Assumptions Can Mislead

Psychiatric nursing practitioner Dye offers an investigation and explanation of the ideas of the late researcher and theorist Ida Orlando.

Few people outside the nursing profession have likely heard of Orlando, who promoted a systematic approach to health care centered on the idea that medical workers should truly listen to their patients’ stories and verify accurate treatment protocols instead of making assumptions. The author, a close friend of Orlando’s as well as her former student and colleague, presents a book of stories about “people of all ages in a wide variety of situations in health care and elsewhere” that demonstrate the power and accuracy of Orlando’s ideas. These concepts seem quite simple (“the person in the situation needs to stay in the moment and follow what occurs”), but in practice, they require a great deal of presence of mind. This collection of telling anecdotes reveals how Orlando’s theory offers solid solutions for dilemmas that might otherwise be difficult to solve speedily and efficiently. Unfortunately, many medical professionals rely on predetermined notions rather than closely attending to patients’ stories, which can lead to inaccurate or missed misdiagnoses. These narratives, mostly written in a clear, succinct style, reveal how applying Orlando’s approach can be exceptionally effective not only in the health care arena, but in other areas of professional engagement and everyday life. Unfortunately, the book’s title doesn’t support its rich and lively content. Does the book seek to serve as a textbook, a self-help book, or a detailed defense and explanation of the Orlando process? It supports all these purposes, but the author doesn’t ever clarify an exact direction for these frequently fascinating ministories.

An often interesting exposition of the health care methods of a gifted practitioner by her seasoned student and colleague.