Makes perfect sense
Yesterday, I learnt a great deal from Dr Jenkins. A very lovely doctor who talks to everybody like a friend, treats everyone well, and most importantly, didn't give me the "you are chinese" attitude. It's either the way he is (I think most likely), or he's just feeling different by having a Chinese around because whenever there was an opportunity, he will ask me things about Singapore, Asian food and about my family.
He also taught me many things. I have not done dermatology and paediatrics yet, but yesterday I did quite a bit of it. Oh yes, the babies are sooooo cute, and I'm so pleased when they started smiling while I was smiling or playing with them. I didn't know babies like me...most of the babies always cry whenever I try to play with them.
Dr Jenkins asked me to define "healthy". I told him it's abt how one feels in himself/herself. A person can be full of illnesses, might be dying even, but if he/she feels happy with everything that is going on with his/her life, then that is a healthy person. A person who might not be ill, but doesn't find anything that makes him/her happy, can be seen as someone ill, hence, not healthy. He said I hit the nail on the head. That's how WHO define one as being healthy, a combination of physical, social and mental wellbeing. Very simple definition, but so important, and should never be forgotten.
I was telling him I feel that the medical part in treating a patient might not be easy at times, but it's nothing compared to treating the social and mental side of things. Sometimes, you just feel that there's just that limit of things you can do for them, but knowing it will not solve the root of their problems in other aspects. These patients will come back one day, having the same illnesses, having the same mentally-induced problems, and there will never be an end to it. His sentiments exactly. He said that social and mental wellbeing is one that doctors can never help patient to achieve. Doctors can only be there to be a shoulder, a best friend, a listening ear, but they can't save patients in the non-medical way.
He also told me that it's amazing how grateful patients can be towards you at times. There was this patient who came into clinic yesterday and this little old man was telling me how grateful he was towards Dr Jenkins. He had a heart attack 7 years ago at 5am and his wife was helpless. So she rang Dr Jenkins, and he rushed down to their house immediately. When he arrived there, he laid the patient flat on the kitchen table and rang the ambulance. Till today, the patient and his wife are so grateful to him rushing over, and felt that Dr Jenkins was the one who saved his life. When this patient left the consulting room, Dr Jenkins said this is one classic example of how grateful patients can get, and the most amazing thing is....the most grateful patients are the ones who u have done the least/nothing for. Calling the ambulance was something anyone would do, but just that simple call could make patients feel eternally grateful. I guess I do understand Dr Jenkins' point of view, but I do see it from the patient's point of view too. Sometimes, it isn't about someone always being there, but about being there at the right time. But I do think Dr Jenkins is dedicated enough a doctor to wake up at 5am just to rush out of the house to make sure his patient is alright. If I were him, I would do it too.
Another very interesting issue Dr Jenkins talked to me about was his dream after graduation. He said he wanted to go to 3rd world countries to help the needy, and had to take exams before going to Africa, which unfortunately he flunked. He then decided to retake it, but work in a healthcare centre in Ely while doing so. And it was only when he came to Ely that he realised this. It isn't just in Africa that ppl are suffering, but right here in Ely too. He changed his mind about going to Africa since then, and felt an urge to put his ability to good use here instead. This thing he told me got me thinking about it the whole evening.
How true it is. One doesn't have to leave the country to know how much others are suffering. The most obvious things are the ones u tend to neglect and not see. Africa probably appears to be worse off than UK because they are more backward, but that doesn't mean the problems the poor face there aren't the same as those here in UK. Peer pressure, environment, family issues, education...these problems are everywhere.
I tried to think if this is so in Singapore. Singapore looks beautiful on the surface, but what is lying deep beneath the surface is what I'll not know. I'm eager to find out, and maybe this summer, I'll see if I can open up this mystery I have.
I know there are quite a number of socially deprived people in Sg too, but what are the problems and mindsets of these ppl. I should try to get to know them to find out isn't it? Maybe I'll realise...there's a "3rd world" in Singapore too. Maybe then I'll understand Grandaunt's "Help begins at Home", but in another way..haha. Hers was all about me being a financial burden to my parents, and I should give up Medicine and do a course that will earn me big bucks in future, just like my uncle. But I'm going against her...and I hope by doing so this time, I won't ever regret. Help probably begins at Home....Home being Singapore...help being towards those suffering in silence under a said flourishing country.
