Dr Lin Chin Lon's Sharing With TIMA Members

Just seen this at the website, my English write-up for the reporting (Chinese version was published 2 weeks earlier) regarding Dr Lin's sharing on 'Humanistic Value of Tzu-Chi'.

Surprise to discover that the whole text is so 'original' without much corrections, thought there would be many grammars and structures flaws here and there.

Well, thanks for the chance and recognition given, I am still learning and will keep up the spirit to embrace the challenge of contributing in dharma propagation via words in both language when needed, which I am truly honoured. Gan en ;-) ***************************************************************************************************************** http://eng.tzuchi.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=992%3Adr-lin-chin-lons-sharing-with-tima-members&catid=184%3Ayear-2012&Itemid=416">

Wednesday, 21 March 2012 By Chua Hui Ming, Kuala Lumpur

Dr Lin Chin Lon, CEO Tzu Chi's Medical Mission-Taiwan, took time off his busy schedule to share with about a hundred of TIMA (Tzu Chi International Medical Association) members on the "Humanistic Value of Tzu Chi" at Kuala Lumpur Jing-Si Books & Cafe. All attendees were mesmerized by his sharing.

The humanistic value of Tzu Chi is clearly reflected in Tzu Chi's Medical Mission. Its Chief Executive Director, Dr Lin Chin Lon, pointed out that the main aim of Tzu Chi's Medical Mission is "to respect life and provide patient-centered medical care".

How to correlate 'medical professionalism' with 'humanistic value'?

During his sharing, which was conducted mainly in English, Dr Lin mentioned that as a medical professional, providing medical service could simply be just a process. However, along the process, we should practise professionalism not only based on our knowledge and experience, but also the transmission of 'humanistic value' of 'love and caring'. Only then can we be considered as 'real professionals'. "In Tzu Chi, we pledge for all people who come to Tzu Chi to be comforted not only in their body, but also in their mind and spirit, like homecoming", Dr Lin spelled out firmly.  

Health promotion is the best medicine

In ancient times, the main role of doctors was to treat disease, followed by a talk on disease prevention. Now, our aim is focused on health promotion to increase the quality of life and to assist the people to achieve optimum health. There is a saying, "The best doctor is the one who promotes health rather than just treating disease". The World Health Organization defined health as "A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, rather than solely as absence of disease (WHO Constitution, 1946)" From these two quotes, Dr Lin concluded that the ultimate goal of today's medical service is to promote health which can be channeled through love, caring and education. 'Health Promotion' is the best medicine discovered thus far.

Dr Lin discussed about Tzu Chi's six approaches in leading its Medical Mission. They include Environment, Community, Staff, Patient and Spirituality. Hospital is a place to grow spiritually. He said that an ideal hospital should have the '10Cs' in place, namely Convenient, Comfortable, Complete, Continual, Comprehensive, Compassionate, Conservation (of Environment), Cost effective, Community-oriented and Computer-based. All these elements can be seen in Tzu Chi Hospital.

There was an 'Interactive Session' which provided a golden opportunity for the attendees to discuss with Dr Lin regarding some medical ethical issues they have encountered in their daily practice. Dr Lin provided some insight on how to seek the balance between sense and sensibility in making a medical decision. Besides judging from the professional's point of view, the view point from the patient's side must also be taken into consideration to ensure the best option is chosen for the patient. Dr Lin also shared on how he got involved in Tzu Chi's activities by giving up his well-established career as Superintendent Cardiologist in the United States. He was inspired by Master Cheng Yen and the way Tzu Chi puts Buddhism into practice. From the video sharing and some of the medical cases he dealt with after taking an active role in Tzu Chi for the past 16 years, it is clear that the humanistic approach used in Tzu Chi's Medical Mission had turned many grievances into joyous smiles; and those people needing help has become people who are able to give help in return. The power of love is simply amazing, and life is just beautiful.  

Humanistic approach to relieve patients' suffering

In expressing his view after listening to Dr Lin's sharing, Dr Ong Boon Hock, a young Chinese Medicine Practitioner, said that "Tzu Chi Hospital is more concerned about love and caring when compared to other hospitals. There are many volunteers around to serve the patients in order to give the best care to them."

