My pyjamas my mother

My pyjamas
My mother
Options

In life and particularly in medical care it can be hard to decide on the best course of action

If you are unsure what decision to make on behalf of another person then take a step back and consider what you would do if they were you or your mother.

It helps crystallise your thinking and you will give better advice. This particularly applies to doctors and their patients, but can apply in any setting.

My pyjamas

If it was you what would you prefer? What decision would best suit you? Imagine yourself in your pyjamas just because this is how you would be at home, at your most comfortble or indeed if you were ill. You as a normal person with normal human needs

My mother

If thinking of yourself in the position of your patient does not help you reframe your question and advice then think of that person as your mother or father. What would you do to give her or him the best care you could? What decision would you make?

Often thinking of yourself or your parent will open your mind to other options and approaches. It will make you more sympathetic and usually more caring in your approach

Options

Having made your decision it is best not to impose it, but to offer it as a range of options. It is the patients decision set against the advice you offer. See “options” for more information