中醫

You may think it is easy to understand how and why should a mediocre doctor treat the patient. Nonetheless, the issue is more complicated than what you imagine.

Let's start with a simple scenario: A young man would become immensely anxious whenever he encounters a particular situation. In professional terms, he probably has phobic anxiety disorder. If you are his in-charge doctor and he does not want to take any medicine, how could you help him?

Simple. It's all about education and behavioural therapy. The situation that precipitates his anxiety should be avoided if possible.

Now, consider this: The situation that triggers his anxiety is the feeding problem of his elderly mother, who is totally dependent, zero quality of life, and absolutely no awareness to the surrounding after a massive stroke. Let's assume, hypothetically, whatever you do would have a neutral effect on that old woman. Her suffering would not be prolonged as she could not sense anything, but there is also no point to prolong her life because the quality of which is zero.

In this case, would you start artificial means of feeding - as treatment to the young man's anxiety?

I shall not elaborate if there is some risk-benefit consideration for the mother, or if that unfortunate woman has more than one son with different triggers of anxiety.

But, you see? My point is this: As a doctor, it is sometimes difficult to tell who your patient is.