First, Do No Harm

Salam..

Drifting away from the ever scientific and factual lifestyle of a 'medic', I decided this entry tonight will be a lighter version of a person, not bound or tagged by his career.. In all fairness, it is an essential part of being a doctor, that is being a human being!

Recently, much has happened, whether politically or locally, that everything needs to be 'documented'.. That all relates to the legality and traceability of every single word you say.. At least, that is what the medical training and profession in this Western world looks like at present time.. Given that so much was invested to 'cover our own sides', it is not surprising at all that the littlest of information can be harmful if delivered using a wrong combination of words..

Reminiscing Palliative Care

Turbulent and turbid - that would probably the best phrase I would choose to describe the medical field at the moment.. Turbulent, with the pressure of working in a sub-conducive environment, lack of nationwide general understanding on the working conditions and challenges faced by doctors day in and day out, general 'stigma' that doctors are well-paid (and perhaps over-paid!), the mounting pressing drags of neglected doctor support system and cry for help.. Turbid, with the upper-level power ever enforcing external pressure to squeeze every drop of energy left in all doctors and expecting no (or denying any) feedback, with the uncertainty of NCHD-IHCA on-paper relationship level..

When turbulent meets turbid, it only equates to one answer - DENIAL.. Denying the fact that doctors work in a sub-professional condition and terms, denying the fact that doctors' challenges are, in fact, more ethical than legal, where patients' care are compromised, denying the truth that, despite the well-honoured title, doctors are paid very poorly for the hours they clock in, denying the fact that doctors' look for help but nobody cares to listen, hence taken as never spoken for.. Denying the truth that everybody knows the system is slaving the doctors..

And it all further manifests itself as compromise in patient care..

It may take a while to realize this, but as a friend said to me today "Somewhere, someone will die because the doctor may not even care anymore, when people don't care about the doctor's interests.."

At this dark hours of the Irish medical profession circumstances, I reminisce the memories and experience working in Palliative Care.. Of course, at the time I was there, all this nonsense of cutbacks had not been brought up at all.. And I remember the joy of coming to work, despite realizing somebody will die that day, that I made a person comfortable, I made a family face the final days of their loved one with utmost dignity and comfort.. That all the money did not matter, all the tablets would not make any difference.. But being there was the magnet that held everybody together.. And that joy is the comfort and greatest pay of being a doctor.. However, when external pressure squeezes all the good faith in any man, then man rebels to ensure self-sustenance.. It is not evil at work, but purely the literal description of "survival of the fittest"..

No smoke without fire.. A simple enough quote to remind anybody that if you play with fire, the consequences may well be (or potentially) destructive..

First, do no harm - that is basic, How To Be A Doctor : Chapter 1.. Just do not forget, that the mirror meaning also takes effect.. Do not 'harm' the doctors.. Remember, when you entrust someone (for example, a doctor) with your life, make sure you have the same respect of his life, that you would do the same if you were in his place.. If you expect your health be looked after properly, make sure you look after your doctors' welfare too..

I rest my case..

Salam..