Beyond the Duty of Care
Pathologists’ interactions with patients are meaningful – perhaps more so now than ever
The end of a year can bring divided emotions: sadness, excitement, regret, relief… No matter what your views on the events of 2017, there’s certainly no denying that it has been a year to remember – and that goes for science and medicine, too.
The year has seen an explosion of new technologies, new recommendations, and new discoveries. It has also seen tectonic shifts in some of the world’s largest healthcare systems. In the UK, the National Health Service (NHS) has just seen the announcement of its latest budget – an additional £2.8 billion increase in funding over previous promises, and yet perhaps still not enough to permanently sustain the service. And the US Affordable Care Act might as well be a tennis ball, batted first this way and then back again by the vagaries of politics. All everyday citizens can do is watch to see what might become of the fledgling program.
But even as healthcare systems are in turmoil the world over, one thing is clear to me: that the people on the ground – nurses, clinicians, you – are more dedicated than ever to making sure patients receive the best possible care. And it isn’t easy. Funding is tight. Grants are disappearing. Pathologists are retiring, with few new faces to replace them. The hours are longer, the work more complex, and often, it may feel like a thankless job.
And so in this month’s cover feature, I was thrilled to see that it’s not just other pathologists who appreciate what you do. Patients are increasingly coming into contact with pathology – for help interpreting genetic test results, for questions about future tests, even for personalized tours of their own biopsies. From what I’ve heard, it’s clear that your input is highly appreciated.
So what’s my own personal takeaway from 2017? That medical services, healthcare systems, and even governments are always changing – but that the bond between care provider and patient remains as sacred as ever. That (regardless of billing and contracts and mandatory duties) the people who ultimately hold my care – and that of my seven billion colleagues on Planet Earth – in their hands still have me and my best interests at heart. And that those seven billion other patients are slowly realizing just how big, how complex, and how deeply involved their care teams are in their health.
“Hello, my name is ____________________ and I’m your pathologist.” A simple connection – but one more important than ever to the people on both sides of the bench.
Michael Schubert
Editor
While obtaining degrees in biology from the University of Alberta and biochemistry from Penn State College of Medicine, I worked as a freelance science and medical writer. I was able to hone my skills in research, presentation and scientific writing by assembling grants and journal articles, speaking at international conferences, and consulting on topics ranging from medical education to comic book science. As much as I’ve enjoyed designing new bacteria and plausible superheroes, though, I’m more pleased than ever to be at Texere, using my writing and editing skills to create great content for a professional audience.
