What would you do!

One thing a lot of people would like to know is that their loved one is in safe hands. A
lot of things may have helped to form opinions about those with whom you have
spent the past 9yrs or more. Their attitude to work, seniors, colleagues and even their
patients. Knowing stuff is important because without it one has no knowledge about
medicine. A small sample of members of class ’04 told of the basic things that would
determine their choice of referring a patient to a colleague. The responses are below;

Kosy ; I’d rather choose the right attitude to patients than the best of knowledge.

Eboh : the stuff is important I agree, but their attitude ranks higher on my list.

Harriet ; the fore bearing of the individual is a factor cost there is no stuff in medicine.
ability to relate with your patient is more important.

Gloria ; I need the doctor to be emphatic, to understand and know his limit instead of
trying to move stuff on my patient

Norma : i think the stuff is important. The character is not so important. Just treat my
patient and let him get well.

Joke ; medicine is not about stuff alone. when people think they are stuffed, they just
don’t know when they are going wrong but will insist on being the winner. I don’t
want that for my patient. Empathy is more important.

Emeke ; the general attitude of the patient to work, people, has to be right. Stuff is
good but these count more to me.

Vivian . diligence

Rasaq ; there’s no doubt that there exist a clear dichotomy between ‘stuff’ and
clinical knowledge or practice. The latter should always be considered first when the
need arises to referr a patient.

Abies ; why would I want to someone who will not see beyond the physical need of
my patient. Move stuff and leave my patient depressed cos u cant see beyond your
stuff, No!

Segun ; it’s a combination of knowledge and good relationship. You need stuff to
treat a patient, and good doctor-patient for excellent management.

Anonymous ; why would I give my patient to one who does not know what he is
doing, maybe overload my patient and probably has a nice way of saying sorry. My
patient don die o! no, stuff counts more to me.

Everyone seems to agree that knowing the stuff is important. That tells how important
it is for the teachers as well as your colleagues that one is diligent with the books. But
beyond, this majority will need a doctor who sees beyond the physical need of the
patient into what the patient has not told and may not readily volunteer. Your ability
to get to the patient’s level gives you an upper hand in his management.

Who is the doctor with the right attitude to patient?

One who will accept the limit to their knowledge and easily refer patients. He is also
akin to the psychological aspect of their needs and is not concerned with moving stuff
on them. It is important to give your best to whatever it is you are doing, people need
to know that you care and as well as care enough to know. But to really give your
patients the best they need per time, you need to know God for yourself. Go and make
a difference!

Dr Blessing Nnaji