EMOTIONS, DOUBTS AND REFLEXIONS 
THROUGH THE EYES OF A FIRST YEAR INTERN 
IN GENERAL PRACTICE / FAMILY MEDICINE

Every single year a large number of young doctors join the vast network of general practitioners across the country, carrying a huge dose of motivation and a hand full of doubts, a stage characterized by insecurity mainly due to lack of experience. This episode is about a clinical appointment between a first year intern in general practice and a patient and his daughter who have attended to Primary Care Unit to request a CT-scan in order to exclude stroke due to seven-day prostration. Not having their family doctor but a 20-year doctor instead on such a vulnerable moment, in addition to not having fulfilled patient’s agenda, led to an hostile environment. After validation from my tutor, we agreed to book a revaluation appointment. After 2 weeks, they were seen by their family doctor, referring now disorientation, sickness and memory loss. At this point, a CT-scan was requested which revealed a cranial meningioma. On a third appointment, i realized the daughter was more approachable, giving me the opportunity to explore why the first one wasn’t that effective. During an hour we discussed their fears regarding the new diagnosis, the patient intervened more and the daughter smiled. This episode shows the determinant family’s role and the importance of the patient-doctor relationship, being vital concepts such as empathy and clinical communication skills for an effective appointment, allowing a convergence of doctor’s and patient’s agendas.