You received a referral to see this patient, from a paying class ward, regarding poor oral intake and to order dietary supplements. When you enter the room, you are greeted with a scene of an angry relative who starts screaming at you, upon your self introduction. This relative questions the efficiency of the hospital in obtaining some dietary supplement for the patient, who is in pallative care. The relative is angry that the dietary supplement has not been supplied to the patient since her admission on Sunday. The relative starts insulting and belittling your profession and threatens to send in a complaint to the CEO.
How will you react?
This a real case scenario that happened to me. During the entire confrontation, I could feel myself heating up and wanting to refute with whatever the relative was saying. Since the relative was so angry, nothing I said would have mattered and the solution that I offered at that time was to ensure that dietary supplement will be send up to the patient by the end of the day. I left the room upon the relative saying, "GO!" and wanting to use the four letter F word! I was so emotional at that point that I was not even thinking rationally.
This is my first encounter since I entered the dietetics profession 3 months ago and I anticipate more to come. However, in situation(s) like this, we all can choose how we want to response to the stimulus. I read in the first chapter of the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey, the author mentioned that there are many factors that can affect how we choose to respond to the stimulus, which I do not want to go into details. I reckon I approached the situation rather meekly, having been frightened by her screaming voice and verbal threats. Given a repeat, I would have dealt it with more confidence and perhaps attempt to answer her question(s) diplomatically.
Anyhow, many thanks to Soph for being such an angel. Her text message came at the time when I was feeling horrible, even though she had a rather demoralising day at school too. We agreed to meet for dinner last night and to indulge in Gelare's waffles. There is never a dull moment whenever time is spent with her. Its as if she knows when I need a listening ear even though Soph is not fantastic with consoling people - but that's alright! (: My utility curve was high when I tucked into the warm waffle topped with low fat chocolate chip ice cream with caramel sauce whilst Soph's utility curve increased when she stopped by the scrapbooking store to check out the prettily designed papers. I bet she would not have got out of the shop if I had not dragged her out of it since it was closing time.
To end off the horrible day, I received a nice warm teddy bear from Soph after acting 'girly'. If you have no idea where is the direction of the post pointing to, I would say its an avenue for me to let out and for reminding myself that I have a GREAT bestie! Kudos to our decade long of friendship and still counting.
Low-fat chocolate on the left!
Me at my highest!
Note to self: sugar rush
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