How can I help you?

Image: Gapingvoid

How can I help you?

This is a question many people say with their mouths.

But their heart and body language are yelling: So, what do you want?

How can I help you is as much a question for you as it is for your patient.

Because whilst she can verbalize her “presenting complaint”, and you can take a history and do an examination to find out what’s wrong…that’s not the end of the question.

The real magic isn’t in the “help” part, but in the “how can *I* help you” part.

How can specifically-me help specifically-you?

Specifically me…as opposed to someone or something else (e.g AI/Robot)?

That’s the question you get to ask yourself in every interaction.

Okay, I’ve diagnosed the problem and know what to prescribe.

Still, how can specifically-me help specifically-you in this moment?

I can listen to you tell your story. I can ask you about your day. I can look you in the eye. I can treat you with respect. I can see you and acknowledge you. I can tell you the truth. I can say something that gets under your skin and helps you make the changes you need to. I can start a podcast that addresses the root issues that keep bringing you back into hospital. I can organise an event that connects you with others who are on the same journey as you. I can launch a business that would create 1,000 new jobs in our town. I can volunteer to do a monthly assembly at the local primary school to inspire them to own their healthcare.

Of course there are constraints, excuses and “reasons why not”.

That’s true for everyone.

But within the confines of your current situation, ask:

How can specifically-me help specifically you?

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