Dr Ong has been practicing as a Chinese Medicine Practitioner for 5 years. He joined TIMA in 2011 and has been providing consultation services at the Pudu Free Clinic, besides being involved in recycling activities and home visits to the handicapped centre in Kuala Kubu Baru, where he provides care and service to the unfortunate children. He considers himself lucky to have the opportunity to care for others; and as such, we should make the best of such opportunities.

Dr Ong admitted that when patients are dissatisfied with the treatment outcome, the doctor will normally take the blame. However, he agreed with Dr Lin that humans are not perfect and do make errors. The important point is to deliver a 'patient-centered medical care' by trying to achieve the best outcome in each case, weigh the balance between risks and benefits, analyze all related factors and available options, then only can the best choice for the patient be determined. Dr Ong will now practise the humanistic approach in relieving patients from their physical and mental suffering, as highlighted by Dr Lin. He hopes to spend more time participating in Tzu Chi's activities and is looking forward to attend this year's TIMA Annual Conference in Taiwan.

Treating patient like treating own family

The former Director of Dental Service, Dr I. Venugopal, had been with Ministry of Health Malaysia for more than 35 years. Even though he has retired, he is still very passionate in serving the society.

Dr Venugopal has heard of 'Tzu Chi' from his colleague many years ago, but it was only last year that he met a Tzu Chi volunteer at the recycling centre near his house. After a short conversation with the volunteer, he searched for 'Tzu Chi' via the internet and was surprised to learn that it is such an established non-profit organization. He then went to the Klang Free Clinic to have a look and had further discussion with another two volunteers. He knew then that there was a calling from within himself to join Tzu Chi in order for him to repay society. He immediately gave donations to Tzu Chi and agreed to serve in the free clinic on a monthly basis.

Ever since then, he has been actively participating in the medical outreach around Klang Valley area; and had once cooked a vegetarian meal for nearly 40 volunteers after his duty at the free clinic. He enjoys taking part in all these activities and feels happy to be part of the big family.

In September last year, he joined the TIMA Annual Conference in Hualien, Taiwan, and felt so honoured to be able to meet Master Cheng Yen in person. It was indeed a fruitful trip for him.

"I can feel what Dr Lin feels. His decision to give up all the recognitions that he gained in the US and return to Taiwan to join Tzu Chi was simply because of the happiness that he found in Tzu Chi. The happiness which brings enrichment to the soul is more precious than everything else in the world; and this happiness can be pursued easily in Tzu Chi" Dr Venugopal continued, "The 'patient-based medical care' that Dr Lin had emphasized on is actually my principle of service all this while. As a medical professional, we should treat the patient like our own family member. We just want to give the best for them'.  

To give with joy

Professor Junaidah Sanusi is currently lecturing at the Medical Faculty, University of Malaya. She felt that the spirit of volunteerism is a subject that cannot be taught in the classroom. From Dr Lin's sharing, she could see that all volunteers in Tzu Chi share the same goal of creating a better world through the cultivation of love, caring and sincerity.

"Transcending religions and races, and to give with joy and selflessness, is very precious and deserves our respect. Tzu Chi's passion on humanistic approach towards patient care and medical practice is also very good to assimilate," she commented.

Prof Junaidah is aware of the Silent Mentor programme, which has just been introduced into University Malaya Medical Centre. She believes that it will be a great breakthrough in medical practice, as well as, in medical education.

040412 清明節

今年由於潤月，所以清明節落在4月4日。
清明節快樂嗯！

我們在剛過的周末囘吉蘭丹掃墓去了。
當天整個義山上人頭鑽動，
瞧，公公婆婆的墳頭來了這麽聲勢浩大的一班親人，好不熱鬧！
這氣氛，比農曆新年仿似有過之而無不及呢！
那美食佳肴、那新衣新鞋、那此起彼落的鞭炮聲。。。
顯然，就是黃泉之下的先賢們，煞有其事地在過年喲！
後輩們也借此機會敍舊野餐話當年，“思親話義”一番。。。
那其中隱喻的飲水思源之深遠意義，
就這麽一年又一年傳承而下了。

QingMing Festival (Tomb Sweeping Day) is another important festival for many Chinese family besides CNY.
We drove all the way back Kelantan to 'visit' our late grandparents and ancestor at the grave.
14 hours of driving (return), 4 hours of preparing (food and praying stuffs), 140 minutes of tomb sweeping ceremony.
The stories that we remember, the memories that we shared,
Past, Present, Future.
The meaning that it carries is desired to be lasting 4ever.
0404,
Happy QingMing Festival! :-)

醫療人文手札 “二”記 - 我们的采访文搞被刊登咯!

