What inspired you to join Sollis?
As an Emergency Physician, there is an extraordinary amount of pressure to see patients as fast as you can in order to turn over the exam rooms as quickly as possible. As a result, a number of clinical studies have shown that most patients don’t have any idea what tests were performed in the Emergency Department, the results of those tests, or are even aware of what their diagnoses mean or how to best care for themselves. Sollis is the opposite. At Sollis, we don’t rush our physicians, and we set an expectation that our members will have as much time as they need with their physician and will leave the clinic fully understanding their test results and the next steps they need to take to get better. Sollis also offers a whole team dedicated to making sure that after diagnosis in the clinic, the members get the follow up care they need and are available for any further questions. It is a privilege to work for a company that gives their providers the time and tools they need to offer the best ER care in the country.How does it feel to help someone with a chronic condition by diagnosing them and getting them treatment? Conversely, what is it like if you have trouble pinpointing the root of an issue?
Chronic conditions can take a long time to diagnose and often require multiple trips to the physician’s office or ER before a clear diagnosis is made. This is incredibly frustrating to patients who know that something is wrong but feel they are not being taken seriously. At Sollis, our value as ER physicians is that we have the time to listen to the member’s story and help guide them towards the next step. I try to give members a road map to help them understand it may take several different specialists, appointments, or tests to get to the root of the problem—but there will be an answer. Sollis also has the benefit of offering virtual visits and care coordination so the member can feel they are not on this journey alone.“Working in the ER, we see a side of humanity most people hide. Dealing with a health condition that may never go away requires strength and self reflection, and those qualities should be celebrated, not stigmatized.”
In what ways can Sollis help people who are struggling with a chronic condition?
Even when perfectly managed, chronic conditions will often end up in the emergency room. For example, members who have severe migraines may be able to manage 95% of them at home in conjunction with their primary doctor or neurologist, but there are times when home management will not be enough. Knowing you are going to a Sollis Emergency Room—that will see you right away, is aware of your treatment plans with your specialists, and will coordinate ongoing care—will help prevent the condition from worsening.What about people who don’t have access to Sollis? How can they best advocate for themselves, especially in an emergency room?
The best thing anyone can do when going to an Emergency Department is to bring a friend or family member to advocate for you. When you are sick, it is hard to know the right questions to ask and often patients are distracted by fear or pain. If you have an advocate with you, they can help guide the conversation with the doctor, make sure all your questions are answered, and allow you to focus on getting better.As someone who’s constantly talking to patients, what is music to your ears in terms of the way they communicate what they’re experiencing? What’s the most effective language they should use, should they bring journal entries, etc?
Patients will get the best care when they are completely transparent about their health. I had a 23-year-old who presented to the Emergency Department with stomach pain. She had been to multiple Emergency Departments over the past few years with the same complaint. After examining her and listening to her story, we eventually got to the root of the problem: she sheepishly admitted she liked to eat the hair off her hair brushes and she was terrified she was going to develop a blockage that would kill her. Although this was hard for her to admit, it is actually a common problem and one that we were equipped to help her with. I was able to call a gastroenterologist and we were able to remove the hair, and even more importantly why she had this urge to eat hair. It was hard for her to be honest with me but if she had not been transparent, it would have been another trip to the Emergency Department without any answers.“The best thing anyone can do when going to an Emergency Department is to bring a friend or family member to advocate for you. Often patients are distracted by fear or pain. If you have an advocate with you, they can help guide the conversation with the doctor.”
