How To Make Healthcare Professional Appreciation Day, Everyday.

* The Mission Statement.

"Because our mission is to support and celebrate the health-care profession, we selected May 28th to focus the attention on the many unsung individuals who provide the care or work behind the scenes to make a difference in our community."

Thus was the mission statement on May 24, 2009, of the on-site training, coaching and service education providers for North American Hospitals - Custom Learning Systems Group (CLS).

* Under-Appreciated "Servants To The Public."

As admirable as this mission statement may be, I believe that those in the health-care profession are some of the most under-appreciated (in addition to teachers and other major professions that serve the public) "servants to the public."

Granted, there are valid reasons as to why some (maybe even the majority) have a "bad taste in their mouth" regarding the medical profession in general.

Medical mistakes; misdiagnoses; bad bedside manners; long waits in emergency rooms or doctor offices; lack of professionalism - just to name a few - are several factors that have influenced individuals one way or another.

Yet on the other hand, those in the medical profession are faced regularly - if not daily - with difficult patients; frivolous malpractice suits; overly demanding on-call schedules; overwhelming paperwork; difficulty in finding replacements to fill in when they want to take a vacation; and verbal and physical attacks.

It's no wonder then, that many are stressed out and suffer from compassion fatigue - which is a type of burnout experienced when physicians and others in the medical profession become tired out due to dealing with anxious, frightened people on a daily basis.

In retrospect, there are countless individuals in the medical profession that are so deserving of our admiration, respect and gratitude.

How then, can we show our appreciation beyond just the designated date - May 28th?

* Showing Your Appreciation Everyday.

More often than not, it's the little things or small considerations that mean just as much; if not more; than the grandeur things.

So what are some ways we can show our appreciation for our health-care professionals everyday?

1.) Cooperate with your health professionals and their staff.

2.) Make the most of your time with your health professional by preparing how you will explain your problems fully and concisely.

3.) Avoid calling health professionals at times outside office hours for non-emergencies.

4.) Be patient - A proper diagnosis and treatment takes time.

5.) Be cordial and professional whether you agree with what is being said or not.

6.) Address your health professional and his or her staff with decorum and respect at all times.

7.) Arrive at your appointments on time.

8.) In the event you'll be late, show common courtesy and call ahead.

9.) On occasion, present a thank you card to your health professional and his staff.

10.) Simple group gifts such as fruit baskets, or other personalized gifts can be presented to your health professional and his staff, following serous surgeries or non-evasive procedures to show your gratefulness.

11.) Even a simple thank-you at times will suffice.

Those in the health-care profession take an oath to provide the best medical care they can possibly offer you and your family. More often than not, your very life may lie in the hands of these well-trained and skilled professionals.

So don't wait for a specified date to show your gratitude, in what ever way possible, no matter how big or small, show it as often as you can.

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