我们的采访文搞被刊登咯!很开心可以借用文字和大家分享慈济人本医疗的精髓。
感恩，合十。
全文如下， 更多圖文請瀏覽相關網站
http://chn.tzuchi.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2991&catid=258&Itemid=413#.T3ahK-LRHRY.facebook


雪隆人醫聯誼會 林俊龍談上上醫
週三,2012年 3月 21日 【蔡惠敏、鍾妙玲、葉淑瀴／吉隆坡報導】

台灣慈濟醫療志業執行長林俊龍醫生蒞馬，撥冗出席位於吉隆坡靜思書軒舉行的人醫會交流會，和出席的上百位醫護人員，分享慈濟醫療人文的精髓。


“慈濟的醫療人文是以‘尊重生命，以人為本，守護健康’為理念。醫護人員提供醫療服務，是一個過程，重點是在這個過程裡，不僅要實踐知識經驗評估上的‘專業’，還要配合人文價值，注入‘愛與關懷’，才是真正的專業。”

2012年 3月21日，慈濟醫療志業執行長林俊龍以英文為主要媒介語，對雪隆百名人醫會成員及醫護人員，分享慈濟醫療人文的精髓。林執行長以“慈濟的人文價值”為該交流會掀開序幕，而後也穿插了雙向交流環節，並以影片分享為這一場交流會作爲圓滿的結束。

林俊龍醫生在開場時，強而有力地道出了慈濟醫療人文的精髓。身為醫療志業的一分子，大家的共同心願就是：讓所有參與慈濟醫療的人，就好像回到家一樣, 能夠得到身心靈的慰藉。

◎　 促進全人類健康

古有明訓：“上醫醫未病，中醫醫將病，下醫醫已病”，更高一層的預防疾病就是“上醫”。世界衛生組織對於“健康”的詮釋是：不只是沒有病，而且還能發揮身體上、精神上，及社會上的功能。醫院過去專注在醫療處置，後來朝向“預防醫學”，不要讓人生病，現在則更進一步要積極地幫助每個人，不分老少男女，擁有健康。

林執行長概括說：“現在的醫療，是透過愛、關懷和教育朝著‘促進全人類健康’的方向前進，這也是目前最有效的良藥。”

至於理想的醫院，林執行長以“十全（10C）”來敍述，這包括了方便性（Convenient）、舒適性（Comfortable）、完全性（Complete）、連續性（Continual）、全體性（Comprehensive）、有愛心的（Compassionate）、環保（Conservational）、有效益性（Cost effective）、社區性（Community-oriented）和以電腦為基礎（Computer-based）。這十全都顯現在慈濟醫院的辦理方針裡。

林執行長也在交流會上和大家分享自己如何從一個在美國很有權威的心臟科專家，轉而投身於慈濟志業的經驗和心路歷程，並通過不同的個案分享讓在場的出席者都能感受到，參與慈濟醫療的每一個人，不管是助人者或受助者都因爲得以見證生命散發的動人光芒而衍生的那一份法喜。

在“雙向交流”環節中，出席者把握機會踴躍發問。林執行長也以本身的經驗，配合慈濟人本醫療的理念，和出席者探討如何拿捏理性和感性之間的平衡點，以期作出對病人最好的判斷，以及當中所涉及的專業操守問題和心理建設等。

接下來的影片分享，除了播放慈濟人醫會在賑災發放和處理各不同個案時的一些現場實錄狀況，也收錄了上人的開示。所有出席該交流會的醫務人員，都仿佛經歷了一趟珍貴的心靈之旅，獲益不淺。

