Last Thursday night a few colleagues and myself had the great pleasure of
being told by our friend and colleague Brenda O'Brien RSHom about a
technique discussed by Dr Sankran.
I am so motivated that I thought I would share this with you all.
I remember at college a lecturer saying words to the effect that 'the
patient's presenting symptoms are the motivation that made the patient visit
a homoeopath. Beyond that we have to get to the Centre of the Case and find
out all the other symptoms to find the totality.'
As a result, what often happens is that the discussion around the patient's
presenting takes only a small proportion of the interview, the rest of the
time is taken up with points being discussed that at first may appear to be
irrelevant by the patient to their presenting symptoms (The connection
between constipation and anxiety may not be immediately apparent to them
). Often we do not even get to the REAL centre of the case.The patient may go away with a bewildered feeling as to "What was all that
about??" especially in the cases where the patient is completely new to
homoeopathy. The patient's presenting symptoms are of paramount importance
to the patient because that is how they are feeling their disease.
Therefore they should be important to us too.
This technique needs focusing on the part of the homoeopath on the
presenting symptom and the WORDS that the patient uses, even if it is 100
physical. e.g. arthritis, or even constipation.
The point is that the general and mental symptoms of the patient come out in
the way they answer.
The patient is also left with the good feeling that this Dr/Homoeopath is
REALLY interested in my symptoms and cares. He understands!
As a sample, the interview runs like this:
[Like climbing a ladder, each step is used, repeating the pt's EXACT own
words]
Tell me about the problem (chief complaint)
The (repeating the patient's same words exactly) troubles and bothers you,
right?
How does it bother you?
Describe this (repeating their last words exactly)
Describe the sensation (repeating their words exactly) a little more.
How does it feel?
Describe this (repeating the patient's same words exactly) feeling a little
more
What is the sensation that (repeating the patient's same words exactly) ?
[This apparent repetition is on purpose - it pushes you and the pt to really
focus on the pt's sensation - it is not something that they can say and move
one - they have to dwell on it and define the sensation exactly].
When you say (their last words), what do you mean ?
Describe the sensation of (repeating the patient's same words exactly)
How does (their words) feel?
What is (repeating the patient's same words exactly) ?
Tell me about this.
And when there is something you 'have to do' what does it feel like?
Describe the opposite of (repeating the patient's same words exactly)
How does it feel when you have to do (whatever)
And then?
When do not you feel (repeating the patient's same words exactly) ?
Tell me about it.
What was the effect of the situation on you?
What would you feel?
You said it was like (repeating the patient's same words exactly) - what
does that feel like?
What is the sensation of (exact words) ?
What did you feel in that situation?
What would make you feel better in these situations?
What would give you relief best?
What do you feel when you are doing (whatever that relieves you)?
And then as the patient may naturally go to other areas of their symptoms or
from the above you can take them there, you can explore them in turn in the
same way.
Quickly you will note that you have your symptoms and their modalities (and
may be even some strange, rare & peculiars) and important mental and general
symptoms coming out with the way they answer and the areas that they go to.
These will guide you to the Centre of the Case.
This technique needs a little bit of practise as you have to remain focused.
I recommend that you practise in small groups where one acts as the pt and
the other as Hom and a couple to observe and take notes when the homoeopath
stops focusing on the pt's symptoms and pull them back or tell them
afterwards.
Believe me, this is an enlightening way to take the case.
I wish you all great success and good healing
Soroush
PS
Some wise person said "Unit we do not get better, IT won't get better"
This applies to every aspects of our lives.
We have to make sure we are well (else we will not be unprejudiced
observers) and then we have to heal others so that together we can attempt
to achieve the higher purposes for which we were created.
Good luck!