Comments on: The Difficult Patient http://www.medaholic.com/2010/02/03/the-difficult-patient/ Wed, 01 Sep 2010 06:42:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Joshua http://www.medaholic.com/2010/02/03/the-difficult-patient/comment-page-1/#comment-398 Joshua Thu, 04 Feb 2010 03:15:59 +0000 http://www.medaholic.com/?p=558#comment-398 Although I'm still in 1st year of medicine, I've quickly come to appreciate how challenging patient interaction can be. I've had a patient begin to dose off in the middle of taking a history, and after asking him if he wanted to continue, said he couldn't do this anymore. I've had a patient express frustration with his care, asking me why he can't leave the hospital. At the same time, I have had very positive patients, sharing private details about their lives all the while recognizing I am here to practice and learn and being very patient with me as I make mistakes and improve on my weaknesses. Like you said, there are two sides to the coin. I think a lot of us tend to underestimate how challenging the "art" side of medicine can be. When we visit our doctors as patients, we view ourselves as kind, compliant, clear, etc. But the reality is that when people are very sick, have trouble with English, frustrated, etc. medicine can be quite difficult, which is why developing the soft skills in medicine so important. Although I’m still in 1st year of medicine, I’ve quickly come to appreciate how challenging patient interaction can be. I’ve had a patient begin to dose off in the middle of taking a history, and after asking him if he wanted to continue, said he couldn’t do this anymore. I’ve had a patient express frustration with his care, asking me why he can’t leave the hospital.

At the same time, I have had very positive patients, sharing private details about their lives all the while recognizing I am here to practice and learn and being very patient with me as I make mistakes and improve on my weaknesses. Like you said, there are two sides to the coin.

I think a lot of us tend to underestimate how challenging the “art” side of medicine can be. When we visit our doctors as patients, we view ourselves as kind, compliant, clear, etc. But the reality is that when people are very sick, have trouble with English, frustrated, etc. medicine can be quite difficult, which is why developing the soft skills in medicine so important.

]]> By: medaholic http://www.medaholic.com/2010/02/03/the-difficult-patient/comment-page-1/#comment-397 medaholic Wed, 03 Feb 2010 18:01:27 +0000 http://www.medaholic.com/?p=558#comment-397 I think even with all the cool science, new technology and breakthroughs in medicine, the most rewarding aspect for me is still the personal interactions with patients. Getting to know them as a person and their story. Finding common ground. Working together to achieve health. I think even with all the cool science, new technology and breakthroughs in medicine, the most rewarding aspect for me is still the personal interactions with patients. Getting to know them as a person and their story. Finding common ground. Working together to achieve health.

]]> By: Pre Med Journey http://www.medaholic.com/2010/02/03/the-difficult-patient/comment-page-1/#comment-396 Pre Med Journey Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:22:32 +0000 http://www.medaholic.com/?p=558#comment-396 A doctor I work with says his favorite thing about the work is the personal growth aspect, for what it's worth. A doctor I work with says his favorite thing about the work is the personal growth aspect, for what it’s worth.

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