Abraham Maslow

Don't know him? If you are preparing for a career in medicine, you should!

This topic deserved a post all its own. One of the greatest gifts given to me on this rotation is the Maslow hierarchy of needs. Needs...we all have them, and when left unfulfilled, they can wreak havoc on us in many ways. One of those ways is via health status.

When a 19 year-old girl with a flat affect, poor social skills due to molestation and abandonment issues, and a history of miscarriages comes into the office, and after delivering her daughter 10 months ago finds out that she is pregnant once again, think of Maslow.

When a 42 year-old woman who's in an abusive marriage comes in for irregular bleeding, think of Maslow.

When a 20 year-old homeless girl with a history of drug abuse, depression, endometriosis, absent parents, and abusive relationships refuses to be discharged from the hospital because she has nowhere else to go and likes Dilaudid, think Maslow!!

Practicing good medicine is treating the acute condition. Practicing great medicine is understanding the psychology behind the diagnosis. Often times I find myself wondering why patients do the things they do. Why do they take chances with their bodies. How is it possible for a young person to have such a long list of complaints. Why is she having another baby. The answer is Maslow. Understand that, and the picture becomes more clear. Medicine, whether you practice Psychology or not, is all about psychology. Talk to your patients and give them more than pills. Give them your ear. Let them know you are aware of the conditions they are in. Offer them assistance if you can. Refer them to counselors and psychologists. Most of all, let them be heard. If possible, work with them to fulfill whatever need that should be met. Do that, and the behavior begins to change. Do THAT, and the body can begin to heal itself.

Maslow's hierarchy of needs...look it up!