Patients and doctors are partners working to achieve the same goals together. In providing services to their patients, doctors have to use their brain, offer their skills and talents and at the same time to use their ‘heart’ to achieve great harmony with their patients both in soul and in spirit. As a philosopher once said, “If we dedicate ourselves to others, others will in turn dedicate themselves to us. We would have performed our duties to the best of our conscience and found the best reward.”
One day during the second half of 2002, a 23-year-old advanced liver cancer patient was transferred to our hospital from another hospital. He had liver enlargement which extended to his lower abdomen, ascites, and leg edema and lung metastasis. His family insisted to give it a go. After due consideration, we decided to provide the patient with supportive care. When we gave the patient subclavian vein catheterization and before injection of any drug, unexpectedly, the patient lapsed into unconsciousness; one pupil was big while the other small. This was indicative of a brain failure which might have been caused by thrombosis that led to cerebral embolism, or the cerebral might have broken due to brain metastasis. This had nothing to do with catheterization. The family members failed to understand this sudden change of patient’s condition and accused the hospital for malpractice. In the face of this accusation we kept our cool and did not argue with them. Instead all our medical staff launched an emergency rescue from 4 p.m. till the patient died eventually at 9 p.m. The nursing staff washed and cleaned the corpse professionally and dressed it with new clothing provided by the family. Dr. Niu, the vice president, a deputy chief physician and the division director also helped the nursing staff in doing the work. After witnessing the entire rescue process, the family members changed their attitude.
The next morning, 5 to 6 members of the family came to my office. Upon seeing me, the parents of the deceased held my hands and said, “Our son was sick for more than a year. We had never seen any medical staffs that are as responsible as your medical staff. You had done your job to the best of your ability. We are truly grateful.” The brothers of the deceased said, “We apologize for our undesirable attitude we exhibited yesterday. We are very sorry!” I could not help but shed tears so did Dr. Niu. I said to them, “Thank you for your understanding. This is what we should do.”
It is over a year now and I can remember the scene vividly. What a great understanding it was!
What is an understanding? An understanding is the transmission of feelings and a heart-to-heart communication. It is not an emotional speech or a great preaching. It is what you do and how well you have done it. Action is better than mere words. In real life, just by extending a helping hand we can bring out warmth in people’s heart. Every action by medical staffs is a yardstick of their soul and spirit. Patients’ understanding is based on whether the medical personnel discharge their duties to the best of their abilities.