Medical diagnoses

A friend had a terrible scare last week when a doctor told her that she has cancer. It was a young doctor who saw her that day, and it must have been a shock for her to be told such news with brusqueness and without much sensitivity. As I listened I did feel much 'shame' for the poor image of the medical profession this leaves in the minds and hearts of people. At the same time, I was reminded that at one time, I too was young and not very good at breaking such news to patients. Perhaps I would have been more reticent, and not really said much, feeling unsure what to do if a patient broke down and cried. Yes, we doctors have so much to study in terms of medical information, yet, not enough emphasis was given to the interpersonal relationships that would be part and parcel of our work. I remember attending seminars on communication with patients but these were few and far between.

I was not so certain though that the doctor could have made a diagnosis so easily, so I suggested my friend seek a second opinion. Thankfully, today, she did, and the senior consultant was much more reassuring, saying that it did not look so ominous, although further tests would have to be done to confirm. Medical diagnoses should be told to patients with great care, especially if it is something as worrying as cancer. It is not something to be undertaken lightly, just on mere suspicion. It is news that will cause much confusion and sleepless nights. It turns a person's life upside down. I hope that the young doctor realiizes his error and in time, with greater maturity, learns to deal with sensitivity towards patients who may have life threatening conditions.