Rhona Canoy  SO... At some point in our lifetimes, we need some kind of medical intervention. Hospitals, clinics, laboratories, doctors, nurses, to say the least. We take these services for granted and, worse, these health care providers take us even more for granted because only they can serve. In my experience. I had to take a co-worker to the emergency room last week, and it was that experience that brought all these thoughts that follow to mind. If anyone has to rush to the emergency room, there is some immediate need. That’s why it’s called an EMERGENCY room. Not a NOT-FEELING-WELL room. In this particular case, my friend had lost consciousness and has medical issues that preclude the seriousness of this event. The lady in the white coat (whom I can only assume was the ER doctor, although I still refuse to accord her the title) received the patient nonchalantly, wrote up a couple of tests and instructed her to lie down. We had requested that her personal physician, who has a clinic at the said hospital, be advised because of pre-existing conditions. The reply was quite puzzling. We were informed that the doctor can only be contacted if the patient is to be admitted. So my friend patiently lay there, given no medication or anything, and after a couple of hours was told she was well enough to go home, after paying the necessary ER fees. If no services were rendered, why did she have to pay? And the fee, from what I understand, was payment to the white-coated lady, not to the hospital. So now I’m really confused. Or maybe she paid for lying in a soft bed in an air-conditioned room. Hotels are cheaper. In my life, I have had the terrifying privilege of needing medical attention. And in all these times, I never really paid attention to anything except my survival and well-being. Perhaps because I am cursed with a locally well-known last name, I have always been accorded, at the very least, civil treatment from the health care providers. However, I have also had the opportunity to observe how lowlier patients are regarded, and as a human being it shames me. Doctors and nurses have spent an inordinate amount of money, schooling, time, and sacrifice in order to become qualified professionals. I get that. But there seem to be lessons in professional arrogance while they’re in school. A subject mastered by some more than others. As a regular human being, I would like to explain to our medical professionals  that they should to be aware that when we seek their attention and services, we are already in a terrified state. Doctors and nurses enter into our realm when we are threatened with termination of our existence. This being so, we are lonely, scared, concerned with our financial capability, adrift in a stormy sea of uncertainty. We need a smiling face, a supportive demeanor, and we look for hope in these white-clothed individuals. We need their reassurance that we don’t have a life-threatening disease which will deplete not only our time on earth but our scant pockets as well. Be rude to the rich people because no matter what, they can afford their way to a longer life. They can pay for expensive medicines along with their spa treatments. No matter how unpleasant you may be, if you are the best, these moneyed people will seek you out. Trust me on this. But we lowly hard-working people need your services as well. We cannot always afford what you charge, nor the necessary accoutrements to our healing. So be kind to us. Pretend that you care. Show a little smile. Help us find other ways to get well. I don’t think that’s too much to ask. Your investment in your profession will be returned a thousandfold. God and good karma will make sure of that.