Kindness and Mercy in the Exam Room
Pictured: Dr. Janet Kim and patient inside of an examination room.
This image was captured pre-COVID-19. Please continue to wear your face covering when required.
The staff at Beacon Christian Community Health Center are equipped to bring the healing of Jesus into the exam room through their understanding that man is formed in God’s image, and that “we were created in Christ Jesus to do good works…” (Eph. 2:10, NIV). Sometimes “good works” involve listening with interest and patience to the human being sitting before us.
A compassionate and patient PA recently shared his personal reflection on two physical examinations that were a “forming experience” for him. He said: “I am beyond grateful for the experience I’ve had at Beacon to reinforce the importance of patience, personality, and what it means to be a human being.” Our PA learned firsthand the importance of relationship-based, whole person health care while taking a thorough H&P for a 12-year-old female whose BMI was overweight. This encounter helped him to realize just how important it is to take the time and patience to talk with and listen to each patient.
He recalled the discussion he had had with the girl and her concerned mother. It was revealed that the patient lived a sedentary lifestyle and her diet consisted of eating sugary snacks and drinking copious amounts of soda. The PA took time to offer suggestions on how the patient could adjust her diet and incorporate exercise into her daily routine. He informed the girl of the medical problems that can arise in the future if she does not take better care of her body.
During the discussion, the PA learned that the patient was interested in having a career in healthcare one day. They spent time discussing the various educational requirements and job functions of a PA. Reflecting on the experience, the PA said that “it took additional time to share this information with them,” so “the mother and daughter were very thankful for my help... I have a good feeling that the girl will listen to my advice and that her life will be changed for the better.”
The PA had another forming, relationship-based experience during a physical exam with a 19-year-old male with a PMH of severe, uncontrolled ADHD. The young man stated that he was depressed. His mother had died five years earlier and he was now living with an uncaring aunt. He expressed sadness that he didn’t have any friends or relatives to talk to because “they wouldn’t listen to or understand his deep conversations.” The young man’s loneliness was palpable.
Our PA spent about 30 minutes with the lonely patient having a conversation about the things that “he hadn’t been able to tell anyone else.” Afterward, the young man remarked that he’d never met anyone as patient as the PA, and he was “overjoyed to talk to someone about the ‘deep’ things that nobody would understand.” It is with good reason that the Bible tells us to “be quick to hear, slow to speak…” (James 1:19). The young man needed kindness and mercy, and in the exam room he found a healing touch of mercy as the PA was “quick to hear” and showed him kindness by wholeheartedly listening to him.
Zechariah 7:9-10 says: “show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner or the poor...” (ESV) When this fatherless young man said, “I’m glad someone else gets it and knows what I’m talking about” our PA was given an opportunity to witness to him right there in the exam room. “You can always talk to God,” he told the patient, who had shared that he believes in God, “and pray if you ever need someone to talk to.”
The Bible tells us in Colossians 3:12 to clothe ourselves with “compassionate hearts and kindness.” Our PA - physically clothed in a white coat – also clothed himself with kindness and mercy in the exam room. What a beautiful picture of what it will be like in Heaven in the presence of Jesus when we will be given our white linen garments: “the righteous acts of the saints” Rev.19:8).
Life Application
To what extent do you believe that Christian medical professionals are called to show kindness and mercy during the course of their workday?
Do you consider God’s command in Zechariah 7:9-10 to be applicable to you during your heavy curriculum load?
What kind of bonds are you forming with those in need of kindness and mercy?