INDEXING TITLE:

NALUDINO'S MAR (5-05)

 

TITLE:

"Learning the Hard Way"

PERIOD OF MEDICAL OBSERVATION: April 2005

NARRATION:

I was walking along the corridor of our ward when I was approached by a middle aged woman. She looked me in the face and asked if I remember her. Looking at her, I can honestly say that I didn't know her. Having been put in an awkward situation, I told her that I have a vague recollection of her. I then gave her a second look and saw that this woman had just undergone an MRM.

Then the woman looked at me straight in the eye and said that I was the first doctor to see her at the OPD. I allegedly told her that she had no palpable breast mass. Then she told me, "Dahil sa iyo, naging stage two ako."


INSIGHTS: (discovery, STIMULUS, reinforcement) (physical, psychosocial, ethical)

As surgery residents we encounter a multitude of patients. We remember some of them but most escape our memories. One thing we do not forget are the lessons we learn from each and every patient.

I honestly do not remember the day that I saw the patient nor the circumstances surrounding my working impression at that time. There may or there may not have been a palpable breast mass. I may have overlooked something obvious.

My encounter with this patient showed that I still have much to learn. Each and every patient we see is a learning experience. We must make the most out of each patient see. Treat them as best as we could, and thank them for allowing us to learn from them.