by Saja Weart
Encourage • verb (used with object), en·cour·aged, en·cour·ag·ing
- to inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence:
- to stimulate by assistance, approval, etc.:
- to promote, advance, or foster
Hi, my name is Sanja, and I am the Patient Care Coordinator at Advance Therapy. This is my official title. However, a lot of what I do is strongly connected to the meaning and action that comes from word encourage.
In my job duties, yes, paperwork is important. Yes, scheduling is important, and so is insurance information, but the most essential role I play at Advance Therapy is to encourage our patients when they feel down. Being the first one patients say hello to and being a good judge of language and manner of conversation, I can often detect the feelings and moods of our patients. There is a lot of displeasure, shame, or even shyness connected to being in pain. Hurting patients may feel inadequate at times and this can affect their recovery efforts.
This feeling is all too familiar for me due to my own struggle with physical ailments. As Patient Care Coordinator, I have the perfect opportunity to help address daily struggles with aches and pains in a non-medical way, by offering a kind word, conversation, or a joke to help lighten the mood. This small act of encouragement often provides for a simple “reset” of sorts for our patients before they begin their daily therapy.
Encouragement Helps Patient Recovery
Most of our patients are not only struggling with pain or mobility issues, but also with everyday stress of life. My job would be only half as fulfilling if I did not take the opportunity to offer empathy and understanding. I offer it gladly and with pleasure simply because I can. Because consistency in therapy is very important, I feel I can really contribute to a patient’s successful recovery by cheering them on during their tough days, weeks, and sometimes months, until they reach their full recovery potential.
Be encouraged. Things will improve and I’m glad you’re here!
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