The Patient as the Focus of Attention 1

The Patient as the Focus of Attention 1

Abstract

B xTRACTS~FR M O The Patient as the Focus of Attention’ BY GRACE WHITE (Professor of Medical Social Work, Medical Centre at Syracuse, State University of New York) HOW CAN THE DIETITIAN assume responsibility for helping the patient to be receptive to food she prepares for him if she is busy all day with her pots and pans, her forms and lists? One part of her job, as I see it, is to get the food on the tray (directly or indirectly); the other part is to improve the receptivity of the patient for the food (directly or indirectly). I suggest that a dietitian’s time should be divided judiciously between the two. Do I feel you withdrawing, sceptical? ” Ridiculous,” I can guess some dietitians are thinking, “ Have you ever been in a diet kitchen and do you understand all of what must be done?’ Yes, I have. I was intrigued and impressed by what I saw, particularly by the many individualpreparations that were being made. I could see that a big job was being done and carefully done; but I still contend your job has two parts and that preparation of the patient and helping him