A Doctor's Dual Perspective: Lessons from Being Both Patient and Physician
Roland Bull's medical history reads like a dramatic novel, yet it's his real-life journey that offers profound insights into the healthcare system. In 2017, he underwent a spinal procedure where the surgeon operated on the wrong part of his back, leaving him with two herniating intervertebral discs instead of one. During his recovery, he decided to apply for medical school, driven by a desire to contribute as a doctor.
His path was fraught with challenges. He woke up one morning with functional loss in his right foot due to a wayward disc compressing a spinal nerve root, resulting in permanent neurological damage. Later, during final exams for medical school, he experienced a funny turn and was diagnosed with a benign but nasty tumour at the base of his brain, which he eventually had surgically removed after careful consideration.
Straddling the space between doctor and patient has given Bull a unique vantage point to critically examine both experiences. Here, he shares key lessons learned along the way.
Good Bedside Manner Can Be Healing
Some doctors dismiss bedside manner as secondary to clinical knowledge, but Bull argues this is nonsense. As a patient, he always prefers a clinician who is kind, inclusive, and upfront about double-checking information over someone who is abrupt and dismissive, even if they can rapidly recall medical facts.
While the exact impact of positive interpersonal interactions on health is not fully understood, Bull believes it could be profound. Clear, reassuring communication might help ease high blood pressure, and empathy could alleviate pain. He observes daily how kindness and inclusivity encourage patients to participate in their healthcare by asking questions, understanding treatments, adhering to medication regimens, and enhancing health-seeking behaviours for the future, all of which positively impact health outcomes.
Everybody Looks Things Up, and That's Fine
Before his medical career, Bull would sometimes visit his GP and watch with a raised eyebrow as they appeared to Google his ailment. He has heard similar complaints from others, suggesting that with a stable internet connection, GPs might be dispensable. However, he now knows that clinicians in hospitals and specialist clinics also look things up regularly, though they are less likely to be sitting next to patients when doing so.
Medical professionals should look things up because medical science is dynamic and evolving. Guidelines change with new research, and treatments should reflect this. Doctors, like everyone else, sometimes forget details. In Bull's experience, they are usually checking a small part of the bigger picture, such as an obscure anatomical landmark or the correct medication dose. What might seem like a random internet search often directs them to niche subscription websites used only by medical professionals. Double-checking is a safer approach than guessing, and doctors still rely on their training to synthesise information.
The Emergency Department Is Not Necessarily Diagnostic
Years ago, Bull went to the emergency department with excruciating back pain, wanting an MRI to see if something terrible had happened again. The doctors declined, acknowledging something was wrong but reassuring him he showed no signs of permanent functional loss, so they discharged him home to follow up with his GP. At the time, he was furious, but now, with reversed roles, he better understands the decision.
The emergency department is fundamentally a place to rule out or treat medical danger. While people seek diagnostic answers, sometimes the response is that the issue is not life-threatening or likely to cause permanent harm. If patients are well enough, they are sent home to seek further treatment in the community. Uncertainty can be frustrating when unwell, but the health system doesn't always cater to the immediacy of that frustration.
Hospitals Aren't Designed to Be Comfortable
Having spent considerable time in hospitals, Bull understands that their lack of creature comforts can be disappointing. When sick, patients want good food, a warm bed, and a solid night's sleep, but hospitals are often cold, noisy, and far from luxurious. They are designed with safety in mind, featuring monitoring alarms, regular observation checks, scheduled medications, and other patients.
It's probably best that hospitals aren't too appealing, as they harbour hazards not present in the community. Patients might be admitted with one issue, like a broken bone, and pick up others, such as a chest infection or UTI, especially as they age. This underscores the importance of being kind to cleaning staff, who play a crucial role in safety. Not all heroes wear capes; some carry mops and disinfectant wipes.
Health Is Not a Passive Activity
Occasionally, patients ask, "Can you fix me, doc?" as if there's a magic bullet for their ailment. Bull understands the appeal of a quick fix, but he knows better from his own experiences. For most people, health requires maintenance. Doctors can prescribe medications and perform procedures, but patients aren't off the hook.
Staying active, eating a balanced diet, and quitting smoking and alcohol set the foundation for long-term health success. Engagement with allied health teams and mental health services, which a good GP should facilitate, is also vital. This requires cost, access, and effort, which can be challenging when sick, but being an active participant in one's health makes a significant difference in the long term. Modern medicine should serve as a safety net rather than a menu of potential miracles.
Reflecting on his journey, Bull states that given the choice again, he would not have had that first spinal surgery. Instead, he would have gone to physiotherapy, scaled back activities exacerbating the injury, and accessed mental health services when pain peaked. This approach has led to much better health outcomes than the aftermath of the botched operation.
