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Yong Loo Lin
School of Medicine

Having patients’ best interests

Published: 08 Sep 2017

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Dr Alfred Kow, Assistant Dean of Education at NUS Medicine, emphasised the importance of putting patients’ best interest at heart as practising doctors. Dr Kow recounted a case when an elderly patient initially refused medical treatment for acute pancreatitis, and he asked her to reconsider her decision as there was a chance of recovery. After months of treatment, the patient recovered fully and reconciled her relationship with her son.

Doctors should consider all treatment options and communicate them clearly to their patients. Although patients have the right to choose their options, doctors should guide patients with their best interests at heart.

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