Conversing with Life: Angry, Anxious, Altercation

Sunday, May 21, 2006

Angry, Anxious, Altercation

We meet all kinds of patients.

And we dread the angry ones. Especially if the relatives are angry too.

Ever been surrounded by 10 relatives and one upset patient? It's not pleasant.

But stay calm. In the face of such anger and anxiety.

Afterall, we were taught how to handle angry relatives in our clinical OSCEs.

Sure, there'll be scoldings, hurtful words. Humiliation may be felt.

But ultimately, the first thing is for everyone to stay calm. And the first thing to do is to be calm yourself.

Just remember that the anger, anxiety comes from concern.

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Nobody likes to be poked with a needle. Much less so, if the orders are for daily FBC.

Sometimes doubt may surface when patients are angry at you for venepuncturing them daily. And it's even more acutely felt when they express doubt in your skill as a doctor.

It's easy to feel: "If I didn't have to, I wouldn't want to spend time venepuncturing you also."

Nobody likes to be poked with a needle. I don't like to be poking you everyday too.

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It's a thankless job.