I love this so much. I am an Internal Medicine Hospitalist doing "Visa service" to eventually pursue Cardiac Electrophysiology but, I absolutely love mental health, and establishing a strong connection with my patients as much as possible.
I have saved little gifts and letters of gratitude from some of my patients, and those little gestures of appreciation really help me to give the "extra" even during long days. I even have a book gifted to me by a sweet elderly couple where they wrote their "life story and marriage", I loved it.
Thanks to everyone here who shares the humanistic side of medicine, the most beautiful side of it, in my opinion. Thank you all.
As an ophthalmologist, one of my most difficult task is telling parents about their child’s congenital, incurable and vision-limiting eye condition. However, I encourage the parents to not be pessimistic but to encourage the child to develop his/her fullest capacity and dreams, because children have abundant ability to adjust and grow with their challenges and live amazing lives. I always give examples of my many patients with poor vision who, despite or because of having to work harder than their peers, graduate at the top of their classes to become lawyers and doctors, or are professional musicians, chefs, monks and priests. Dr Faruqi exemplifies how his personal medical challenges have given him more motivation and empathy as a doctor.
After retiring, I muse that the only things I miss are the people I worked with. And a few of the patients. For the same reason, because I was part of their lives, as they were in mine. Remember that, when someone inevitably tells you not to be friends with your patients.
As a physician who has has 3 loved ones…father, mother and wife of over 40 yrs pass on due to none working chemo…and the negative effects from such…I have become very negative about their ability to provide a positive benefit. sure the cell type are important to potential longevity…but as with my father and wife…the drugs used…one after the other provided zero benefit but with negative marrow whip out(father)…with my wife only at the very end was a older oral 5FU begun with very positive results but too late. The extended time used for very high tech expensive drugs…for 3! different types…near a YEAR of zero benefit allowed cancer mets which ultimately did her in…the brain mets did her in…update in the brain on bone scan was never followed up!! I hope I die from something other than cancer…my faith in an oncologist benefit is quite non-trusting.
I have to say that taking our sons (both serious medical issues) to the specialist or even the peds dentist was so much more productive than the adult doctors we've gone too. Yes, it's not for everyone to becomee a Peds doctor/dentist but they have a way of making you feel like they really care about the issues that you are facing and take their time to explain things.
Thank you. Those words and stories has directed me back to how the first engagement I have with my patients. I do a pretty good job handing those first meetings, but because of your words I can see how I can change and add to that first encounter and those coming afterwards. Wow, thank you.
Nice essay; you are headed into the right field. The interventional radiologist at the teaching hospital spent a lot of time explaining about the IVC filter (a basket-like device that catches blood clots from the legs from going to the heart or lungs) that was about to be installed into my husband. He had two students with him, and at the end, I asked them "What would you do if this was your dad?" At the end of the day, every patient is someone's family.
Too bad we all lost that bond. You betrayed us with covid and lives will never be the same. I would rather go to a spiritual shaman than step foot in an ED.
I remember talking with a physician when my husband was hospitalized with what turned out to be advanced multiple-organ metastases of a long-standing undiagnosed cancer. I told the doctor that we did not want to focus all our energy on a useless rear-guard action, and he replied, "Most people don't say that. I will warn you, if those are your concerns, oncologists are the worst." My husband trusted his oncologist, but his trust was misplaced, from my perspective. The doctor's idea of palliative care was to ensure the best medicines were applied--including pain and nausea meds, which he was very good about--but facing death was not his thing. There is a time to say, "I don't think we can beat this--what are your highest priorities given that you probably don't have a lot of time left?" My husband's oncologist steadily refused to open or entertain that line of thought, so my husband lived what turned out to be his final 8 weeks in a chemo-induced fog, without realizing that he was dying anyway. I respect your colleague who years ago gently but honestly helped Mr. S to transition to a new understanding of his situation.
I am so sorry to hear this. I recall watching a documentary and it reported if you live within 100 miles (I am recalling that probably incorrectly) that you live longer and in more pain and suffering because of teaching hospitals. The idea being we have to teach future docs etc to save lives, even if saving them isn't in the best interest of the patient and family. The other comment that stuck with me was how America does not have a healthy relationship with death. It seems this author, maybe as a result of her own diagnosis and dealing with it, has a healthy relationship with well if not cure, then what. And wat a gift to bring to patients. We are all going to meet our end one day. I would like it to be with dignity, peace, calm, choice and support. Again I wish your experience had been different. That must have been and still is tough. Sending you a big hug.
After 42 years of practice as a family physician, the most precious thing a patient could give me was their trust. I considered it my deepest honor to receive their trust and tried, always to live up to that trust. This I did by making every effort to treat them as I would want to be treated myself. It never ceased to amaze me how much easier, on innumerable levels, it made my face to face time with my patients and how much more effective it made me as a physician.
I love this so much. I am an Internal Medicine Hospitalist doing "Visa service" to eventually pursue Cardiac Electrophysiology but, I absolutely love mental health, and establishing a strong connection with my patients as much as possible.
