The Compliment

Today I had a patient tell me I was one of the best doctors he'd had so far.

Mr S was a patient who'd been in my ward for 5 weeks. He was young, smart and articulate.

He was also HIV positive, and we were treating him for complications of the disease. At the moment, he'd succumbed to the infection and was only recently blind. I couldn't help but pity him - a young man with many years ahead of him, only to have his vision taken away in the peak of his life.

I always enjoyed talking to him during my morning rounds, and I could tell by the way his ears picked up that he was listening of the clack of my shoes against the stone floor. I had fun trying to walk softer so I could surprise him and we always got a laugh out of it.

It wasn't difficult to listen to his thoughts, his concerns. It wasn't difficult to relate to the fears he was going through, and yet, somehow, this young man managed to maintain a positive face throughout. He never failed to tug at my heart strings.

It meant a lot to me that he thought I was good.

I am far from a good doctor - I am not the smartest or the fastest doctor around, but my only advantage is the fact that I take time out to listen to my patients. I am lucky that I have had the opportunity to work with some truly fantastic doctors - I have had some truly inspirational specialists and medical officers who have been amazing, and I am thankful I've had that sort of exposure.

I am not good, but I am learning.

Thanks Mr S.

You made my day.