“How are you feeling?”
It’s a question we frequently ask patients — on rounds, in the clinic, post-operatively — and with all good intentions and gentility. But, do we ever stop to think: What is really the point of this question? What information are we trying to glean? I think for most of us, we’re asking the question with a cognitive bias towards the physical. How are they “physically” feeling: better, worse, same, new symptoms, associated symptoms, etc. How will knowing this information then alter our medical decision making, diagnoses and treatment plans — you know, the usual “doctor” stuff.
Do we ever think to consider a different question: How do patients feel? “How do you feel” as opposed to, “How are you feeling?” It’s a subtle alteration but perhaps with a powerful twist and a window to deeper connection with, and understanding of our patients; insights into the physical and the emotional qualities of health and well-being. How they feel as a proxy into the burden of their symptoms. Yes, the postoperative pain may be improving, they may be tolerating their medication, but perhaps they are afraid, nervous, upset. And if so, does this matter? Does it impact their disease state? Should we care?
Danielle Ofri in a recent article, “Why Doctors Care about Happiness,” describes happiness and health as inextricably linked: “If a patient has poor health and is also feeling miserable, it’s not enough just to address the medical problem. How a person is feeling emotionally needs to be acknowledged and explored.” Furthermore: “We in the health care professions need to notice and inquire about happiness the same way we do other aspects of our patients’ lives … I don’t presume that these challenges are facile to solve, but hopefully, our conversation helps let patients know that their happiness matters as much as their cholesterol.”
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