He also taught me many things. I have not done dermatology and paediatrics yet, but yesterday I did quite a bit of it. Oh yes, the babies are sooooo cute, and I'm so pleased when they started smiling while I was smiling or playing with them. I didn't know babies like me...most of the babies always cry whenever I try to play with them.
Dr Jenkins asked me to define "healthy". I told him it's abt how one feels in himself/herself. A person can be full of illnesses, might be dying even, but if he/she feels happy with everything that is going on with his/her life, then that is a healthy person. A person who might not be ill, but doesn't find anything that makes him/her happy, can be seen as someone ill, hence, not healthy. He said I hit the nail on the head. That's how WHO define one as being healthy, a combination of physical, social and mental wellbeing. Very simple definition, but so important, and should never be forgotten.
I was telling him I feel that the medical part in treating a patient might not be easy at times, but it's nothing compared to treating the social and mental side of things. Sometimes, you just feel that there's just that limit of things you can do for them, but knowing it will not solve the root of their problems in other aspects. These patients will come back one day, having the same illnesses, having the same mentally-induced problems, and there will never be an end to it. His sentiments exactly. He said that social and mental wellbeing is one that doctors can never help patient to achieve. Doctors can only be there to be a shoulder, a best friend, a listening ear, but they can't save patients in the non-medical way.
He also told me that it's amazing how grateful patients can be towards you at times. There was this patient who came into clinic yesterday and this little old man was telling me how grateful he was towards Dr Jenkins. He had a heart attack 7 years ago at 5am and his wife was helpless. So she rang Dr Jenkins, and he rushed down to their house immediately. When he arrived there, he laid the patient flat on the kitchen table and rang the ambulance. Till today, the patient and his wife are so grateful to him rushing over, and felt that Dr Jenkins was the one who saved his life. When this patient left the consulting room, Dr Jenkins said this is one classic example of how grateful patients can get, and the most amazing thing is....the most grateful patients are the ones who u have done the least/nothing for. Calling the ambulance was something anyone would do, but just that simple call could make patients feel eternally grateful. I guess I do understand Dr Jenkins' point of view, but I do see it from the patient's point of view too. Sometimes, it isn't about someone always being there, but about being there at the right time. But I do think Dr Jenkins is dedicated enough a doctor to wake up at 5am just to rush out of the house to make sure his patient is alright. If I were him, I would do it too.
Another very interesting issue Dr Jenkins talked to me about was his dream after graduation. He said he wanted to go to 3rd world countries to help the needy, and had to take exams before going to Africa, which unfortunately he flunked. He then decided to retake it, but work in a healthcare centre in Ely while doing so. And it was only when he came to Ely that he realised this. It isn't just in Africa that ppl are suffering, but right here in Ely too. He changed his mind about going to Africa since then, and felt an urge to put his ability to good use here instead. This thing he told me got me thinking about it the whole evening.
How true it is. One doesn't have to leave the country to know how much others are suffering. The most obvious things are the ones u tend to neglect and not see. Africa probably appears to be worse off than UK because they are more backward, but that doesn't mean the problems the poor face there aren't the same as those here in UK. Peer pressure, environment, family issues, education...these problems are everywhere.
I tried to think if this is so in Singapore. Singapore looks beautiful on the surface, but what is lying deep beneath the surface is what I'll not know. I'm eager to find out, and maybe this summer, I'll see if I can open up this mystery I have.
I know there are quite a number of socially deprived people in Sg too, but what are the problems and mindsets of these ppl. I should try to get to know them to find out isn't it? Maybe I'll realise...there's a "3rd world" in Singapore too. Maybe then I'll understand Grandaunt's "Help begins at Home", but in another way..haha. Hers was all about me being a financial burden to my parents, and I should give up Medicine and do a course that will earn me big bucks in future, just like my uncle. But I'm going against her...and I hope by doing so this time, I won't ever regret. Help probably begins at Home....Home being Singapore...help being towards those suffering in silence under a said flourishing country.
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