Someone to talk to

I am currently reading Death at La Fenice a mystery novel written by Donna Leon. One of the minor characters in the book is a physician. On page 128 (included here so that I can find the quote again) she states:

He’s very much like my other patients. Most of them come to talk about ailments they don’t have and pain they don’t feel. The count is more interesting to talk to, but I suppose there’s really not much difference between them. He’s lonely and old, just like them, and he needs someone to talk to.

I think that I have known this for many years, but leave it to an excellent novelist to capture the idea so succinctly. When we listen and respond as physicians we help our patients in ways that quality indicators cannot measure. Some contributions we make are not measurable, yet for the patient they are palpable.

We (physicians) must work diligently to help insurers understand these interactions. One of the great compliments that I often here about a physician is that she (he) takes the time to listen to me. I find it sad that that is a compliment. Listening should once again be the norm, but sadly it is not.