Published 9 July 2008, doi:10.1136/bmj.a272
Cite this as: BMJ 2008;337:a272

Filler

The importance of listening

Charlotte J Mance, second foundation year doctor, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro

cmance@doctors.net.uk

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

When I was a second year medical student my father was diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumour of the pancreas. Chemotherapy provided some symptomatic relief, but two months after the end of the course of treatment he developed heart failure as a side effect, and he was quite limited in his activity. During his chemotherapy he had continued his job as a director of a large organisation, but when he developed heart failure he took retirement.

Within a few months it was clear that he was terminally ill, and pain control started to become problematic. I will never forget the last visit by the district nurse. She was concerned that his pain relief was not ideal and wanted to try changing the drugs he was taking. He did not feel that pain relief was an issue and wanted to stay with the same drugs. Eventually he won his side of the . . . [Full text of this article]


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