“It is no longer acceptable for a doctor to simply be a repository of knowledge; rather, and more importantly, a doctor must be able to make sense of knowledge.”
In 2004, I started my clinical practice as a newly-minted Family Medicine Specialist. I was confident, believing that I knew more than my patients. My goal then was to showcase this expertise; create impressive visual aids and prescribing materials that would show my intellectual capacity. It was how I was taught as a medical student and as a resident too. It worked —up to a point. The disconnect became obvious when I saw my patients not getting any better. It was an eye-opener.
While it is a respectable goal to instill knowledge, I realize today that I may not be the best conduit to share mere knowledge. I do not have enough time to engage with my patients in the clinical setting in order to provide extensive patient education —fortunately, the internet can make up for this deficiency. Most of the basic teachings needed for diseases can now be accessed online and can be accessed by those without a medical background. However, there is no way to replace the presence and reassuring action of a physician in patient management. There is also a need to clarify and verify whatever information is available online.
What must a physician do under circumstances such as pandemics and false information?
While I was mulling over this question, I was inspired by a bishop’s homily about The Last Supper. He emphasized three important points about the Last Supper: Humility, Availability, and Empowerment. The Lord humbled himself as a servant, and made himself available to his disciples. And during the Last Supper, he empowered his disciples to do the same. We always hear the words: “Do this in memory of me”. I think that this must also be every physician’s goal: to create a legacy that will instill a good memory of one’s efforts.
A doctor must be humble enough today to realize that he or she does not know everything. This will push the physician to continually learn and hone their craft. A doctorate degree is not the be-all and end-all of a physician – rather, it is the beginning of a long and arduous climb towards the realization of being a true healer. It is this humility that will help a doctor reach out to patients, identifying misconceptions and risky behaviors. Genuine concern is felt when a doctor is not arrogant and all-knowing. This allows the patient to freely provide relevant data.
In the age of the internet, remote communication is a blessing. This must be maximized. It might seem to be a burden to always be within reach, an email or a text message away from a patient. While this privilege may be abused, this increases patient satisfaction and compliance. There is also the advantage of having real time information about signs and symptoms, making a doctor respond rapidly in case of emergencies.
Lastly, and most important, I am most passionate about empowerment. Doctors must empower patients to take care of their health by preaching prevention rather than cure. The word “Doctor” comes from the Latin word “Docere”, meaning, to teach. We cannot deviate from it, for it is inherent in the medical profession to be a teacher in order for people to preserve their health. Part of the responsibility of being a Medical Professor is to inculcate this fact: as a doctor, you will be a teacher, and at the same time, you must empower your patients to make good health decisions. It is not a loss if the patient never gets sick, and if they do need a physician, they will not hesitate on whom to call first.
Humility. Availability. Empowerment. These are the lessons of the Last Supper. These are also the ideal traits of the doctor of the future. And I believe it will never go out of style. Just like your favorite clothes.