The power of health care providers

Dermatology Nursing, August, 2008 by Karrie M. Fairbrother

Summer is slipping by! The living has not been easy for me. A quick turn while putting a weighty bag overhead on the airplane caused me a herniated disc. Besides the pain,

I am experiencing frustration and I am impatient to heal. The only positive outcome is I will now know what my patients mean by neuropathy and will forever be more empathetic.

The very painful emergency that took me to the orthopedic care center left me with few coping skills. All of a sudden, I was a patient, not an experienced RN. Pain can truly block one's capability! In the capacity as the "patient," I needed to feel secure and understand the requirements to feel better and heal. During my treatment, the physician was terrific, but most staff members did not say who they were and what they did in the clinic. It was a barrier for okay care to move to good or great care. It made me aware once more of how important it is for all care providers to let patients know who they are and what they do! What may be obvious to someone working in his or her usual job is not clear if you are new patient, or worse, one who is in pain. It would have been wonderful if everyone introduced him or herself and said this is who I am on the team! This medical visit also reminded me of our "power." By power, I mean our ability as care providers to "make" or pardon my pun, "break" the visit.

Summer Meeting Connections

On a much happier note, DNA's 4th Summer Meeting at the Hilton Chicago was very successful! Our varied program allowed seasoned DNA members and many new attendees the ability to have a packed educational venue. The feedback from participants was fabulous. The hotel, located in the center of Chicago's Michigan Avenue, provided access to lovely gardens, museums, and restaurants. One of the most important parts of this meeting was our opportunity to connect with one another. We often develop relationships with peers that become lasting friendships! Without our common DNA link, our worlds would be much smaller and less rewarding.

My best regards to all DNA members and staff who worked to produce a Summer Meeting that helped all involved meet their personal education goals as well as gain from the positive experience while working and learning from peers. We are also grateful for our industry support. We would not have this splendid educational meeting without the generous support of Amgen/Wyeth, Centocor Inc, Eisai Inc, Genentech, Graceway Pharmaceuticals LLC, Intendis, Medicis, Ranbaxy Laboratories, Stiefel Laboratories, and Healthy Aging!

We are deep in plans for our future Annual Convention in early March 2009. Greg Mortenson, an ER nurse by training and a school builder, is the author of 3 Cups of Tea. Greg will be with us in San Francisco as our keynote speaker. His story will amaze and inspire us. Details about his visit and book will be on the Web site shortly.

My personal favorite moments during the Summer Meeting were when I was asked by individuals what they could do to spread skin cancer education information in their communities, or when participants asked how they could volunteer for the DNA. Please email of call me or other board members to continue this conversation so we may connect your interests to projects!

Many members are already spending some of their summer teaching formally and informally in their communities about skin cancer prevention and early detection, as well as other dermatology-related topics. Please send me your comments so we can share them. I know you are making a difference! Thank you!

Karrie Fairbrother, BSN, RN, CDE, DNC

DNA President