Skip to main content

Planning patient care over a Cup of Coffee :BCT Series I

Hello everyone



 In this first article of the BCT Series, I share a heartwarming incident that took place in a clinical setting, reminding me of the power of empathy and human connection.



A Caffeine-Free Decision

Let me preface this by mentioning a somewhat peculiar fact about myself – I avoid caffeine in any form for the past eight years. So, you can imagine my surprise when I decided to brew a cup of coffee for not one, but two patients in the hospital today .Lets share one.

It wasn't an impulsive decision. Instead, it was a response to the circumstances that unfolded before me. The lady I made the coffee for had been suffering from a chronic health condition for decades. She was alone, with no family by her side, and visibly upset by the slow pace of the healthcare system.

An Unexpected Gesture

I'm not entirely sure why I decided to make coffee that day. I do not know how to make one! I thought of doing it in the hospital while on shift for someone else ( Strange!) It wasn't my job. However, as I stood in front of the coffee maker, I realized that sometimes, a simple gesture of kindness can make all the difference.

When I handed her the coffee cup, she had tears in her eyes. "Nobody has been as kind as you lately," she said, her voice trembling with emotion. I watched as a small act of brewing coffee transformed her day.

The Power of Connection

It's incredible how a single cup of coffee can become a symbol of human connection. In the UK, I've noticed that people are often generous with compliments and expressions of gratitude. In this instance, the lady described the coffee as "delicious," but what truly mattered was the kindness and empathy behind it.

In a clinical setting where medical treatments and protocols are the primary focus, this experience taught me that sometimes, it's the moments of genuine connection that have the most significant impact on a person's well-being.

 It started with a cup of coffee, a simple choice to extend a hand of kindness to someone in need. 

In the chapters that follow, I look forward to sharing more stories, insights, and reflections from my journey in the University of Life.

So far so much

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Experience Based Co Design : BCT Series XXIX

  "Experience-Based Co-Design" we have all witnessed its essence unknowingly . My family home is the example I can reflect on .Growing up I didn't like how my house was designed. We (the whole extended family) wanted my dad to sell the house . Dad let his architect friend design our house and would not sell his house (for obvious reasons!). Mum had to balance out the situation so she decided to make small changes. So, it was one change idea each year .She would talk to us individually and listen to our perspective and review her sphere of influence and the impact /utility the idea had.For my siblings the colors were not welcoming while I pointed the flooring. Mum wanted the stairs to be personalised. My grandparents wanted certain conveniences around the toilets. It took her about 4-5 years to make the house a home that was acceptable . From color preferences to spatial arrangements, each family member contributed insights. The lovely thing about it was , the keystakehold...
6 comments
Read more

" Consulting a psychiatrist would be a question mark on my spirituality " Said the patient.

Hello everybody  I hope everybody is safe and healthy. it's been a while that I've been receiving lot of patients in the emergency with mental illness ,thought of sharing an incident of its kind. Not sure if its the awareness of mental health these days or the pandemic, I am developing keen interest in patients with mental illness .I try to take an extra effort to make them feel comfortable and try to create an insight of what is happening and offer them options of what all can be done.  Since this it seems like a step towards patient care , I thought I'd share it here as well. This would probably not be the best approach but I welcome any type of constructive criticism , additions or subtraction to my approach because end of the day we are here for best patient care. A 50 years plus old gentleman ,presented to the emergency with the complaints of chest pain radiating to left arm , breathing difficulty, choking sensation in the throat, inability to open his ey...
28 comments
Read more

MRCEM OSCE preparation and resources

Hello people Since I have cleared my OSCE in one go, I feel it's my duty to journal what all I have done to make it work.(humble brag).Thanks to ChatGPT for helping me pile up some humble generic sentence to make this blog wholesome.(Just kidding). The MRCEM OSCE exam is an integral part of the qualification which tests the clinical and communication skills of candidates. For Indian students pursuing this qualification, preparing for the MRCEM OSCE exam may seem daunting. However, with a few tips that helped me sail through fine. The thing that helped me the most is acclimatizing myself to the UK Clinical Setting Before appearing for the MRCEM OSCE exam, it is imperative for Indian students to understand the clinical setting in the UK. Sometimes , all they want to see is how you behave , your body language, your tone , and your organising skills. Diagnosis is not a critical thing here. You will not fail if you get a wrong diagnosis provided that you have done it systematically. So ...
2 comments
Read more