IF I WEREYOU

The “If I were you “attitude has solved many a problem for me..
When I was working in Egmore Eye Hospital, a doctor, General Practitioner, came from Andhra Pradesh for seeking opinion whether to implant Intra Ocular Lens [IOL] in his eye after Cataract extraction.
The IOL has been introduced quite recently then and opinion regarding its safety was divided even among eye doctors.
Aravind Hospital, Madurai was going great guns and a few Private Hospitals in Chennai have also taken it up.
After hearing the pros and cons the doctor came to our examination room where we were seeing our ward cases.
He appeared quite confused, exhausted and told me of the different opinions he had heard.
I listened patiently, sympathized with him and after some time said “If I were you I will go for IOL surgery.”
He just sat brooding, turning over and over what I said.
Suddenly his face lit up. He said “ That’s it ! My mind is made up. I am going in for IOL.” and asked me about the best place.
I suggested Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai to which he readily agreed.
After undergoing successful surgery there he came to the hospital to thank me before going to his home in AP.

A similar instance. One day in my clinic I was seeing a case of Cataract operated by me a week ago. She has developed a minor complication- “Iritis’ a sort of allergic reaction - causing redness and fall in vision.- which usually subsides after some time with treatment. Her son was very angry thinking the surgery was not done properly and asked why the complication occurred in an intimidating tone.
I was on the verge of replying in the same trend when I suddenly decided to tackle in a different manner.
“If I were you and not aware of the true cause, I may be even more angrier “I said.
He calmed down immediately and listened to my explanation.
The patient required treatment for about 3 weeks to regain good vision and whenever they came her son was a very quiet and always listened patiently to me.