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Blog entry by Glocal Academy

My Promise to a Patient

My Promise to a Patient

My Promise to a Patient

– Anusha Prabhu ( 3rd Year MBBS, MGM Medical College, Navi Mumbai)

My Hippocrates oath-

From the time I set eyes on my patient to the time the door closes behind them, I vow to give my complete undivided attention to them.

I will make sure that I interact with them and add a personal touch to the introduction so that they look at me as one of their own and trust me.

I will ensure that:

I will see with my eyes everything that I can see— from an uncomfortable laughto a sunken face, a broken smile to a drop in facial expressions

I will listen to everything they say— from a change in tone to an uneasy breath, a sudden flatness of voice to sudden hyponasality.

I will sense the change in emotion from a sudden sigh of relief to a moment of psychological upheaval prompting eternal damnation.

During thorough observation:

I will practice understanding, imbibing their stories by putting myself in their shoes in order to paint a multidimensional picture of their thoughts and expressions.

I will respect them through my words and actions.

I will treat them with compassion.

I will give them the time they need to express.

I will make sure I use signposting while I note down their history, so they know I’m with them and they feel important.

I will explain to them the problem and solution, elaborate yet use simple words and no jargons

I will make sure I give thorough instructions to them regarding their treatment and articulate in a way they understand by practicing listenability.

I will leave no stone unturned in conducting a proper assessment and diagnosis.

I will be completely truthful to them and not sugarcoat anything.

I will create a safe space for them to let go and express themselves without any doubts or fear of condemnation.

I will make sure they walk out of there with less fear and more courage.

I will Empower[1] them and hopefully someday change the way doctors treat patients through a positive movement.

[1]As young medical students we need to approach patients and case histories with New eyes and ears (unlearn to learn) to revolutionize and remold the way we interact by weaving an ever-expanding tensile network of Compassionate communication skills in order to create a movement to empower patients thereby giving them a place to express and let go, thus leaving for home feeling lighter and happier.


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