Relatives underestimate patients' desire for truth

"Using" older patients as subjects for teaching can also be a
contentious issue with overprotective offspring. I have on video-tape a
routine clinic visit with an 80 year-old man and his very caring son. He
had left his chest x-rays at home and I suggested he come back in the
afternoon with them and at the same time some students might examine him.

The son did his utmost to prevent what he thought was an unecessary
imposition on the father and I did my best to explain that participating
in a teaching session would give the old man a purposeful mission the like
of which which were few and far between in his life.

We finally had the good sense to make the issue clear to the patient
himself. "Dad" said the son, "you don't really have to come this
afternoon, I can bring the films instead of you. The doctor wants you to
help him teach students."

Without missing a beat his father replied: "I like helping and being
a volunteer! I have always believed in that and I'd love to come and be
examined by as many young doctors as he wants."

The son was amazed and I show the tape as an example of how wrong
well-meaning families can be about what their loved ones really want.