Heroes Not Zombies

In Kieran Sweeney’s “Complexity in Primary Care” he quotes from Toon’s “What is Good General Practice?” paper –

The consultation is the patient’s forum for coming to understand her illness, not merely a rational understanding, but an understanding which involves the emotions and which contributes to the growth of the individual.

Oh, how, very, very true.

Print that out. Take it with you next time you have to consult a doctor. That’s what the consultation should be about – it’s YOUR forum, for YOU to gain an understanding of what’s happening in a way that will “contribute to the growth of the individual”.

There’s your standard. Measure your doctor visits against it!