Text: Hwang Shu-Zhen, Yang Jin-Yen Photography: Guo Xue-Zhen Translation: Shannon Thong
Dr. Hsia Yi-Jan aspires to be a doctor who “listens to his patients” and endeavor to meet the patients’ requirements.
Dr Hsia Yi-Jan, Director of Dentistry Department of Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, joined Tzu Chi Medical Group after he had retired from Tri-Service General Hospital seven years ago. As a Catholic, Hsia Yi-Jan can feel that the internal planning of Tzu Chi Hospital is different from other hospitals as the former places great emphasis on the spirit of humanistic culture.
“The greater our generosity, the greater our blessings” is the one among the aphorisms which has greatly impressed him. Dr. Hsia is a down-to-earth person who speaks gently and always has a smile on his face. He shared that he always uses this aphorism to encourage himself and his patient whenever he sees a worried and sad patient. In the past, medical students, interns and resident doctors learned from him and assisted him where necessary. Sometimes, he had bad temper when he was under pressures. Since he joined Tzu Chi, he has been very hands-on. His temperament has improved through frequent reading of these Jing Si Aphorisms.
“Is the patient feel at ease?” is a frequent phrase from Dharma Master Cheng Yen which is quoted by Superintendent Dr. Chao You-Chen. Dr. Hsia Yi-Jan quoted this phrase and shared that before he joined Tzu Chi, he had patient who led a gangster group. The patient lost his dignified appearance as his face was distorted after oral cancer surgery. The patient then chose to end his life as he deeply suffered from losing his dignity. At that moment, Dr. Hsia felt deep regret for this patient. After he came to Tzu Chi, he strongly echoed the emphasis of “listening to what patients say” by Dharma Master Cheng Yen in his relationship with patients. He has regained his mission as a doctor. Isn’t this the main mission?
Previously, Dr. Hsia had a patient who worked as a security guard. The patient was delaying in medical treatments as he was concerned that he would lose his job and would not be able to financially support his 88-year old mother, as a result of facial deformity post-surgery. Dr. Hsia told the patient in a more considerate manner “I have a treatment to preserve your facial appearance while relieving 80% of your pain without any risk…”
The treatment mentioned by Dr. Hsia Yi-Jan is facial appearance and functions of a patient with tumor in lips or corners of the mouth. Dr. Hsia has seen many patients suffering from distorted or swollen lips after the lip cancer surgery. As the patients were not able to recover their pre-surgery facial appearances, the traumatic feeling of facial deformity probably far exceeded the pain from surgical treatment. This reminded him that in the past, he as a doctor was focusing on curing the patients in a speedy manner, carrying out surgeries whenever possible and pursuing the number of surgeries performed. Nowadays, he takes into consideration the means of meeting the patients’ requirements. If a patient is concerned of losing the facial appearance, job and financial capability of supporting family members post-surgery, he will endeavor to find a treatment to preserve the patient’s facial appearance.
Through many treatment cases, Hsia Yi-Jan is no longer a doctor who goes by a text book to treat his patients. He always researches the means to relieve the pain while preserving the facial appearances of his patients. Throughout last few years, his main endeavor was to preserve the dignity, quality of life and the feeling of ease at heart of his patients.
Practice Great Love Through Participating in Medical Missions
Dr. Hsia Yi-Jan participated in the 9th session of TIMA and International Relief mission after typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines. Tzu Chi volunteers and the medical team worked cohesively, selflessly and courageously although they were not able to sleep and eat well at the relief site. Every night, all of them would have a warm dinner together like family members. He had never have such joyful and heart-warming moment until he personally experienced the selfless contribution and getting to know the victims through warm interaction with and caring of them. With love being inspired, Hsia Yi-Jan decided to devote the spirit of TIMA to people in need. He signed up for Tzu Chi volunteer training program upon returning to Taiwan.
He was greatly touched during three times of medical mission in Jordan. As there were regular black-outs on a daily basis in Jordan, he deeply regretted for not being able to treat the some refugees who had registered for his consultation. This prompted him to quickly join to the subsequent mission.
Dr. Hsia is participating TIMA Annual Convention for the 3rd time and is greatly impressed by the program this time. Besides feeling the passion of the volunteers, he is inspired by the program, especially the session on “Love is the Best Medicine” during the first night when Superintendent of each hospital presented the details of respective hospitals. These were really heart-warming.
One worth-noting story was shared by Superintendent Dr. Chien of Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital. A memorial video of the then Dr. Wu Yung-Kang, Chief of General Surgery of Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital, was shown on screen. Dr. Wu Yong Kang always treated his patients as family members and regarded the hospital as his home. He suffered from aortic dissection at work. In the video, the children of Dr. Wu mentioned that their father would only remember the details of his patients and the schedule of their surgeries, but could not remember matters at home. Although the comment sounded like a little complaint, everyone could feel that Dr. Wu’s children have great respect and regards of their father. Dr. Hsia could not hold back his tears when he was deeply touched by the greatness of Dr. Wu.
During the panel discussion, a medical doctor from Mainland China shared that temporomandibular joint problem is a result of how a patient lives and the pressure in life, etc. Dr. Hsia echoed the view and shared that in fact, temporomandibular joint problem was often caused by unmindfulness of some dentists. Hsia Yi-Jan was fueled with positive energy and feeling rewarded through sharing of treatment views with other doctors at the conference.
Dr. Hsia Yi-Jan concentrated on listening to the presentations at the Convention. He felt rewarded and touched.