You Will Have a New Life

Adi Finkelstein

doi:10.1370/afm.2181

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An Important Lesson for Family Medicine
Ruth Kannai

Published on: 19 March 2018

Published on: (19 March 2018)
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An Important Lesson for Family Medicine
Ruth Kannai, Family Physician
Almost half of the population has at least one chronic disease. But not all the patients that suffer from the same diagnosis share the same illness experience. Making a diagnosis is a challenge to medical doctors, but understanding the patient's suffering, needs and hopes is a greater challenge to 21st century medicine. In Dr Adi Finkelstein's narrative she reminds us that every medical professional should listen carefu...
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Almost half of the population has at least one chronic disease. But not all the patients that suffer from the same diagnosis share the same illness experience. Making a diagnosis is a challenge to medical doctors, but understanding the patient's suffering, needs and hopes is a greater challenge to 21st century medicine. In Dr Adi Finkelstein's narrative she reminds us that every medical professional should listen carefully and learn humbleness: We do not know exactly how our interventions will work at the individual patient's level. Statements such as: "You will feel great", "it will not hurt you at all", and "you will have a new life", should be said carefully, if at all. On the contrary: the doctor should ask the patient: What is quality of life for you? What are your expectations of the treatment or procedure? How do you imagine living a healthy life with your chronic situation? We should empower the patient to cope with her disability in her own way, using her own forces and support systems. We, physicians, are just one of those systems. Our suggestions for therapy are not likely to generate miracles. As family physicians, one of our greater privileges is the continuity of care. Another advantage of our profession is seeing the patient as a whole person: body, mind, spirit. Dr Finkelstein reminds us, that we do not correct colon damage, or improve gastrointestinal function. We help the whole person live the life he wants and can live.
Competing interests: Dr Finkelstein is a colleague as a teacher in the Medical Humanities program at the Hadassah Hebrew University Medical School
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Competing Interests: None declared.