Good doctors and teachers

This morning I read a letter in the newspaper written by a doctor. He/she talked about how he/she was affected by a patient's death though he/she has been taught by his/her lecturer that things like that should not disturb a doctor too much.

This evening while talking to my son, he spoke of how he was sadden by one of his ex-patient(he has since changed department) death. And how 2 of his patients are at near end.

What do the medical profession aspires their young doctors to feel?Basing on their training , (as discussed lately in the newspaper), they seem to be gruelled and hammered and worked to their last bit of energy. Skills and knowledge and stamina has to be trained intensely Unconsciously, we are getting very tired exhausted doctors. To this, they will have no time or energy to 'feel'. A death is just another report to be made. A very sick patient is just a bed that needs monitoring.

Like the writer above said in the letter,beneath the white coat is a human. Beyond getting medication and treatment, the patient needs a tender touch. This goes beyond the sick one to their loved ones. A tender show of care, a word or a smile at the right time can go very far.

But then again what do we want our doctors to be? Is a good doctor someone who is knowledgeable with good medical skills? Or is medical care goes more than that?. To me, when I am sick, I believe my end has been well arranged by some one up there long before my coming into existence. The doctors are just His angels to do the physical work. The final decision is only His to make. So saying, a caring doctor wins hand down as compared to a smart but  hard core one.

Medical care, like teaching deals with living souls with feelings. There are guidelines to our profession but every case should be handled with love and a inner commitment before we can be called successful doctors and teachers.

Lastly as teachers and doctors, we also need to know when to leave our work behind when we walk out of the gates so that we can be rejuvenated to a fresh start again the next day.