Question

In several chapters of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Bauby describes different kinds of healthcare workers.  Some of his descriptions are appreciative, some are critical, and others are ambiguous.  Bauby’s most sustained reflections on the subject of the healthcare staff at Berck-sur-Mer are found in the following chapters:

The wheelchair

Bathtime

Guardian Angel

Voice

Sunday

On the whole, how would you characterize Bauby’s attitude toward the people who are paid to attend to him?  What might healthcare workers learn about the effect they have on patients by considering his point of view?

Answer 1

Bauby describes his unfair experience during his hospital stay. Although he is in lock-in syndrome due to the stroke, he wishes to communicate with the external environment. But the health care workers do not respond to him properly. The Physician does not spend enough time with the patient.  The ophthalmologist didn't care about the ulcerative cornea. Moreover, he checked on the wrong eye. That makes him more frustrated. He describes the physician as arrogant and sarcastic. He characterizes nurses irresponsive and doesn't respond to the feeding tube alarm. Other health care staff are not considered him as a human being with a soul inside. They seem him like an inanimate object. No health care workers communicated with him properly at any cost.

Health care workers must realize communication is important in health care. Talking to an unresponsive patient play an active role in the healing process. It is ultimate to consider all patients as equal even though the patient is unable to respond. Positive attitude and positive communication show improvement in patient condition. All health care workers should change this type of attitude at least from now.