Anna and I had a surprise visit from a friend yesterday, whom, we knew during her undergraduate training in medicine. What a delight it was to recall memories and experiences that we shred together during those years!
Our conversation meandered to the realities which the medical graduates face when they endeavour into further training and choosing a speciality!
According to a comment which Mr Bill Gates made, quoted in the social media, one among the three frontiers of science which would not restrict job opportunities when Artificial Intelligence would dominate the work space in the next decade, it is the field of medicine which would still need the human interface even more.
When this friend shared how she, during her undergraduate training, along with her friends, family and few teachers volunteered to support families when they were affected by a flood and loss of property, it occurred to us that this experience left deep impressions in her life about the vocation of being a medical professional. This experience seems to influence her significantly to listen to health care needs of others with a feeling heart and an empathetic response. The conversation between a patient and a doctor is both factual and relational. Anna and I felt encouraged to hear this friend talk about exploring this relational dimension in health care to help people feel valued and listened to, to lead then to consider life style changes to contain the ravaging effect of some diseases.
A taxi driver, who lost his wife two months ago, following multiple complications of Diabetes, resulting in renal failure and limb loss due to ischemic peripheral vascular disease told us, how in the earlier days of her illness, the medical consultations were more prescriptive than discussing on matters involving life style changes. For twenty years that she was treated for Diabetes, it was only in the last five years, the family had an awareness of the disease, its multi-organ adverse effects and care and caution that could limit the complications. When all his efforts failed to have a kidney transplant done, he felt defeated in his efforts to bring respite to his wife.
A team of Diabetologists at the Christian Medical College, Vellore under the leadership of Dr Nihal Thomas changed the treatment protocol of Diabetes, by starting courses for doctors, nurses and families to educate them. There are short term courses, to train nurses in counselling, foot care, diet and nutrition, and general practitioners in treatment protocols and multi-organ screening periodically. The life style medicine that has become speciality under the leadership of Dr Samuel Hansdak at CMCV is complementing to contain the complications of the non-communicable diseases. These patient-centric efforts are towards restoring life and living to a desirable level of hope and recovery.
During a video conversation with a Paediatrician from north India about a child with seizures, who responded well to treatment with anticonvulsants, she recalled how the family had spent years prior to this in experimenting with local remedies and rituals. The cultural and traditional beliefs besieged the family.
It was an encouragement to hear our friend share her longing to bring caring and mindful ways into the practice of medicine, where a professional can relate and communicate personally to people seeking help. The young professionals with such a sense of calling bring a beacon of hope, when the practice of medicine gets derailed into a business for profit.
This visit helped Anna and me to remember others who became connected with us and are in different places practicing medicine with a self giving vocation!
We recall their friendship gratefully and greet them with good wishes and regards for experiencing the joy of service!
M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
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