A Sozo Health Ministry update from John Rich:
Words cannot always fully express an experience. I often find it difficult to articulate what the Sozo Health Ministry does and how that work can be transformative, both for clients and for healthcare professionals. Bear with me:
In October of 2021, the Sozo Health Ministry began a collaboration with the Deaconess Family Medicine Residency program. Doctors in the program come to Patchwork one morning as part of a rotation through multiple community service organizations. While here, they talk with our guests, answer medical questions, help dispense free over-the-counter health supplies, take blood pressure readings, and occasionally help dress a minor wound or deal with an urgent situation if one happens to occur.
I always explain to these doctors that the Sozo Health Ministry also advocates for our guests in the healthcare system, making phone calls on behalf of patients and even driving them to appointments ourselves and accompanying them into the appointment so we can take notes, ask questions, and advocate for the patient in person. Unfortunately, the doctors do not get to see that part of the Health Ministry first-hand.
Recently, though, one of the residents was able to see the full picture. Dr. Sanders (not her real name) came in for a typical rotation at Patchwork. She took blood pressures, talked with guests, and even helped serve some coffee and pastries through the kitchen window. It was a good morning and at the end of it we said, “Good bye,” not necessarily expecting to see each other again soon.
Then, just a couple of weeks later, someone came into Patchwork who needed a Primary Care Provider. I helped him call the Deaconess Family Medicine Clinic and got an appointment in about a week. On the day of the appointment, I went to pick up the client and could tell immediately that something was wrong. His skin was pale. His gait was shaky and he almost fell down a few times. When he got into the car, he told me that he had been vomiting for the last 2 days.
I asked him if he wanted to keep the appointment or just go straight to the Emergency Room. The client said he still wanted to keep the doctor’s appointment and maybe he wouldn’t need the ER. We drove off toward the clinic.
At the appointment, sure enough, it was Dr. Sanders who walked through the door. The appointment went well. Dr. Sanders was thorough and compassionate. I did my usual—taking notes, asking questions, and advocating for the patient. Dr. Sanders said she wanted the patient to go to the hospital. I told her I could take him and continue to advocate for him there. A look of sudden recognition crossed her face–an “Aha!” moment, I think. As we left the exam room, I walked beside the patient to keep him steady. I heard Dr. Sanders’ voice behind me, “I’m really glad he has you.”
I took the patient to the Emergency Room and stayed with him long enough to relay to the ER staff what was going on and what the Primary Care doctor hoped they would do for him. The ER doctor put in those exact orders and the staff started on them right away. I kept the patient company until his significant other arrived.
I may be imagining things, but I think that look on Dr. Sanders’ face back in the exam room said that she understood now, in a way she couldn’t before, how this is all connected: the welcoming atmosphere of Patchwork that puts people at ease and helps them open up when talking about their health issues, the free over-the-counter supplies and blood pressure checks, the staff who listen attentively to guests’ stories and then become their healthcare advocates, who develop relationships with and accompany them to appointments, not just for logistical support but also emotional and spiritual support. It can be a scary thing to go to these appointments, tests, and especially ER visits. The Sozo Health Ministry goes with people so they don’t have to do it alone and don’t have to be quite as scared.
When Dr. Sanders came through Patchwork on the usual rotation, I had explained to her everything else we did—the advocacy, accompaniment, etc. My explanation obviously did not convey the full meaning and impact of what the Sozo Health Ministry does. Words cannot always completely express an experience. Sometimes, you just have to see it in action for yourself.