The Kind of Doctor I want to be
Medicines and a myriad of physical and psychological therapies can offer some relief for pains and suffering BUT a doctor who can go the extra mile is far above rubies.
In 2014, Dr Ameyo Adadevoh had insisted on retaining at her place of primary work a diplomat whom she didn’t deem fit to leave the hospital.
An action for which she dearly paid with her life.
Her bravery also saved millions of Nigerians from what could have been been a catastrophic Ebola virus epidemic. That diplomat was the first case of Ebola virus disease in the country.
My first Experience with Pain caused by Disease
For a very long time, my answer to the question of why I chose medicine was that I wanted to reduce the pain and suffering that patients faced in hospitals. Now I believe that the correct sentence would be the pain and sufferings that patients face as a result of diseases and illnesses.
My earliest exposure to pain inflicted by diseases was at the age of 4. My elder brother had gotten ill and was on admission, being managed for Pneumonia.
I don’t really remember how he looked as a patient, my starkest memory of that period is my mother’s back.
She was a young lady in her mid 20s, had two kids at the time, one in the hospital, one at home. And a husband that was working out of state. That being the case, she was in between the hospital and the home. Thankfully, the distance wasn’t too much. Although the two points were near, the coming and going was so frequent that she needed a bike ride to and fro.
All I remember was her forlorn and lonesome back as she rode away on the bike from our home to the hospital, hand bag on arm, a flask in hand.
Sickness is painful not only for the patient but also for their loved ones. One cannot imagine the heartache that parents feel seeing their young ones suffer and they often may not be able to show it. They have to toughen up and appear strong and cheerful for the one being cared for.
Experiencing pain from illness as a patient with medical training
I’m still at the beginning of my medical career, anyone less than 10 years in practice is very much still a learner, that’s what I think.
And I’m glad to have had my fair share of being both a patient and a caregiver.
I have had two major surgeries that necessitated me staying in the hospital. I’ve had to take my kids to see the paediatrician. I have had to refer family and friends to specialists and accompany them for checkups and treatments to better aid them in complying with treatment plans.
The advantage of having being a patient is that I know first hand that the vulnerability and fear that patients face is real and not to be underestimated.
Being in and out of hospitals takes a toll on you. And being an inpatient can be a scare in all hospitals, whether private or government.
While there is an underlying disease process going on, one might be wary of complications that may further arise due to medical procedures carried as part of the treatment plan. There is the issue of infectious agents that may be picked up during one’s stay at a hospital. The process of getting a bloood sample, or getting a biopsy, the surgery that is done to remove a tumor, the antibiotics or other medications that need to be taken, all of these actions though carried out to offer treatment are also capable of causing additional pain.
There is really no escaping the drugdgery of disease no matter where you live.
Having being a patient as well, I’ll tell you what is worse than pain and suffering from disease?
The drudgery and bureaucracy seen in healthcare. The treatment process may go on smoothly or may get impeded or slowed down along the way. There can be stark differences in patient experiences based on how the process goes.
What going the extra mile looks like?
There’s nothing like a doctor who goes the extra mile. And the key to doing that is finding a healthy balance. One has to do more while being wary of doing too much. I tend to follow my gut instincts and do what keeps my conscience free.
Other than just relying on conscience, here are a few more things I believe health care workers can rely on to offer a bit more in terms of optimal patient care.
Advocacy in healthcare
The truth is most health systems are imperfect and the healthcare workers are not always at fault. It’s a salad of politics, business and healthcare.
However being inside persons, they might be able to speed up one or two things. This depends on maintaining a good relationship with all the other colleagues, and a willingness to go the extra mile.
You see when a doctor goes to the lab to retrieve your blood tests, that is not a job they are being paid to. This can be seen in situations where electronic medical records are not yet functional. They might face a bad attitude and criticism for even doing too much.
In many hospitals now, phlebotomists are the employees expected to take your sample, so when you see a nurse/doctor take that sample, they are trying to facilitate the process and make your stay smoother.
This is what advocacy in healthcare might look like and it’s something I’m learning to do as well.
I’m learning to ask questions, to ask again repeatedly. To inquire again about ambulance services, to send reminders about referrals to different specialists. To ask that the specialist gives a proper report of the requested investigations. To get to the bottom line and ensure that the treatment plan was followed.
Respect and Dignity
As long as a being has life, it is worthy of being accorded dignity. The easiest way I’ve learnt is to place myself in their shoes. Do unto others what you would like them to do to you.
It maybe even more difficult according respect to others especially when you’re not being respected yourself or shown any appreciation. Do it anyway.
This is not about being the bigger person. It’s learning mastery of ourselves. Mastery of our emotions and feelings. Letting our intelligent brains guide our actions rather than our emotions or someone else’s actions.
Engagement
I’m very much an introvert and do not like too much interaction.
But sometimes an extra how are you,
an extra eye contact,
an extra touch,
an extra listening ear could be all that is needed in fast tracking the healing process.
Patient Education on disease process, medication management
Patients do have a right to be informed about their diseases and given the option of treatment options available to them. Another important reason on why to take some time in educating patients is for the sake of better cooperation and compliance.
Caregiver involvement
Parents and caregivers need to carried along as well. Of course it is important to vary the information being given to them based on the age and mental capacity of the patient so as to not breech confidentiality.
The kind of doctor I want to be
I saw a post the other day that said, “Just because you handle something, doesn’t mean you should”
I agree that this is partly valid. Indeed Capability does not equate to Obligation.
Still, I think healthcare workers should go the extra mile. If you never try you wouldn’t know how capable you really are. You wouldn’t know what change or impact you have initiated from your singular action.
As for obligation, this pertains to moral responsibility. And the thing is, when we hold ourselves to the highest standards, we really do it for ourselves and not for others. No one else knows or sees it except us. And when you fail to do what you could or should have done, you fail yourself.
I want to do right for my self, for my kids, for my patients.
I hope I can be the kind of doctor who knows what I ought to do and does it.
