Being Mortal by Atul
Gawande MD has been suggested by many as an excellent read if you question the
role of medical sciences in understanding ageing, death, not merely in prolonging
life. I have had doctors wanting to keep the cholesterol under control as the
patient lay dying with an incurable tumour.
My
friend shared her experience last week when her eighty nine year sister who
lived in a different city, alone, fell, had to be hospitalised and undergo
surgery for a hip implant. The surgeon attending on her spoke to my friend,
calmed her, explained the pin hole surgery procedure and worked at keeping his
patient comfortable till the surgery was done. He arranged for special nurses
on day night shift and kept the family informed till they could be by her side.
The family is so grateful they have
awarded the doctor BFFL (best friend for life) status. Medical support based only
on technology with out any human touch is commerce, and with it becomes noble service.
No comments:
Post a Comment