To our care givers- Doctors' real colleagues

As a wannabe doctor, a junior medical student dreams of operating upon a patient or ordering a test or writing a prescription for his future patients. It is with great aspirations that one fantasizes about these things, including but not limited to passing orders to those reporting to oneself when one thinks of being in the doctor's position. At that stage there is a vicarious pride in visualizing such a situation. For such a medical student, the sense of anticipating great personal power is there but the same is not true of the irrefutable accompanying responsibility at that nascent stage in one's career.

Well, most doctors-in-training ultimately do mature and there are very few conceited doctors that are still evident beyond a certain age. Yet, even at this mature stage, doctors are rarely, if ever, involved in administering continuous care to patients under their supervision. Doctors hardly have to administer injections or nurse their patients. Rightfully there is a support staff to do these duties. Even if once in a while doctors have to take up the role of their support staff, it is momentary and perhaps gratifying. It is considered as a feather of virtuous humility in the doctor's virtual cap.

Any parent who has nursed a sick child through the night will testify that such care giving is extremely draining. Now try to visualize that situation happening over and over again during every day you report for duty. Just how awfully exhausting could it be for the minds and bodies of the support staff. If you have ever had such a demanding situation at home, you will gladly exchange any other professional role in the hierarchy of health care for that of an immediate care giver. It is amazing to see nurses, assistants and attendants smile and greet doctors on rounds, often in quick succession, through the day.

Two groups of people should spare a kind thought for the support staff involved in any long term care facility: the doctors and the relations of the infirm. For the patient, meaningful life is restored as a result of the daily caring and loving ministrations of the support staff and not just the doctor's wise orders. Next time a nurse smiles at you, smile back to her for this reason alone. It will be a different smile, both, yours and hers!