My Brief Medical Dilemma - Dr. Ed Iannuccilli

My Brief Medical Dilemma - Dr. Ed Iannuccilli

It’s not uncommon for people to ask me for guidance regarding their medical care. I appreciate their confidence in me, but this was a test.

“Hi, Dr. Ed. Do you have a minute?”

“Sure. How can I help?”

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“I think I need a cardiologist. Something’s going on, and I need to see someone soon.” After a few questions, I decided that he was right. I suggested a physician and asked, “Would you like me to call her for you?”

“That’d be great. Sure.”

“One question. Have you been vaccinated?”
“No.”

“Hmmm. Why not? You should be.”

“Don’t believe in it, Dr. Ed. The whole thing may be a hoax.  Don’t trust the vaccines. May have bad side effects.  Have they even been approved?” With the daunting statistic of over 700,000 Americans dead and rising, I was perplexed.

I tried to communicate clearly and frankly about his need to be vaccinated while trying to understand his fears and their origins. He peppered his statements with politics, but I avoided that. “This is not a political issue. It is a medical issue. Yes, the vaccines have been tested and approved.”

Clenching my teeth and squirming in my chair, I paused, then continued. “I am confused. Why would you believe in, and trust, my advice about your urgent medical issue, and not trust or believe my advice about something just as critical?”

“Good point. Just don’t, Dr. Ed. Guess I’m just afraid.”

I remained calm as I fell into a metronomic abyss, bobbing between annoyance and my need to help; caught between being a physician and being an unsympathetic, irritated citizen. The needle pointed to physician and for being his advocate.

I was trying to make sense of it. Of his opinion, and my reaction. Of a tension, I rarely encountered in patient care. He was asking advice about one thing and refusing it about another just as important. I was holding back. It was something new for me, and I had to sift through it. Did he not have confidence in me?

After speaking a bit more about vaccinations and their role in medical care for so many years, I helped him find a cardiologist. “Let me know how you do.” I tried one last time to explain to him the need for being vaccinated in this ongoing pandemic; of his obligation to himself, his family, and his fellow citizens.

Yes, my dilemma was brief. I hesitated no longer. I gave him the guidance he needed.  It’s something I’ve done for years. However, at times, it can be challenging.

I learned from our discussion my need for more patience during these testy times, more understanding and, even more, the need to educate, calmly, about the vaccine necessity.

He called two weeks later. “Thanks, Dr. Ed. I saw the cardiologist. She was great. She has scheduled me for tests. Thanks for the referral. And, oh, yeh, I got the vaccine.”

I sat back, smiled, and oozed my reply. “Good . . . for you . . .”

Dr. Ed Iannuccilli is the author of three popular memoirs, “Growing up Italian; Grandfather’s Fig Tree and Other Stories”, “What Ever Happened to Sunday Dinner” and “My Story Continues: From Neighborhood to Junior High.”  Learn more HERE.