News

I was moved by the Opinion piece “ ” (Sept 5), and thank Dr Tan Kok Yang for his compassion and empathy for his patients and their families. The issue resonated with me deeply as my late dad went through a period of suffering and poor quality of life while being treated in an acute hospital for more than a month. Many tests were conducted, but he was becoming weaker by the day. My family then explored the option of having him discharged to allow him a little respite in the comfort of home, even though we understood that it was a medical risk. As Dr Tan said, the primary doctor of an advanced-age patient must practise empathy and compassion besides discharging his medical duty. The primary medical doctor should be asked to give the family an early assessment of the patient’s condition, probably within two weeks after admission, thus allowing the family to decide whether to take the patient home to care for him or her, or continue treatment with the many tests that the patient might have to endure.