It was 2023, and I was working as medical officer in my alma matter. A lady came in and after going through her OPD card I got to know that she was the patient of the principal of the college. After asking her about the history I realized that even though the medicine was given to her last time, she didn’t take it properly, which I questioned. Then she replied that - “Dr sir didn’t even listen to my complaints like you did. He was over the phone full time. Just when the call ended he wrote the prescription and asked to get medicines. I am new to Ayurveda and don’t know how to take medicine”.
That’s when I realized that, it is very important to patiently listen to them, build up their trust , show some empathy and then treat, cause not all diseases are treated just by medicines. Empathy not only creates a connection between doctor and patients, it also helps the patients to communicate with the doctors freely , helping the doctors understand the condition of patients.
Have you ever felt that empathy can make a difference in patients response to the treatments ?
MBH/AB