I have saved little gifts and letters of gratitude from some of my patients, and those little gestures of appreciation really help me to give the "extra" even during long days. I even have a book gifted to me by a sweet elderly couple where they wrote their "life story and marriage", I loved it.
Thanks to everyone here who shares the humanistic side of medicine, the most beautiful side of it, in my opinion. Thank you all.
As an ophthalmologist, one of my most difficult task is telling parents about their child’s congenital, incurable and vision-limiting eye condition. However, I encourage the parents to not be pessimistic but to encourage the child to develop his/her fullest capacity and dreams, because children have abundant ability to adjust and grow with their challenges and live amazing lives. I always give examples of my many patients with poor vision who, despite or because of having to work harder than their peers, graduate at the top of their classes to become lawyers and doctors, or are professional musicians, chefs, monks and priests. Dr Faruqi exemplifies how his personal medical challenges have given him more motivation and empathy as a doctor.
After retiring, I muse that the only things I miss are the people I worked with. And a few of the patients. For the same reason, because I was part of their lives, as they were in mine. Remember that, when someone inevitably tells you not to be friends with your patients.
As a physician who has has 3 loved ones…father, mother and wife of over 40 yrs pass on due to none working chemo…and the negative effects from such…I have become very negative about their ability to provide a positive benefit. sure the cell type are important to potential longevity…but as with my father and wife…the drugs used…one after the other provided zero benefit but with negative marrow whip out(father)…with my wife only at the very end was a older oral 5FU begun with very positive results but too late. The extended time used for very high tech expensive drugs…for 3! different types…near a YEAR of zero benefit allowed cancer mets which ultimately did her in…the brain mets did her in…update in the brain on bone scan was never followed up!! I hope I die from something other than cancer…my faith in an oncologist benefit is quite non-trusting.
I am so sorry. I worked in hospice thus have seen more of this than I liked. Peace and prayers to you and your family.
I have to say that taking our sons (both serious medical issues) to the specialist or even the peds dentist was so much more productive than the adult doctors we've gone too. Yes, it's not for everyone to becomee a Peds doctor/dentist but they have a way of making you feel like they really care about the issues that you are facing and take their time to explain things.
I’m grateful you are training to be a physician. Your humility and wisdom are rare in a younger person. Thank you for writing this beautiful essay.
Thank you. Those words and stories has directed me back to how the first engagement I have with my patients. I do a pretty good job handing those first meetings, but because of your words I can see how I can change and add to that first encounter and those coming afterwards. Wow, thank you.
Nice essay; you are headed into the right field. The interventional radiologist at the teaching hospital spent a lot of time explaining about the IVC filter (a basket-like device that catches blood clots from the legs from going to the heart or lungs) that was about to be installed into my husband. He had two students with him, and at the end, I asked them "What would you do if this was your dad?" At the end of the day, every patient is someone's family.
Well-said... "At the end of the day, every patient is someone's family."
Too bad we all lost that bond. You betrayed us with covid and lives will never be the same. I would rather go to a spiritual shaman than step foot in an ED.
I remember talking with a physician when my husband was hospitalized with what turned out to be advanced multiple-organ metastases of a long-standing undiagnosed cancer. I told the doctor that we did not want to focus all our energy on a useless rear-guard action, and he replied, "Most people don't say that. I will warn you, if those are your concerns, oncologists are the worst." My husband trusted his oncologist, but his trust was misplaced, from my perspective. The doctor's idea of palliative care was to ensure the best medicines were applied--including pain and nausea meds, which he was very good about--but facing death was not his thing. There is a time to say, "I don't think we can beat this--what are your highest priorities given that you probably don't have a lot of time left?" My husband's oncologist steadily refused to open or entertain that line of thought, so my husband lived what turned out to be his final 8 weeks in a chemo-induced fog, without realizing that he was dying anyway. I respect your colleague who years ago gently but honestly helped Mr. S to transition to a new understanding of his situation.
I am so sorry for your loss. I hope your story helps me to always consider what’s important for the patient.
I am so sorry to hear this. I recall watching a documentary and it reported if you live within 100 miles (I am recalling that probably incorrectly) that you live longer and in more pain and suffering because of teaching hospitals. The idea being we have to teach future docs etc to save lives, even if saving them isn't in the best interest of the patient and family. The other comment that stuck with me was how America does not have a healthy relationship with death. It seems this author, maybe as a result of her own diagnosis and dealing with it, has a healthy relationship with well if not cure, then what. And wat a gift to bring to patients. We are all going to meet our end one day. I would like it to be with dignity, peace, calm, choice and support. Again I wish your experience had been different. That must have been and still is tough. Sending you a big hug.
Thank you doctor for your vocation & compassion.
After 42 years of practice as a family physician, the most precious thing a patient could give me was their trust. I considered it my deepest honor to receive their trust and tried, always to live up to that trust. This I did by making every effort to treat them as I would want to be treated myself. It never ceased to amaze me how much easier, on innumerable levels, it made my face to face time with my patients and how much more effective it made me as a physician.
Thank you for sharing. Your outlook and perception are uplifting.
As the old saying goes, "'To cure sometimes, to relieve often, and to comfort always."