In good hands

Being chronically ill is not a matter of simply being diagnosed and treated by a doctor. There is so much more to treating a patient, which can ultimately lessen the severity of the symptoms, and in some cases, slow the progression of the disease itself, ensuring a better quality of life. If a patient feels he/she is understood by the doctor and respective family and friends, this gives valuable beneficial support and empathy to the person who is ill. Like the reflection of the sun on the ocean, it radiates back, so understanding fully what someone is going through (whatever the disease) and making allowances, being tolerant and identifying with the person’s symptoms is equally important as diagnosis and medication. I am extremely fortunate to be under the care of doctors who understand the importance of narrative medicine, which makes me feel I am in good hands. I value and trust their opinions, and they in return listen to what I report on my visits and pay attention to family medical history and detail. Treating a patient as a person, and not merely as an interesting medical case, encourages the patient to open up, and valuable dialogue between doctor and patient can transpire. When I walk into a doctor’s office, the doctor always looks up as I enter, eye to eye contact is made, my first name is applied, and an interest with compassion is conveyed. This is the sign of a good doctor.