We’ll figure this out; I won’t abandon you

Many years ago when I was at university, one of my classes consisted of diagnosing patients using basic clinical skills and interviewing the patients. The “patients” were actors hired by the university to play the part of someone with diabetes, tuberculosis, or acid reflux, etc. The actors rotated through each small group. In a semester, each actor was exposed to around 500 students.

During my university studies, I became severely ill with pneumonia and other mysterious symptoms. I had to take about five months off before I returned back to university. During that time of being sick with an unknown medical condition, I had gone from doctor to doctor, clinic to clinic, searching for answers. Finally doctor number 86 recognized I probably had postural orthostastic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). He referred me on to a cardiologist (doctor number 87), and I was finally diagnosed with POTS. During all these medical encounters I became acutely aware of what made a good physician and what a terrible physician. I mentally collected all this information and brought it back with me to university.

One day during a patient interview, I was the person in our small group responsible for conducting the interview. The actress presented her medical case to me. In an instant, I completely forgot she was acting and that I was in class. My heart broke as I listened to this woman’s symptoms. I imagined all the pain and struggles she must have had to endure to get through each day. At the end of the interview, I placed my hand on her hand. I looked into her eyes, and I reassured the woman I would do everything I could to help her. If I was not able to figure out her case, I would enlist the help of my colleagues, and we would get answers. I assured the woman I would never abandon her. I reassured her that we would figure things out and get her back on the road to better health.

Suddenly, without warning, the woman burst into tears. The actress broke from her script. Between her sobs, she told me that this was the nicest, the kindest interview she has ever had. Although I was not a medical professional, she would gladly come to me as a patient because she knew I would do everything I could to help her. She said this was the first time she ever felt like someone listened to her and cared about her symptoms. Tears welled up in my eyes because this was exactly what I thought a good clinician should do—listen to their patients, care for them, never abandon them and do everything possible to help them. The actress and I hugged. She then moved on to another small group.