Meet a Brazilian patient in one of my previous shifts. He seemed distraught and has some shoulder pain, along with some superficial scratches on his elbow.
I know from the start that his problems were minor, but still I examined, advised and reassured him. He wanted to exchange numbers at the end of the consult, and seemed very grateful. He even invited me to go to Brazil for 2014's world cup, and said that he will play host to me.
2 days later he called me to tell me that his shoulder is all better, and was quite thankful. He even said that he regretted not knowing me earlier so that he could invite me to his birthday dinner that passed. Nice guy. If only more of the patients are like that.
Reassurance is a very powerful tool.
