By: Zal Press
I’m looking at 4 vibrant young faces as we gather around a rectangular formation of tables in a small, bland meeting room that I found uncomfortable and opposed to my nature. I’ve made a habit of never sitting at the proverbial “head” of the table. Not at home or away. The implication of authority contradicts my principle of equity. I didn’t change my habit for this meeting either and found the “square” didn’t work. I much prefer a circle. Easier to see faces.
In education, though, there’s always an authority. There’s judgement and punishment and there’s always some arbitrary rule whether fair or not. Education isn’t a democracy. Nowhere is that more true than in medical education. Its culture is hierarchical, severe, strict, and breeds conformity. With the exception, of course, of this Health Mentor program which is at the leading edge of change in the approach to life science education.
These inquisitive young faces peppered me with questions about my relationship with health providers. I emphasized that the most important thing that happened over a period of 32 years was the transfer and realignment of the power balance in the relationship. It wasn’t an easy transition at times, for either me or them, but over time, the definition of authority is what really changed.
That definition doesn’t imply that I became the authority. On the contrary. It’s the objective of improving my health that is the driving mission of the relationship. No individual has authority. Decision making is collaborative and choices are respected. Even bad ones. Truth to the mission is the only authority.
These faces, so alive with the innocence necessary to change the world, will learn that there is a singular authority in the relationship for healthcare providers. It’s what I call the “Joy of Suffering”.
Healthcare is all about suffering. Everyday of their professional lives they will come into contact with people who are in pain and anguish, fear and anxiety. In order for them to do their job well they’ll need to get close to these people. They will share the suffering, the fear, and they will grieve and mourn along with them.
I know it doesn’t sound too tempting so far, but getting closer to these people and sharing their experience is where the joy is. For these budding young professionals, there is a great reward waiting for them in the knowledge that their human equipment is being used to benefit another human being. Sure, the closer they get to those in pain the more they’ll suffer along with them. But if they want to do without the suffering, they’ll do without the enormous joy.
The theory of the Joy of Suffering enables me to predict that, in the future, I’ll read the tales of practice written in tears and smiles on these warm, caring faces.
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Health Mentor – Season One – Episode 3 – Zal
By: Zal Press The word "stigma" makes my blood boil. The session started out with questions about my hospital discharge experiences. For the first 6-8 years of my illness I was in and out of hospital like a revolving door. On discharge I would be visited by a dietician who would give me a standard "low residue" list of foods. Basically stuff to stay away from that would get stuck in my gut and give me an obstruction. The amusing part of this list is that it was the same one year after year and became increasingly blurry as a Read More…
Tagged Under: interdisciplinary, marginalization, mentor, narrative, professionalism, safety, season one, stigma, university of toronto -
Health Mentor – Season One – Episode 3 – Annette
By: Annette McKinnon I arrived for the final session and had no trouble finding the students. Because of bad weather and flu 2 were missing so the remaining three started with the questions. This module was about Patient and Client Safety, so in a way, with no hospital stays and discharges I have had it easier than some. We got into a discussion of how the ordinary preventative medicine can be overlooked in a patient with chronic illness when the focus is always on the main problem. Referrals are not always made to associated disciplines either when all of the Read More…
Tagged Under: interdisciplinary, mentor, narrative, professionalism, safety, season one, university of toronto -
Health Mentor – Season One – Episode 1 – Jennifer
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Tagged Under: interdisciplinary, mentor, narrative, season one, stigma, university of toronto -
Health Mentor – Season One – Episode 2 – Annette
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Tagged Under: ethics, interdisciplinary, mentor, narrative, professionalism, season one, university of toronto -
Health Mentor – Season One – Episode 2 – Zal
By: Zal Press I’m looking at 4 vibrant young faces as we gather around a rectangular formation of tables in a small, bland meeting room that I found uncomfortable and opposed to my nature. I’ve made a habit of never sitting at the proverbial “head” of the table. Not at home or away. The implication of authority contradicts my principle of equity. I didn’t change my habit for this meeting either and found the “square” didn’t work. I much prefer a circle. Easier to see faces. In education, though, there’s always an authority. There’s judgement and punishment and there’s always Read More…
Tagged Under: authority, interdisciplinary, joy, mentor, narrative, power, season one, suffering -
Health Mentor – Season One – Episode 1 – Chrystal
By: Chrystal Gomes I was nervous. This was the first time I was to be a Health Mentor. Although I had shared “my story” time and time again, this was going to be different. This time, it could, and hopefully would, make a real difference within the context of a future medical community. My biggest dilemma: How much do I share? Do I share the good, the bad, AND the ugly? I was so nervous, I arrived at the building downtown one hour early. I stopped in at the coffee shop across the street for a comforting French Vanilla Cappuccino. Read More…
Tagged Under: interdisciplinary, mentor, narrative, season one, university of toronto -
Health Mentor – Season One – Episode 1 – Annette
By: Annette McKinnon It is interesting to be a Health Mentor and talk to students in various disciplines who will ultimately have to work together for the good of the whole patient. You have some great ideas Zal, for engagement. I told my group that there was a "Patient Commando" out there and I have no doubt you are much discussed, even as we speak. I think that in the past when I participated I talked too much - I am learning to shut up and answer the questions so that things can proceed better. The students were very interested Read More…
Tagged Under: interdisciplinary, mentor, narrative, season one, university of toronto -
Health Mentor – Season One – Episode 1 – Zal
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Tagged Under: hope, interdisciplinary, mentor, narrative, season one, university of toronto