Genes are not really our genes. It is we who belong to them for a few decades

From OHCM and Thomas Browne, Religio Medici, 1642: "We all labor against our own cure; for death is the cure of all diseases."

Most patients are told less than they want. Yet nothing you can say to your patient can ever be relied upon to tame death's mystery.

Death is nature's master stroke, albeit a cruel one, because it allows genotypes space to try on new phenotypes. Our bodies and minds are these perishable phenotypes.

The genes are not really our genes. It is we who belong to them for a few decades.

These are excerpts from the Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine. Read more on page 6-7:



The OHCM mentions JS Bach's cantata in contemplation of death Ich habe genug (I've had enough):

Good communication makes our work interesting, richer and deeper

Good communication makes our work interesting, richer and deeper. But empathy may dry up over time, hence the need to refresh/recharge periodically.

The most open question is "How are you?" The direction a patient chooses offers valuable information during this first "golden" minute in which you are silent.

Share management plans: "What can we do about this"? Unless you become patient-centered, your patient may never be satisfied with you, or fully cooperative.

Every hospital has a department of reflection. It exists in your mind, don't forget to visit there from time to time.

These are excerpts from the Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine. Read more on page 4, Asking questions:



Here is the famous Cleveland Clinic video "Empathy: The Human Connection to Patient Care: Patient care is more than just healing -- it's building a connection that encompasses mind, body and soul. If you could stand in someone else's shoes . . . hear what they hear. See what they see. Feel what they feel. Would you treat them differently?"

How to avoid doctor dependency

How to avoid doctor dependency:

Buy stuff over the counter
Take advice from grandma
Use self-made remedies, e.g. lemon and honey or sensible complementary therapies
Team up with people with the same condition for mutual support
Augment your own mental health and resilience
Rest or exercise
Eat a sensible diet

These are excerpts from the Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine:



Reply to comment below:

Yes, the OHCM is great. It's probably one of the most valuable medical textbooks I have ever encountered, It pays off to re-read it from time, at least with every new edition. I have recommended it to residents and students here in the US but Pocket Medicine and other handbooks are more popular here.

"Don't go so fast: we're in a hurry!"

"Don't go so fast: we're in a hurry!" -- Talleyrand to his coachman. Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord (1754–1838) was a French bishop, politician and diplomat. Due to a lame leg, he was not able to pursue the military career that had originally been foreseen for him by his family. Instead he studied theology. Unique in his own age and a phenomenon in any, Charles-Maurice, Prince de Talleyrand, was a statesman of outstanding ability and extraordinary contradictions. He was a world-class rogue who held high office in five successive regimes.

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From OHCM: "We aim to encourage the doctor to enjoy his patients: in doing so we believe he will prosper in the practice of medicine."

Aim to:

- reassure
- treat
- refer
- palliate

These are excerpts from the Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine:



References:

Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://buff.ly/1LfmuUV
Amazon.com: Talleyrand (9780802137678): Duff Cooper: Books http://buff.ly/1Lfmvs5