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

Comments

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...

Parallel Universe : BCT Series XXX

  Two moments in the ED this week made me realize that I come from a parallel universe. One involved a teenage patient who had applied bronzer that I found while cleaning her skin for a IV cannula which left me surprised as I come from a part of the world where teenagers paint their skin with whitening agents to look more attractive. The second moment was during my teaching session on Organophosphorous poisoning, where I wondered if my accent was causing disengagement . However, I learned that it was simply a rare presentation of organophosphorous poisoning in this part of the world. It felt like I was narrating my adventures from a tropical trek! Have you ever had a moment where your cultural background clashed with your environment ?

Lifesupport Courses : BCT Series XXXI

   I  struggled to a complete my ALS bit more than ACLS. ALS and ACLS are advanced lifesupport courses. "ACLS was a cakewalk , why are you struggling here? "Voice in my head kept playing.My mind was a bit more confused . I wondered why my flow was not smooth. We were allotted mentors during the session , they took some time out to practice with me separately where I realised I was mixing subtle things from ACLS with ALS. The defibrillation steps, some of the management. The defibrillator we used back in India was different and the safety issues there were different. Despite having cleared MRCEM OSCE where you do ALS , this was different.Probably because it was appropriate in that setting and the machinery there was familiar. Reflecting from it I realised that my mind was UNLEARNING and RELEARNING. There were times where there was a shortcircuit and fireworks. There is no perfect way of doing things, its what works as per your situation and setting.