Time is Precious

Fictional anthropologist Dr. Temperance Brennan, a normally stoic woman who prizes logic over emotion and science over passion, is mystified when she cannot stop herself from worrying about her baby daughter after dropping her off for her first day of daycare.  She is faced with the fact that it is human to be unable to control certain feelings even where knowledge and trust abound.  Though Dr. Brennan is not real, the dilemma she faces is one that is very applicable to one that many patients face.  Whether the patient and their family has to see a physician for a benign problem or learns that there is a very serious issue, there is the potential for anxiety.

Recently,  during my time in clinic I met a patient whose condition required her to have a tracheostomy tube.  As the visit progressed she became increasingly distressed.  Though calm in the beginning of the appointment, her composure was lost as she described the problems she had with her tube.  Her fear of future pain and of the still unknown condition which had led to the multiple hospitalizations and procedures she'd endured was palpable.  Understanding that her trach tube was likely keeping her alive did not stop the worries she had.  However,  what also became clear during the course of the visit was that she did not necessarily want more information, but that she wanted to feel that the medical professionals entrusted with her care actually cared.  She said, more than once, "You [doctors] don't know,  you never have had one these [trach tubes]."  My attending's empathetic demeanor helped her to feel comfortable enough to share her concerns.  He acknowledge her feelings and made her feel validated,  even though his deeper understanding of her medical situation could have led him to devalue her worries in the face of the necessity for the tube.  At the same time he calmly advised the patient to take the logical steps to improve her situation.

Patients need conscientious care that is explained to them in a way they can understand.  However, what many want is to know that someone, in this case someone with a particular skill set they do not possess,  is in their corner.  For television's Dr. Brennan, it is a husband who encourages her to accept her feelings and a on-site daycare provider at work.   For patients like the one I described,  is someone with and empathetic ear who is willing to use their powers on his or her behalf.  

By taking a little extra time with her,  my attending showed her that he cared.  And that made all the difference for our patient.  Knowledge is necessary,  but time,  especially in the medical field,  is precious.  Giving time and attention to our patients is a way in which we can care for them.
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Abimbola Olayinka
UICOMP, Class of 2014