Remaining Hopeful for Patients

Hope is an important concept for all of us. Hope encompasses attitudes of who we are. Synonyms for hope include expect, anticipate, look forward to, aspire, and believe, among others. One can see that this embodies our outlook for what lies ahead, for without hope, life is not worth living. We strive to instill hope into our children so that they can look to the future with a sense of security.

There is a story of a young boy who was hospitalized with severe burns and was in extreme pain. All appeared hopeless for the young man. The nurses noted his hopeless attitude and feared he might lose the will to live. One day a teacher assigned to help students who could not attend class arrived at the hospital to visit him. She was nearly overwhelmed by what she saw—the burns, the pain, the challenges for his care. Somewhat flustered and distressed for the student she said, “I’ve been sent by your school to help you with nouns and adverbs.” She and the student talked for a bit, but when she left, the teacher did not think she had done much for him.

The next day the teacher returned for another session. The nurse in the burn unit asked her, “What did you do to that boy?” The teacher, feeling she had done something wrong, began apologizing. The nurse stopped her and replied, “No, no. You don’t understand. Ever since you were here yesterday, his entire attitude has changed. He is responding to treatment and seems determined to live.” The teacher was puzzled, as was the nurse. Later, the young man explained the turn-around in his attitude. He said, “I had given up all hope until the teacher arrived. I figured they would not send a teacher to help me with nouns and adverbs if I were dying, would they?”¹

How strong is the hope in our lives? It can mean the difference between life and death. It certainly can mean the difference between a joyous outlook on life and a miserable existence.

Hope is one of the most important things we can give to our patients because many of them have lost all hope that anyone cares for them or can do anything for them. Patients who have the hope of improvement or healing do better with any therapy we suggest. They are more compliant with the most onerous of treatments because they have the hope for a better tomorrow.

Most of all, we as clinicians must be exceedingly careful not to destroy hope. It is so easy to do with a careless word or deed. Sometimes a patient may overhear us talking to other staff or colleagues, misinterpret what is heard, and have their hope destroyed. We should avoid this possibility at all times. Besides, what makes a patient’s situation hopeless? Nothing. The outcome might not be what all desire, but there is always something that can be done to make the situation better, at least for a little while. As Dr. Eugene Laforet said, “The term ‘hopeless case’ is a misnomer applied to a patient for whom the physician has little hope. It does not, however, represent the judgment of the patient. For there are no ‘hopeless patients,’ only hopeless doctors.”² Truer words have never been spoken.

Hope is a powerful emotion, outlook, and attitude. It is what keeps us all going each day. Imagine how you would feel if you got up in the morning and had no hope for the day—what a dismal thought. As healthcare professionals, our job is to instill and encourage hope in every person we meet, whether a patient or not. Life is worth living.

Terry Treadwell, MD, FACS
Senior Clinical Editor, WOUNDS
woundseditor@hmpglobal.com