Radiologist's Blog

Does having a photograph on the form change the way you report?

That set me thinking. Over the years, I have had some beautiful relations with patients who have changed my approach, to radiology, medicine and life.

Usually we have transactional relations-business like dealings. A transformational relationship is something which changes your nature.

As a radiologist, I have tried to live by the Credo that any possible diagnosis should be open to you. It is our duty to look beyond the obvious, establish or refute alternative diagnosis, and also look for possible changes due to metabolism, medicines or therapy.

As a writer, I have tried to live by the Credo that nothing human should be alien to you. One should try to seek what is the belief, faith, motivation, system in which a person believes in.

Building relations with patients can become a very good platform for communications to build transformational relations. It will make your practice more fun and satisfying.

Combining the experiences through Medical Imaging and writing, have helped me look into themes which our otherwise office-to-home business-as-usual numbing schedules will not permit, eating away our humanity and spirit.

Building relations with patients can become a very good platform for communications to build transformational relations. It will make your practice more fun and satisfying.

Here are some such relations which I built over the years.

 

"I am a believer" Attabib Hesham told me. He is my age. He has a son as old as my elder son.

On returning from India to Libya, I had a memorable reunion with one Attabib Hesham. The staff nurse came inside and told me that there is one Mr.Hesham who wants to meet me.

"He says that he knows you and you know him"

Bring him in, I told. And as he walked in we shook hands warmly and kissed each other on the cheeks, Libyan Arab style. It was a warm reunion.

The Libyan staff nurse and technicians looked on in surprise as to how we knew each other so well and what was it that bound us.

As a radiologist, I have tried to live by the Credo that any possible diagnosis should be open to you. It is our duty to look beyond the obvious, establish or refute alternative diagnosis, and also look for possible changes due to metabolism, medicines or therapy.

Our association started with a scan more than two years ago. He is a diagnosed case of Nasopharyngeal carcinoma with invasion of the skull base. Over the years, he has traveled to many different countries for his treatment. He even went to Hong Kong where there is a specialized centre for this type of cancer.

After the scan was done, I sat down with him and explained to him what he had. He took it very bravely. "I am a believer" he said in a quiet manner. There was no showmanship in this assertion. It was just a quiet firm deep belief.

"When my time will come, Allah will take me".

Over many meetings over the years, he has kept me updated with the progress of his treatment.

He is a strong man. Well built. He has taken his difficult therapy well. And the most striking thing is that he has kept smiling through it all. Never have I felt him give in to any emotions such as despair, self-pity or frustration.

Never did he ask "Why me"? Never has he shown any resentment that his life has been altered so radically by this disease in what should be his best years.

Underlining all his courage is his quiet firm belief asserted in the four words - I am a believer.

 

He changed the way I look at patients. Try building some such meaningful relations, they will change one's perspective and depth.