A machine cannot show kindness

     Radiation cannot show sympathy

     100 years ago there was a pastor, Rev. Campbell Moody, who observed doctors in Changhua tremendously busy at their work, with patients pressing the doctor from every side. He wrote down, "No equipment can compare with a long-suffering kindness." Of course, he knew the importance of such equipment, but it seemed to him that the human factor-kindness-surpassed the equipment in importance!

     I will insert just one comment about clinical medicine. The emphasis on scientific methods of examination of patients is now so great that, as doctors, we forget, or omit, the physical examination of the patient. When I was a medical student, one of my teachers used to say, "Examine your patient from head to foot, otherwise you may miss some information of importance for diagnosis and treatment." I am sure his advice is still valid and I pass it on to you now.

     So what are the human qualities a doctor needs when seeing his patients?

1.	I would put compassion as of first importance. It is a fellow-feeling for the person who is suffering and your strong desire to him if you can. It is best illustrated by the famous story, movingly told by Jesus, of the care of a foreign traveler (a Samaritan) for a man he found left half dead at the side of a lonely road, who had been beaten up by robbers; he had been neglected by his own countrymen, who passed by on the other side of the road.
2.	Kindness . A Taiwan doctor told me he thinks of a patient as a friend, and so he wants to help a friend in trouble. It is the action of helping.
3.	Patience. Not patients, but patience! This is the most difficult thing to learn. The pressures on doctors are sometimes enormous. But patience is a great quality. It includes pau-iong in its meaning.
4.	Doctors should be willing to listen carefully to what the sick person is saying. He should also be sure to explain the illness, and the treatment, to the patient. If not, the patient is confused and discouraged.