''Thank you'', Mr S. replied to the consultant in charge as he started to recover from a debilitating neurological condition. I could see satisfaction and relief in his eyes and so did the consultant who looked at me with the following words ''this is what makes this job so worthwhile''. The consultant was not the tzar in managing such a condition, but he listened carefully to his patient, and he treated him with respect, dignity and kindness. He 'helped' him by providing a good service.
As medical students, sometimes we become so focused on passing exams and reading textbooks that we lose sight of what motivated us to become physicians or surgeons in the first place. Some of us are working very hard in the lab trying to figure out a scientific problem that would embark on better understanding of disease and treatment, and others investing their weekends in the wards looking after very ill people. Why do we do that? A very kind physician once said ''remember, we are here to help people''. This is the ultimate outcome to make people feel better as they leave.
This is not a matter of controversy, but it can be hard to pay attention to the individual as a whole and stop focusing entirely on treating his/her disease only. Sometimes all it needs is a touch of kindness and listening even though if this is all you can do.
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