The challenge to be a good doctor

What makes a good doctor? Obviously there are certain technical skills and standards that have to be mastered, but what else contributes to make a meaningful difference? I think it is something ‘human’.

My dad was a doctor who lived his profession.  He saw patients early, he saw them late, he worked on weekends, he made house calls.

This past week, I decided to follow in my dad’s footsteps and make a house call. I went to see Gary who was an AIDS survivor. This wasn’t a sad story, but in fact was a celebration of living. Gary had almost lost his life to a severe pneumonia that sent him to the ICU. Fortunately the doctors recognized the symptoms and put him on medications to stop the HIV virus. He slowly improved and was able to leave the hospital. That was seven years ago and he’s doing so well that I’m no longer concerned about his immunodeficiency. Measurements show his immune system is stronger now than ever. Instead, I’m more concerned about Gary’s elevated cholesterol and lack of exercise. With the antiretroviral medications we have today, I expect him to live for decades more.

I could see that my home visit meant a lot to Gary. I wanted to restore some dignity to the patient. I wanted to show I was listening to his concerns. I wanted to show his time was as valuable as mine. He was also a human being.

I wish I had time to visit all of my patients at home – the ‘old fashioned way’. Of course, in the 21st century, it’s much harder to do. What I’ve observed in the doctors I admire most, is that they actually listen: They make that connection where real understanding between two people occurs. That is where healing takes place. That is the path to greatness.

I’ve posted a few stories here on Small miracles about AIDS survivors and other patients. Of course all of their names have been changed to protect their privacy. These are real stories that inspire me to work harder and to be a better doctor.

Now I want to honor a few other ‘great doctors’ I know using their real names. I want to recognize them and say ‘thank you’:

Dr. Tim Babinchak – you taught me how to think as a young doctor in training
Dr. Joe DeSimone – you taught me what compassion really meant
Dr. Greg Kane – you inspired me to work harder than I ever thought possible
Dr. Chusana Suankrati – you amazed me with your dedication to patients and student education.
Dr. Jonathan Sporn – you are a beacon of hope for those in need
Dr. Alexander Palesty – you care deeply which is important to those around you

And to the many other doctors who I think of now…
You inspire me, RW

Jewels of India – Mother Teresa and her sisters

When I arrived in Calcutta it was early June and the monsoon season hadn’t started yet.  That meant the air was thick and hazy blue with humidity on diesel.

 

I looked out the cab window, amazed at the India before me.  Never had I seen so many people – hoards of humanity.  Animals too seemed everywhere – boney cows, scruffy chickens, flea-bitten street dogs, dirty naked children.

 

Rickety cars, scooters, bicycles, push-carts, and other wheeled contraptions weasled through the streets.  In my weakly air conditioned cab, I could take it all in.

I’d be staying here for a month, after thumbing through a book called ‘Volunteer Vacations’ and deciding to work with Mother Teresa’s organization – the Sisters of Charity.  I was attracted by the description in the book – simply ‘show up and begin work’ with address of the Mother House.

 

Many of the other entries for ‘volunteer vacations’ had some sort of application, screening process or skills needed.  I liked Mother Teresa’s approach – simple, direct and no talents required.  She would take anybody who had a desire to help.  Her winning of the Nobel Prize led me to believe this would be an authentic experience.  I didn’t really expect this to be a vacation at all.