just got back home from the med library. it was the usual route back, through the western infirmary and across the street to my house. however, today was a little different. the rain started to get heavier and a woman dashed across the road to the other hospital block. i thought it was just another lady trying to get out of the rain, but she was embracing a man on the other side who was crying his hearts out. it then dawned upon me that there was a congregation of people hugging primarily this guy and another woman who were wailing so loudly that i could hear them through my earphones. you guys can probably guess what happened to them.
it was a depressing sight and it got me really affected. for a moment, i felt useless. i know that i am a passer-by and i probably could not have done anything to alleviate his/her situation. hence, i felt helpless. honestly, what could i have done to help?
then my thoughts drifted to the idea of stoicism. a value that is sidelined at times in the medical profession, but holds just as much weightage as other 'more important' values like compassion, altruism and professionalism. how can one remain stoic upon seeing such an upsetting sight? that is definitely something i must try to work on soon. it is difficult for me to understand the equilibrium of compassion and stoicism. a perfect strike of balance between the extremes...
well, i have heard of doctors excelling in the 'perfect balance', but that means losing their capacity to contain genuine compassion and putting on a compassionate facade. that seems to be the most common practice or so i have heard and read. there's nothing really wrong with that (on the patient's end) as being as such accommodates the needs of the patient. however, that equates to the loss in the true essence of being a doctor. this is taking me no where. i shall stop now.
byebye.