◎　以人為本　膚慰病苦

“慈濟醫院與其他醫院很不一樣，比較注重愛及心靈上的關懷！醫院到處都有志工陪伴病人，很貼心！”中醫師王玟富從林執行長的分享中發現了慈濟醫院的特色。

也是慈濟人醫會成員的王玟富醫師年紀輕輕已有五年的中醫看診經驗，發揮本身的良能在半山芭義診中心排班義務替病人看診。從去年接觸慈濟後就積極投入於環保及定期每月與志工們到新古毛殘障中心送愛，為殘障兒清洗身體。他覺得這不幸的一群，不能夠選擇也不能夠改變這一世的人生劇本，身為幸運的一群更要盡力幫助他們。

王玟富醫師說，有一部份病人因不能從其他治療管道獲得滿意的效果，而改尋中醫治療。這些病人往往會對中醫師要求很高。盡管本身已盡心協助病人，但依然不能令病人滿意，心理難免會責怪自己。

“林執行長說醫師應處處為病患著想，在診斷時需把所有的治療結果都計算在內；以病患的處境為出發點，盡量將風險降到最低。如治療效果還是不盡如人意，也不要太自責，凡夫畢竟還是凡夫，難免有失誤。”

“以人為本，對病人要付出更多的愛心，多給予心靈上的輔導。”這是當晚王醫師的收穫，也將會是王醫師往後行醫路上遵循的座右銘。王醫師期許自己今年能夠撥出更多時間參與慈濟活動，也希望因緣成熟能回台灣花蓮參與國際人醫會年會。

◎　醫者父母心

曾經在大馬衛生部服務超過三十五年的前牙醫總監威努可巴（Dr. Venugopal），縱然已經退休，但是依然熱心於服務人群，並一直秉持著“為善不落人後”的信念來回饋社會。

健談的威努可巴醫生笑著說：“我其實早幾年就曾經聼過一些同事提起慈濟兩個字，當時乍聼之下還以為是有關太極之類的活動，因為‘Tzu-Chi’和‘Tai-Chi’，念起來語音就很相似呀，所以也就不以為意！後來因爲工作關係一直被調排到不同的州屬去服務。直至去年年頭，才開始真正接觸慈濟。”

“機會來了，就要好好把握。”威努可巴醫生回憶起當時在住家附近因為好奇心驅使，遇見一名正在做資源回收的慈濟環保志工，跟他交談後就開始認識慈濟。然後自己回家上網查詢時發現慈濟四大志業所發展的領域之廣而心生佩服。

後來，威努可巴醫生親自到巴生義診中心去觀察及見證，並和另外兩位志工深談後，内心深處突然浮現一種說不上來的感覺，仿佛這就是自己一直在尋找的心靈歸依處，因此馬上捐款給慈濟，同時也加入人醫會並每個月定時到該義診中心提供服務。

除此之外，他也積極參與巴生河流域一帶的難民義診活動。值得一提的是，平時喜歡下廚的他，還曾經在義診結束後，當起主廚烹煮素食讓全體四十幾位志工品嘗，大家開心自己更開心！同年九月，他回到了花蓮參與國際慈濟人醫會年會，並見到了證嚴上人，可謂因緣殊勝。

威努可巴醫生表示非常理解為何當初林執行長捨得放下本來擁有的事業和成就，轉而投身於慈濟志業的決定。他覺得，擁有名利和物質上的財富，都比不上心靈上的富足來得快樂和滿足，而這些心靈財富，在慈濟裡就俯拾即是。

林執行長在整個交流會的重點分享，即“人本醫療”，也是威努可巴醫生 一直以來所抱持的服務方針。“身為盡責的醫務人員，就要把病人當成自己的親人一樣，盡全力給予他們最好的服務，正所謂“醫者父母心”呀！”

◎　從實踐中體會

目前在馬大醫學院任教的茱奈達教授（Professor Junaidah Sanusi）表示慈濟是一個完全以“志工”組成的自願團體，而“志願精神”這一門學問，是在課堂上無法傳授的，只能從參與和實踐中體會。

“在慈濟裡看到那麽龐大的志願團隊，跨越宗教和種族，每個人都抱著同一個宗旨，就是以慈悲心促進社會祥和，實屬難能可貴。而以病人為中心的醫療服務被賦予豐富的人文價值，這一點更是非常值得推崇。”

另外，茱奈達教授也提到，剛從台灣慈濟引進大馬並首次成立於馬大醫學院的“大體捐贈專案”將為本地醫學界，尤其是對醫學上的學術鑽研帶來一定的突破和成就。