Celebrating 100 Years of Trust

Trust. It’s such a simple word, but it’s the very foundation of any kind of relationship, and never more so than the relationship between a patient and a physician. When you come to your doctor, you’re often at your most vulnerable. You may not be feeling well. You may have symptoms that you’re not used to discussing. You may be worried. But to get the best care, you have to be open, forthright and perhaps share very sensitive information. You also have to feel comfortable asking questions. 

This can only happen when you have a trusting relationship with your doctor. In a trusting relationship, you know that you will be heard. That you will not be judged. That you will be treated with respect. And that your doctor will do everything possible to help you heal.

This relationship is important regardless of the medical specialty, but it is particularly needed in obstetrics and gynecology. After practicing obstetrics and gynecology in the Orlando area for more than 25 years, I understand the value of consciously creating a trusting doctor-patient relationship. 

Everyone is busy, but when your doctor is interacting with you, time needs to slow down. It can be something as simple as sitting down and talking. Although we need to take notes on the conversation, we as physicians also need to make eye contact, ask questions and give space for the answers. These are the times when we can have extensive discussions, often addressing preconceived ideas and overcoming obstacles that might otherwise interfere with effective treatment. 

Although we as doctors like to think we have all of the answers, we don’t. To admit that isn’t a weakness, but a strength, particularly when that leads us to find another resource that does have the answer. Even referring you to another doctor can be preferable, if that doctor provides a better fit. All of these actions help establish a trusting patient-doctor relationship.

For more than 100 years, Orlando Health has created a strong sense of trust with its patients and the community. With the ongoing honest behavior, hard work and genuine sense of caring demonstrated by our entire team, Orlando Health has become a trusted entity in the community, one that we can all be proud of.