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Superman

Before even meeting my next patient, I am anxious. Why? Because I just read he has decided by himself he will not continue with any medicines prescribed for his complex condition, doesn't want contact with specialist clinic & wants to go to his local primary care center for continuity. Continuity that I can't promise, being a junior doctor.
He speaks multiple languages, has done many different jobs, gone through highs and lows in life, has been relatively healthy as a whole. But now that he is sick, he won't take those medicines. No sir, not the 15 tablets they want me to take. It's absurd. It's chaos. What if I get side effects. I take one and I'm here so you can write a second one. Just one more.
I try and resonate with him. Go over the list to choose which one it will be. Discuss with available specialist. I keep battling in my head whether my success today is getting him on board to take care of his health or is it just being done with this whole meeting while maintaining his trust? 

On a side note my immigrant brain is reminding me and trying to calm me that not taking medications is almost the norm in Pakistan. He has a right to decide and probably will be fine. If not, he will be happy he did what he wanted and lived with the pride so dear to him.



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