well as an innovative way to bring a long surgical practice to a close.
“Throughout my residency and career, patients have always been thankful for their care and the fact that I listened to them. Maybe that was why I was never sued.”
One long-term patient comes to mind. He and I were around the same age. I saw him many times in the office due to occupational overuse and injury problems. I operated on him three times.
He came back into the office after a gap of several years. In the interim, he had undergone a total ankle arthroplasty which, sadly, became infected. The complaints he presented with were arthritis-like symptoms in multiple body parts. I worked him up for a spondyloarthropathy but the results were negative. I then sent him to see a rheumatologist after deformities developed in his hands. His knee also required repeated aspirations to keep him comfortable.
On a follow-up visit he said, “I think I have hemochromatosis.” Knowing our mutual age, I said “That’s impossible, you’d be dead by now.” By now you can guess that the patient was right. He had been adopted so no family history of his inherited disorder was available. Also, prior to his infection he had donated blood monthly out of generosity. This prevented the iron deposition in his organs. When he developed his infected arthroplasty, he had to stop his donations and eventually became symptomatic.
A work-up confirmed his diagnosis. Treatment began but the deformities and some of the pain did not resolve. I continued to see him for joint swelling. As he neared age 65, he asked me “You’re not going to retire on me, are you? If you are, have a party and invite all your favorite patients, like me!” When it came time for me to close out my orthopaedic practice, he had himself scheduled to be my final patient.
And, yes, we had a party. I invited 75 patients who came to mind. He assured me that because they all had similar types of injuries and were attending voluntarily, this would not be considered a HIPPA violation. Around 60 patients were able to attend. We had a marvelous time. Through their conversations at the party, many of the patients realized how much they had in common with each other. I gave a speech calling out the activities associated with their injuries, and many raised their hands. It was a joyous event for all! This underscored the philosophy I had lived by; during treatment of patients, you can get to know them and even develop friendships. I was rewarded over the years when these “friends” brought family members in to see me. I was greatly honored with their attendance at my retirement party. I am hopeful that they left with the same joy I had experienced. My experience counters the notion articulated to me by a medical student who said, “specialists can’t develop relationships with their patients!”