Dr. Paul Draper, an anesthesiologist at Richmond Hospital, was recently awarded a People First Award for the extraordinary degree of care and compassion he demonstrated in working with a patient shared in common with a fellow physician. Following is an excerpt from the physician’s letter:
I am writing to you to offer my highest commendation for a member of your medical staff, Dr. Paul Draper.
I am a psychiatrist in private practice and I provide specialized treatments for patients who suffer from anxiety disorders and major depression. I share a patient in common with Dr. Draper. This patient is complex and difficult to treat and the presentation includes a severe phobia regarding surgery.
I understand that Dr. Draper first met this patient several years ago during a pre-operative anesthesia consultation and noticed this person’s extreme level of distress regarding upcoming major surgery. At that time Dr. Draper provided exemplary care (in a very efficient manner) that went far outside of the realm of mere accommodation of the phobia. This patient shared with me examples that illustrated the remarkable degree of Dr. Draper’s care and compassion.
Recently this patient has had to arrange additional surgical intervention and contacted Dr. Draper for assistance. Dr. Draper has been efficient, thorough, and attentive in working with me to ensure that as much as possible is done to ease my patient’s suffering. The care he has exhibited has been extraordinary. I have been tremendously impressed and actually touched by the degree of Dr. Draper’s concern for our mutual patient’s well-being. He has initiated and coordinated very sensitive, appropriate, and thorough arrangements for the provision of care.
From a psychiatric standpoint the outcome has been very effective and there has been an enhanced surgical outcome, as well. I imagine it is exceedingly rare for an anesthesiologist to go to such lengths in the context of providing service in the OR. Of course I recognize the fact that disorders like phobias complicate the provision of care within an already strained clinical system. I understand the frustration this can create. At the same time, my patients are some of the most vulnerable members of our society and NONE of them have asked to struggle under such burdens. To see one of these patients treated in such a sensitive, kind attentive, and ultimately effective manner reflects very well upon Dr. Draper and your hospital.