Thread by @docbhooshan

#Thread

This picture shows one of the most poignant moments in doctor's/nurse's working life. The moment when patient passes away.
(I don't know name of the painter)

Now a days, most of us choose hospital as our place of transition. It is very rare for people to breathe their last at home in their own bed with dear ones standing by.

Most people have no experience of being witness of this moment of passing away. And for us medical professionals, unfortunately, it is a frequent experience.

Giving your best and still facing the ultimate harsh reality of end of life is a disturbing experience. When the patient is a young person or someone "much before their time" , it is deeply disturbing for the whole team.

A patient is never just a diagnosis. Doctors and nurses know them as people. We are often the last people they talk to.

Realisation of end, last few pushes of medicines and CPR, final acceptance of the inevitable and ordering "stop CPR" is a burden that doctors carry everyday.
Tired quiet moment of that declaration is most sacred.

How team feels about it , decides how they go home as regular human beings and continue work again the very next moment.

To go back to care for the living.

Declaring death has become life threatening activity for doctors in recent times fuelled by serious misgivings about this profession and political mismanagement.

Once upon a time as a neurosurgical resident, i have been in this situation. Then it felt like a huge privilege to have this professional responsibility to be with a real person in their final moments and then after a brief moment of introspection, attending to next patient.

Now fortunately, as a Child Psychiatrist, this is not my lot anymore.

But I know that these final moments have forged my soul as a doctor.

🙏