The power of a gesture

The title should say it all really

What do we define as a gesture in medicine

I was told earlier this week by one of my resident doctors I did something that defined me differently to them

What did I do differently?

I did something for a patient which to me wasn't anything too momentous, but did it connect us in that moment? Well yes it did!

We as doctors are trained to retain lots of medical knowledge

We are trained to impart that knowledge into defined management plans

We are also trained in communication, we are also let loose to take these skills forward in real time with patients and relatives

We've learnt a lot over time, but how we do come across makes all the difference between having a real connect to the other extreme of being the punching bag.

Both however are moments to learn from, moments to not forget but also knowing we won't always get it right but knowing our own shortcomings.

Coming back to gestures, which I think come more naturally to us in geriatric medicine as it's a group of patients who at their most vulnerable will present with an array of emotions. I imagine this would be similar in most specialties if you know your client group well.

So my gesture of this week....

It was following an assessment of an older gentleman I had met a few weeks ago before his pending operation. I met him again after the operation but in a clinical state, where he wasn't reacting well to his family and not really engaged with therapy. My team were doing all the right steps, treating him as expected.

There is always a tendency to look for a cause. Infection, reduced intake and then a battery of tests to go along with that.

So I asked him how he was.

Did ask him to forgive my Hindi skills in the first instance!

Suggested a few steps we would take to manage some symptoms, and as I walked away, the family suggested can they bring in a samosa for him. I said this is never a no and the staple of our meals especially in hospital . He also has a sweet tooth, so I said I would get him an ice cream of his choice.

I don't think he believed me. I got him his icecream. It became a better day for him. He asked the staff to wait until he had finished his icecream.

This is my kind of person.....

I'm now obliged to get everyone an ice cream in that bay! That includes the staff as well! it won't be a no!

So when you next meet a colleague, see your first patient of the next working day or meet that relative, think about your next gesture will be

That gesture could be in the treatment you offer, the drink you have with a colleague or the words you offer for comfort, reassurance & guidance as needed.

I look forward to hearing about the gestures my friends and colleagues will have in mind for this upcoming week

And I'm apologising in advance, mine will not involve the World Cup or talking football. I'm definitely no expert!