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Section 10—Opportunities for Ministry In Hospitals and Sanitariums
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be. Appointments have been made which have not been filled.
Such failures as these will greatly militate against the influence of a
physician. The patients will not be often thus disappointed, without
feeling bitterness of soul and mind....
The sick pay for their treatments in order that they may recover
health; but if they are disappointed again and again, the reputation
of the sanitarium will be imperiled. This evil must be corrected;
the attention that has been promised must be given to the patients
or the physician breaks the confidence of the patients in his word.
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If the leading physician cannot possibly meet the appointment, he
should have his associate physician meet it for him, explaining to
the patient the cause of his absence.
Unless the physicians in our sanitariums are men of thorough
habits, unless they attend promptly to their duties, their work will
become a reproach, and the Lord’s appointed agencies will lose their
influence. By a course of negligence to duty the physician humiliates
the Great Physician, of whom he should be a representative. Strict
hours should be kept with all patients, high or low. No careless
neglect should be allowed in any of the nurses. Ever be true to your
word, prompt in meeting your appointments; for this means much to
the sick.—
Letter 128, 1905
.
Promptness and Efficiency
The sick should not be compelled to wait when they need advice
and relief. Never should the physician neglect his patients. He
should have quick, penetrating judgment, and should carry into the
sickroom a genial atmosphere. He should not be cold, reticent, or
hesitating, but should cultivate those qualities which exert a soothing
influence over the suffering ones. They want more than looks; they
want kind, hopeful words. The doctor should be ready to give them
cheerful, reassuring words, words spoken from the heart in wisdom,
showing that he understands the cases of those under his care. This
will inspire a restfulness and confidence, even at the first interview.
The physician should be a man of pure mind. If his principles
are uncorrupted, he will exert a telling influence in favor of the right.
Physicians need to be constantly imbued with the Spirit of Christ,
learning lessons from Him, the greatest Teacher the world ever knew;