Last week, I was reminded of
something he once said – ‘listen to people and treat people as you find
them. There is an inherent goodness in most people. Don’t pre-judge people –
that was me Mam’s advice anyway’. I try to have a very similar outlook on
life and relationships. I have long tried to practise the Carl Rogers concept
of ‘unconditional positive regard’. I say tried, as sometimes I have
found it very difficult to be non-judgmental and accepting (and caring) in
response to someone’s behaviour, motives or decision making.
When I find myself struggling in
this regard, I have to mentally take a step backward, pause and try and understand
why the situation and person has evoked such a response. The latest round of doctors’
industrial action is a good example. Most of the doctors I have come across in
my career are good people. They use the skills and knowledge acquired over many
years of experience to care for others. They are there for us, when we are
unable to care for ourselves and need help.
However, such an embedded way of
being feels a long way from a decision to take industrial action, in the full
knowledge of the consequence this might have for so many people. Often people
who might have been waiting a long time for the help and care the doctors could
provide.
I’m not being political, but the challenge
to my unconditional positive regard for my medical colleagues was made more difficult
last week. I found out that, whilst the British Medical Association (BMA) was
demanding a pay rise of around 26% for resident doctors, they were offering a
below inflation pay rise of 2.75% to their own staff. The BMA do so on the
basis they cannot afford a higher pay rise due to the pressures on their budget.
The last five-day resident doctors’ strike was estimated to have cost the NHS
£300 million. Over the past three years, there have been 15 separate periods of
industrial action, estimated to have cost the NHS some £3 billion. This is money
that is not in individual NHS organisation’s budgets and adds to the pressure
of having to make savings.
It appears it is perhaps not just
me, who is struggling with the reasoning behind the current industrial action.
Last week a YouGov poll showed that 55% of the public opposed the resident doctors’
industrial action. Whilst the recent British Social Attitudes Survey
showed a marginal improvement in people’s levels of satisfaction with the NHS,
waiting times and access to primary care were still top of the concerns reported.
Of course there are always at
least two sides to every situation. My struggles over my medical colleagues’ decisions
are mirrored in my struggles at times in understanding the government’s
response. Consultation and negotiation will lead to consensus and agreement far
quicker than threats, prescription and criticism of the doctors. I hope all interested
parties can once again get around the table and start talking. Keep talking
would be my message.
Last week, I was fortunate to be
part of a great conversation between a doctor and his patient. I wasn’t the
patient, but someone I care for very much, was. It was their first encounter
and right from the off, it was clear that the doctor’s focus was on the patient.
He listened, he gently questioned, and carefully summarised and allowed the
patient to tell her story.
Unconditional positive regard
starts with the individual. We are all unique and we should remember and
embrace this concept. What impressed me last week, was the way the doctor made
this a reality for his patient. Despite the patient experiencing a life-changing
event, accepting themselves for who they were now was a big step forward. Take
home message for me was, whilst medical records and diagnosis are important – listen
to the person in front of you and treat them as you find them.