But, let me be very clear about this – not all bad news is bad. Let me explain.
Often I am left with telling people that the worst news that I have for them, is that they can go home! (Doctor humour, obviously). Seriously, that’s the worst news that I can come up with. But, here’s the tough part – giving them the good news. “The good news is…… I can’t find anything wrong”. Here comes trouble!
The way I see it, that is good news. Despite all my questioning, examination, labs, CT/xrays/ultrasounds etc I can’t find ANYTHING that is going to hurt you today and yes, you can actually go home. You may think that you’re dying, but today is not your day. Think about that for a moment.
Can you say that in your daily life, that you are burdened with that much responsibility? Someone else’s life? I am not being an elitist, but I just want you to understand what’s going on in my head, when I make that decision: that you can go home. Personally, I think it is a huge decision, and one not to be taken lightly.
There is a standard joke amongst ER docs: “hey, remember that guy you sent home yesterday….” and it sends chills down your spine because it’s always followed by some bad news. And this, we definitely take personally.
But we are human, and “to err is human”. Medicine is not a profession of 100 percent certainty 100 percent of the time – not here, not anywhere, and it never will be. Now, I can’t speak for all my medical colleagues, but I take work seriously, and with that I also take the welfare of my patients seriously too.
So, if we ever meet, and I give you the “bad” news, try and be positive and see it as a good thing. There is always someone out there who won’t be as fortunate.
