When treating a patient, no matter their diagnosis, a doctor learns about the patient, but also their family and friends. Dr. Nick Avgeropoulos, from Orlando Health, wants to know the answers to many questions, so that he feels he can properly treat his patients and be more than just a doctor to them, but also a friend.
- Where do they live?
- How do they get here?
- Do they have insurance?
- Who loves them?
- Who is there for them?
- What happens in an emergent situation? Who will be there for them and speak for them?
Every visit, Dr. Avgeropoulos learns more about these answers and his patients so he can treat them in the best way. With these answers, he can ask more questions that could be abstract, but are important to know and allows him to introduce other support resources.
Many hospitals and organizations offer support resources and some can be found here from our partner institutions.