First reflection

I am a family physician for my own family and relative and for nearby neighbors. It means I am not
running any proper clinic but rather just practicing in my home because of my kids. Most often I used to
do the empirical therapy without going for lab investigation because usually people are reluctant to go
for labs and try to get only symptomatic treatment.

A few years before my close relative who was a lady 68 years of age having, diabetes, hypertension, and
suddenly got numbness in her left arm up to her hand and she called me about that. Unfortunately,
there was a public holiday on that day followed further two holidays. I asked her about further
symptoms she replied negatively. I told her to take multivitamins with folic acid and B12 and advised her
to go to a hospital, if not for relief. But she resists visiting the hospital and assured me to go after the
holiday and would do a proper check-up. But in days she developed weakness in both her left arm and
leg and couldn't stand and hold things then they rushed her to hospital.

I felt guilty for not guiding her properly and forced her to immediately go to the hospital for evaluation
and immediate treatment. Now after taking admission to this Fammed course and taking the lectures, I
become more sensible and responsible about my duties and realized that in every case even it will be
looking quite a mild intensity level. I have to go through the proper system. I evaluate how important is
time for making decisions and empirical therapy is not always beneficial.

Proper investigation is a very important tool. In stroke, treatment is time-independent. From now
onwards I will follow the proper guidelines and will counsel the patient for the following instruction,
especially in serious cases at any cost.