In this blog post, I will take a deep look at what it means to be a true doctor who cares not only for the physical body but also for the mind and soul of patients.
While studying biology and human physiology for the medical exam, I was filled with awe for life, and at the same time, I thought that doctors who save the mysterious human body and people from death and suffering have a miraculous job. I wondered if it was possible to be a doctor with only a scientific and rational attitude. My search for answers led me to Bible study. In this article, I will discuss the most important themes for my dream of becoming a doctor, which I have learned from my Bible study over the past six months: life and death, and what makes a true doctor.
After taking a deep breath and reflecting on these teachings about life and death, I will consider what it means to be a doctor. What is a true doctor, a “real doctor”? The job of a doctor is to treat sick people and save them from pain and sometimes even death. Then, a real doctor must be someone who treats sick people “well.” It seems so simple and straightforward. But what does it really mean to treat someone well? A surgeon is expected to completely remove the cancerous area and cure the patient, while an internist is expected to prescribe the right anticancer drugs, check the patient’s condition frequently, minimize side effects, and cure the patient.
However, as I learned the words of the Bible, I began to see a clear gap. That is, we must heal the patient’s soul and heart. I cannot describe it perfectly because I have never fought against a life-threatening illness myself, but let’s think about a patient who is fighting for his life on the verge of death. They are fighting for months or even years in intensive care units, where even lying still is considered hard labor, undergoing all kinds of anticancer drugs, surgical procedures, and therapies for terminal cancer. Let’s assume that I, a skilled doctor, saved their life. Would this patient truly feel happy? Having poured everything into this struggle, their friends and family may feel that if the patient had died, they would have suffered for a short time but then returned to their own lives. They may feel a certain amount of guilt for having shared the patient’s suffering for so long, and even if the patient recovers, they will never be the same as they were before, which will cause a sense of loss. In other words, there is a high possibility that his soul and heart will be wounded during this long struggle.
If I am a “true doctor,” a doctor who treats patients “well,” then I must be able to warm the wounded souls of my patients. I must always think about what lies behind the physical appearance of my patients, listen to their inner pain, and treat each and every one of them with sincerity. I must become a doctor who treats the whole person, not just the disease, and who views patients from a holistic perspective.
As doctors, we must not only understand the human body as a biological machine, but also consider the overall life of our patients and their emotional and psychological needs. This requires a deep understanding and empathy for people that goes beyond mere medical knowledge. According to the teachings of the Bible, I feel that I should kneel down and pray beside patients who seem hopeless, saying, “God, please let this person go to heaven…” However, I must remember that my job is a doctor, not a pastor. Then, what is the best way for a doctor to practice the words of the Bible? According to the Bible, 100 years on earth is a time to prepare for eternal life in heaven. Why should a doctor try to keep a patient who is dying, who wants to shed his physical body and go to heaven, from leaving this world and living his life on earth as long as possible? What right do I have to shout at a patient, “It must be hard, but you have to live!”?
It is precisely because of the possibility of repentance. The Bible teaches that in order to go to heaven, we must repent of our past and leave it behind. Even though I am a doctor, I cannot know what kind of life the patient has lived, nor is it my place to know. However, is there anyone who has lived their life without shame before God? With the help of a doctor, one could say that this is God’s will, but if one is brought back from death, they should truly repent and live a righteous and beautiful life. I believe that the attitude of a doctor who actively practices the words of the Bible makes this possible.
However, as a Catholic, I still cannot agree with forcing patients to go to a cathedral or church, handing them a Bible, and indoctrinating them. I think this is because of my tendency to reject exclusivity in religion and pursue diversity. I believe that it is enough for patients to live a righteous life with a clear conscience, regardless of their religion or whether they have any religion at all. If that patient can live their life to the fullest again and contribute even a little to the health of our society, then I think they can truly be called a “true doctor.”
As I walk the path of a doctor, I will face many challenges. I must never forget that it is just as important to understand and help patients’ psychological pain and spiritual wounds as it is to treat their physical illnesses. I believe that looking at patients from a holistic perspective and helping them is the true path of a doctor. To walk this path, I will continue to learn and grow, empathize with my patients’ pain, and strive to become a true doctor who cares for their souls.
