A Missão do Médico | Décio Iandoli Jr. | IDE Curitiba 2017

Summary

In this thought-provoking narrative, a doctor reflects on his journey in medicine and the realization that healing goes beyond just diagnosing and treating diseases. He shares his transformation from viewing medicine as a process of saving and curing to understanding his role as a supportive partner in his patients' healing. By listening to the patient and truly understanding them, he embraces a more compassionate, empathetic approach, focusing on aiding and empowering patients rather than offering simplistic solutions. The doctor’s new perspective shifts the focus from curing to human connection, emphasizing the importance of empathy and collaboration in the healing process.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker reflects on a moment where a patient challenges the typical doctor-patient dynamic by asking the doctor to diagnose her without telling her symptoms first, making him reconsider his role.
• 😀 The speaker recalls the symbol on his medical graduation invitation that portrayed a heroic image of a surgeon, which influenced his initial idealistic views of the medical profession.
• 😀 As the speaker advanced in his medical career, he realized that saving and curing patients were not always possible, leading to a shift in focus from diseases to understanding the patients as individuals.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes the difference between treating diseases and treating people. Medicine often treats labels, not the person behind the disease.
• 😀 The speaker discusses the limitations of medical diagnostics and treatments, noting that if it were as simple as diagnosing and prescribing, an app could replace doctors.
• 😀 In homeopathy, treatments are not based on diseases but on the person, highlighting the importance of individualized care.
• 😀 The speaker notes that the key to better medical care is to focus on understanding the person, not just the disease, stressing the need for doctors to listen to their patients.
• 😀 A study shows that in routine consultations, patients speak for only 16 seconds before the doctor starts asking questions, indicating the need for better listening practices in medicine.
• 😀 The speaker teaches a course on 'listening' (escutatória) for medical students, helping them understand the patient’s personal story before making a diagnosis.
• 😀 The speaker concludes that being a doctor is about partnering with patients, helping them find their own healing, rather than positioning oneself as an omnipotent healer.
• 😀 The speaker now greets patients with 'very pleased to see you' and begins consultations by asking, 'How can I help you?' signaling a shift in approach to more collaborative and compassionate care.

Q & A

What prompted the doctor to question his role as a physician?

The doctor questioned his role after a patient casually remarked, 'Of course not, otherwise I wouldn’t be here,' when asked 'How are you?' This comment made the doctor reflect on his purpose and what he was truly meant to do as a physician.

How did the doctor's perspective on curing and saving patients evolve over time?

Initially, the doctor believed his mission was to cure and save patients. However, after observing that patients with the same diagnosis reacted differently to treatments, he realized that curing and saving were not always within his control. His role shifted to assisting and supporting patients rather than viewing himself as the sole agent of healing.

Why does the doctor believe the medical profession focuses too much on diseases rather than patients?

The doctor believes that the medical profession often treats diseases rather than the people who have them. He emphasizes that diseases are not active entities that can make decisions or take actions, but rather, it's the individuals who are living with the disease that need attention.

What does the doctor mean by 'There are no diseases, only patients'?

The doctor is highlighting that medical treatments should focus on the person as a whole, rather than just the disease itself. This approach acknowledges the individuality of each patient and their unique circumstances, which can influence their health outcomes.

How does the doctor view the relationship between doctor and patient in terms of treatment?

The doctor views the relationship as a partnership. Rather than positioning himself as an omnipotent figure who cures, he sees his role as helping and supporting the patient in finding their own path to healing, acknowledging that the patient is ultimately responsible for their recovery.

What change in approach does the doctor implement in his consultations with patients?

Instead of asking 'How are you?' as a standard greeting, the doctor now asks, 'What can I do to help you?' This reflects his shift in perspective from a professional who merely diagnoses and treats to one who partners with the patient in their healing process.

How does the doctor use the concept of 'escutatória' in his medical practice?

The doctor teaches medical students a technique called 'escutatória,' which emphasizes listening to patients. He encourages them to listen to patients for extended periods without interrupting, helping them better understand the person behind the illness and form a more accurate diagnosis.

What is the role of the physician according to the doctor's reflection on his medical training?

The doctor reflects that his medical training, which focused on curing and saving, was not entirely aligned with the reality of medicine. He concludes that his role is to assist and support the patient, rather than viewing himself as the sole person responsible for healing.

What is the significance of the doctor’s experience with his medical school’s graduation emblem?

The emblem from the doctor's medical school, featuring a heroic surgeon, initially shaped his perception of medicine. It symbolized the idea of saving lives through surgical prowess. However, over time, he realized this perspective was incomplete, as medicine is not just about curing, but also understanding and helping people.

How does the doctor describe the nature of healing, according to his understanding of Jesus' approach?

The doctor references Jesus' approach to healing, noting that Jesus acknowledged that healing came from the individual’s faith, not from the healer. This aligns with the doctor’s belief that true healing comes from within the patient, and the physician’s role is to support and guide, rather than directly heal.