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TEACHING COMPASSIONATE CARE

The UC San Diego Medical School is training its graduates to provide care beyond good technical and clinical skills.  Doctors must be able to relate to anyone who walks or is carried in the door, whether it is a 90-year-old grandmother or a teenage drug addict.  They learn to accept involvement in the real life drama of patients’ lives whether it is listening to them, comforting them, prescribing for them, or simply feeling compassion for them.

The best doctors understand that connection to the patient is part of the treatment.  Compassion requires of them than if they simply prescribe with detachment.

GOOD MEDICINE REQUIRES CONNECTION

I change doctors if I feel he or she does not listen to me.  The best medical care for both my parents was through caregivers and healthcare providers who maintained their connection.

One of the lessons I learned as a caregiver is that it is impossible to be a good caregiver if you do not feel.  You cannot simply do the tasks of caregiving.  Yes, it does take more out of you, but it also gives back much more in return.  I only became a good caregiver when I relaxed into caregiving with all of its feelings.