This letter is written in response to the Aug. 10 article, "Mayo Clinic names Noseworthy’s successor." While I agree that physicians have had and do have a huge impact on patient care here in Rochester, I would like to mention that there are many other types of professionals that play just as important roles in impacting patient care and outcomes at Mayo.
Where would Mayo physicians be in patient care without nursing, respiratory therapy, dietary, housekeeping, groundskeepers, etc.? They would have to be there 24 hours a day and would be sunk. Noseworthy states that physicians understand the needs of patients, including the science and educational side of things. I would like to add that nursing adds a three-dimensional view of patient care, being well-rounded and holistic in nature.
Physicians recognize some of the needs of patients, but not all of them.
Karla Mees,Rochester
