Quick response to medical student Naren.

Naren's numerous Qs, concerns, conflicts, some confusion, and with the "medical halo" took me spinning back 45years down a similar path .Answers came rather slow due to my exceedingly busy extracurricular activities in wide range of areas (which I have not recommended to anyone since). Then my very reputable Gem of a father physician insited on setting examples for learning rather than formal teaching principles- which added to some more delay.

A very early dictum in medicine- we strive to provide comfort to ALL, relief to some(if medicines are effective), & true cure to very few (even cutout tomors can regrow). So comfort is the main focus here. Gently greeting patients, holding their hands in a friendly grip, listening with interest &looking into their eyes with care & compassion can put even a hostile patient at ease ; comfort more than half accomplished. Believe me this doesn't take more than a couple of minutes out of our "busy schedule".

Medical Ethics allows us the previlege (not birth right) to take care of ailing humanbeings setting in the process very dmanding high standards which also is a great previlege. As humanbeings everyone has significant intermingling of psycho-social-economic factors which makes assessment more difficult. Ethics allows us to use such information only for helping in patient care and never to snap back at patient with insulting or demeaning manner, no matter if they come from prison, nursinghome or mental retardation center. We are absolutely NOT allowed to be critical or judgemental about unrelated factors & most importantly patient him/herself.

Assuming that all people are created equal, MD degree should not impose any sense of "superiority" over patients. When they are in office or hospital their wellbeing is totally our responsibility & needs to be delivered with grace ,respect & compassion. Before leaving they should have a fair idea where else the other health issues need to be addressed. There is a need to develop a graceful way to thank the patient. Remember in the whole process we didn't do them any favors; rather their coming in helped put food in our plates! The bottomline of all these is simple- just treat every patient as you or your family would like to be treated.

For most average people (Naren is an exception in this line) following such guidelines in a consistent manner the whole lifetime is not easy. In a conscious effort one needs to develop unselfishness, love, tolerance & humility (means: you donot think less of yourself but less about yourself). These are the fundamental principles of spirituality, & accomplished thru prayer & meditation more for others than for ourselves & leaving the outcome of every effort in HIS/HERhands.

Naren- In addition, several quotes, cliches &sayings also shed more light. Try not to be a man of success but of value; be the change you want to see in this world; to accomplish anything one needs to be humble like dirt; courage is not absence of fear but walking thru it; it takes more courage to tolerate pain than inflicting; self esteem comes from doing esteemable acts. We should
also be well aware that age old recognized characters of- ego, pride, arrogance, anger, resentment, tempertantrums etc are reflections of our fear & insecurities and not of strength. As we gradually replace these with spiritual principles, we steadily change from restless, irritable & dicontent personality towards peace, serenity & happiness.

Let's complete with the prayer:
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change(outside world),
The courage to change the things I can(my inside),
And the wisdom to know the difference.

Goodbye untill later- Love you all.