Is your doctor warm and fuzzy? Does he have the compassion of George Clooney on NBC's hit series "ER"? Or does he have the personality of a chain saw?
Two Canadian physicians think doctors could do better assessing the emotional needs of patients - even if they have to take acting lessons. Their commentary in the British Medical Journal says that once doctors master the art of pretending, the caring becomes an instinctive part of their demeanor.Hey, if they can get Faye Dunaway to believe she's Joan Crawford, acting lessons can certainly prepare a doctor for an office visit.
Can you imagine an improv class at every medical school in the country?
"OK, people, listen up. We're doing improvisations today. We have a 35-year-old female with a rash that causes her discomfort. You're making rounds. You wanna take a crack at it, Mike?"
"What am I wearing?"
"A stethoscope, white jacket, Dockers and clipboard."
"Maybe for a little humor I could wear a T-shirt that reads, "ACTORS ARE SMARTER THAN DIRECTORS; DUMBER THAN CATTLE."
"Work with me on this, Mike. Just stick to the basics."
"What's his motivation?" asks another medical student.
"Money."
"Just fill me in on who I am," says Mike.
"Right now," said the instructor, "you are the most important person in Mrs. Frimshaw's life. She's vulnerable because she is wearing a gown the size of a placemat and she's worried sick about someone feeding her cat, who is home alone."
"I think I got it," said Mike. "Mrs. Frimshaw, as heaven is my witness, you will never itch again."
"Hold it! You don't have to chew the scenery on this one." (overact) "Just keep it natural."
"OK," says the student, "I feel your pain, Mrs. Frimshaw. Can I have a hug?"
"That's too broad. Where did you pull that from?"
"Sally Jessy Raphael. Look, maybe if there was a chair in the room, I could actually sit down and talk with her."
"Are you crazy? You'd be there all day long hearing about her daughter-in-law and the high cost of health insurance. Just deliver the lines with feeling and compassion and hit the door."
"OK, here goes. `Mrs. Frimshaw, I don't have a clue where that rash is coming from. A colleague of mine wants to give it a crack. He'll be by later. That blanket is a nice color on you.' "
"Works for me," shouts the instructor. "I love it! But let's do another take - just to be safe."