How Do You Feel Jim?
In Star Trek – The Original Series (TOS), McCoy (the doctor) would often ask James T Kirk (Jim – the captain) how he was feeling. What a bizarre notion this is for Australia’s public hospital patients – real concern from a bureaucratic medical professional – now that’s an oxymoron!
I’ve got to say, I have always loved TOS because of this belief in the good of all individuals (and professions). Belief in a good that offers up hope for humanity’s future, not pessimism. Gene Roddenberry (TOS producer/writer) had quite an optimistic vision for our species. If only real doctors would take a page out of his fictional doctor’s book, and ask their patients – “how do you feel”? What a difference that would make to the doctor’s often invasive and unnecessary procedures. Just talking to the patient and asking them such a simple question, could make all the difference to the patient’s medical history and in turn, to their life!
In the meantime, as we wait for medicine to grow out of it’s Spanish Inquisition phase, thank goodness for Bones’ timeless dialog and banter with his patients – especially Kirk. This fictional interaction, still brings a smile to my face in regards to what may come to pass in the far distant future – a future, where hospital doctors boldly go where no one has gone before. ;)
Cheers – Vasilios Theodorakis – May 2011