{"id":1000,"date":"2017-11-01T18:52:25","date_gmt":"2017-11-01T18:52:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.scottishmedicalhumanities.org\/human\/?p=1000"},"modified":"2018-04-22T22:31:43","modified_gmt":"2018-04-22T21:31:43","slug":"the-neurosurgical-teaching-round","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scottishmedicalhumanities.org\/human\/the-neurosurgical-teaching-round\/","title":{"rendered":"The Neurosurgical Teaching Round"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cKnow him,\u201d the Neurosurgeon said, as we
\nHuddled expectantly, our white coats gleaming.
\nArmed with newly honed skills in taking a history
\nWe enquired about headache and vomiting.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, really know him,\u201d the Consultant insisted, although
\nwe did not understand. \u201cListen without assuming,
\ndiscover who he is and never suppose
\nwhat his passions are or what he dreams of becoming.\u201d<\/p>\n

Textbooks closed and the patient transformed, perceptibly
\nBlossoming into an eager adolescent, not much younger than us,
\nSomeone you could love like a brother and we scarcely
\nNoticed the intention tremor and mild unsteadiness.<\/p>\n

The Sister stared when we returned once more.
\n\u201cHe died,\u201d she said and briskly shut the door.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Helen Gibson, The Neurosurgical Teaching Round<\/em>, with the author’s permission.<\/p>\n

Commentary<\/h3>\n

All professionals remember times when an individual patient\u2019s story really touched them. The author is a retired paediatrician, but this experience from her days as a medical student stayed with her.<\/p>\n

To be most useful to patients, and to ourselves, we tread a line between knowing and understanding patients, and being so close that we are devastated when things go badly – and then less use to the patients who follow. It is important to strive to get that balance right.<\/p>\n

Dr Gibson\u2019s poem was commended in the 2017 Hippocrates Poetry competition.<\/p>\n

Further info<\/h3>\n