Taking the time

15 years ago, when I was a second year junior doctor, I had just done the exam that you do to enter surgical training - known as the primary.  We re-learn a lot of what we do in medical school and have 3 days of exams.  I came back to work after sitting the exams and picked up a patients chart - a large manilla folder then - and went into the room to read through it, before calling in the patient. 

The patient was a 53 year old lady with oesophageal cancer.  The surgeon had been trying to convince her to have major cancer surgery - an oesopahgectomy (removing the tube between your throat and your stomach).  She was hesitant - wisely so because it was major surgery - but it really was the only option for her.  She wasn’t a scientist but was a smart lady, and she wanted to try absolutely anything else.  

For me, the stress of the exam was over and finally I had the energy and time to spend as long as necessary with this patient.  Plus, I was bursting with knowledge.  So I just took my time explaining to this patient what cancer was, how the cell’s were out of control and why surgery was needed to treat it. 

So after our rather long chat about everything I knew about cancer, she decided she wanted the surgery. 

I came out of the clinic room, found the surgeon and told him she finally wanted to be booked up for the big operation. “What did you say to her?”. It’s an interaction I think about to this day.

I had treated her like a friend or family member, told her what cancer was and spent the time explaining to her why I thought this was the best treatment, in a way that my Mum or friends would understand.

It made me realise the power of time and listening.  Instead of just dictating a treatment plan, I found that taking the time to understand what the patient’s priorities were and what questions she had, allowed me to address those issues and keep her choices front of mind.  

It’s how I like to treat all my patients.   I want them to feel heard and to be empowered to make the best decisions for their body.  

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For more on cancer management, I recommend the Australian Cancer Council website, at https://www.cancer.org.au.

Or https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/types-of-cancer/breast-cancer