When considering the way medicine is practiced in the 21st century, one can’t get too far into the topic without mentioning the time spent with each patient. How would I feel if I was in the patient’s place at the hospital knowing what I know now and all the work that one patient entails? It’s a challenging topic of conversation because on one end if I was the patient, I would want the best possible use of the time with the practitioner but on the other hand, I would also like to feel like the practitioner truly cares about me as a human. I understand that we as practitioners only have a minimal amount of time that we can spend with patients but sometimes that extra minute can truly make an impact for that patient. Knowing a little extra about your patient will help make that human connection with your patient, that connection that us as humans crave, especially in times of illness and heartache. Honestly, sometimes focusing a little less on the history of present illness might get you answers to questions that you wouldn’t have even thought to ask. Maybe you can attempt to put yourself in the patient’s shoes and see the history of the present illness from a different perspective.
Patients are scared, worried, and concerned when they visit us at the hospital. Their health concern might be the reason why they are there, but their health concern might only be a part of their puzzle. Empathy towards the patient should be a part of the history of present illness. You don’t know what other troubles are in a person’s mind when they come into the hospital. We attempt to heal the physical problem, but what about the problems associated with the physical problem that the mind is simultaneously dealing with? Separating mind and body in any illness is negating a portion of the healing process. I know that I make a conscious effort personally, every time that I see a patient. I like to know that I tried my best to make that human connection, hopefully maybe even have the patient crack a smile even if it’s only for a few seconds. I left a 13-year firefighter/paramedic career to chase this dream, I knew that dropping that patient off in the emergency room wasn’t where my story ended as a medical provider. I used to dream of being on the other end of the stretcher receiving report about the patient that I was dropped off at the emergency room. I knew that could do more for my patients, I had more in me to serve humanity, I chose to be selfless. I am honored and blessed to be in a position where my empathy, skills, talent, imagination, and knowledge can all be put to use to help heal every patient that I interact with. I challenge you if you are a practitioner to look in the mirror and ask yourself the tough question about your interactions with patients. Can you be better? Do you want to be better? If you are the patient, I challenge you to help your practitioner by reminding them of the reason of why then chose such a selfless career.
Head up, Eyes Forward!
