Oasis "Consultation and Caring
Services for Sick Staff and Their
Significant Others" looks after your psychological needs
"I want to continue helping cancer patients for as long as I
can", says Dr Vincent Tse, a former Consultant at Queen Elizabeth
Hospital's Clinical Oncology Department. Although retired, his
enthusiasm and desire to help patients have not diminished, and
he serves as an Honorary Advisor to Oasis "Consultation and
Caring Services for Sick Staff and Their Significant Others".
Dr Tse was also the Founding Chairman of the Oasis Advisory
Committee. As a veteran doctor, he is fully aware of the link
between psychological and physical pain. Five years ago, he and
some staff members of Oasis decided to establish a service to
help colleagues and their families understand more about cancer,
and provide them with psychological support. He recalls many
memorable incidents.
Looking at the issue from patients' perspective
"A nurse once brought her godmother to see me. The old lady,
suffering from lung cancer, was gasping for breath when she
arrived. ‘Dr Tse, if I were your mother, what treatment would you
give me?' was the first question she asked. Knowing that she did
not respond to active treatments anymore, and that many elderly
people are afraid of the pain that cancer treatment may cause, I
told her that I would not give any medical treatment to her, but
rather take the best possible care of her. The old lady was so
relieved to hear this; even her breathing improved!"
Many colleagues who come to see Dr Tse will ask him, "Why
me?" Dr Tse admits that he does not have the answer. However,
he thinks the question to ask should be "What can I do about it
now?" He always does his best to answer the questions put to
him so as to ease their worries and help them to regain hope.
Most patients have a lot of questions in their minds, but often
they are so disturbed that they forget to ask their doctor. Dr Tse's
patience in listening and addressing patients' concern certainly
brings a lot of comfort and relief to colleagues and their families
in their hour of need. This is indeed the objective of Oasis's other
services, too.
