Everyone from medical students to attendings have encounters with cynicism and "compassion fatigue," some more than others.
There's talk of what are "boring" cases, "interesting patients," "good traumas," and all kinds of vocabulary to describe consults.
Grey clouds of discontent hang in the air when doctors complain to each other about how long a patient waited to come to be seen for a problem. I'm not on a fast-track towards canonization, but I always have to bring up to my patient that it was good for them to come in, that they made a good decision. I try to establish some kind of firm ground for them to stand on as they enter into a confusing, complicated system with a disease process they often don't understand.
I also think about how many people out there suffer from a disease process and don't have the money or means to get care. Every patient in the hospital or ER is one less person suffering. And sometimes most of the therapy comes in the acknowledgement of a patient's fear and distress.
I remember my patients with hypertensive urgencies, acute cholecystitis, acute diverticulitis, etc and as a student saw how much a little bit of listening, explanation, and taking them seriously could help them feel better until it was time for the intervention.
The psychological aspect of medicine gets downplayed and often set aside, and we often just see doing surgery or giving medicine as the treatment.
I don't expect to be thanked by patients as helping them is my job, but many express touching gratitude when you spend extra time with them and connect with them about their children, family, and sports teams.
Remember that hospitalized patients are just like you and me, and their illness pulls them away from their normal life.
Remember that they suffer like you and me, and you'll remember why you chose medicine.
Fantastic post, and an attitude that a lot of people seem to fail to take. Good on ya :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your readership and comment!
ReplyDeleteI feel that there's always time to connect with a patient, even if you're short on time.
Sometimes when I'm very busy, I'll end the visit as best I can and tell the patient I'll come back and check on them. If you take them seriously and prove that you're there for them, they'll understand how busy you are, and they'll really appreciate that second visit.
Awesome. The hospital where I study or for that matter most I have visited, I haven't seen this kind of behaviour. Hope I won't become like them. And good to see some people still care .
ReplyDeleteDear Shorya, thanks for your readership.
ReplyDeleteMedicine can be hard on the caregiver, because you don't just interact with one person who suffers, but dozens of people who struggle with physical pain and who are grappling with the reality of their own mortality.
It's draining, and you'll be exhausted, but remember, the healing and comfort you give is what rejuvenates you. All the best.
thanx. :-)
ReplyDelete