en·gage
/enˈgāj/
Verb
1.Occupy, attract, or involve (someone’s interest or attention).
2.Cause someone to become involved in (a conversation or discussion).
I remember being 16 yrs old, in a pharmacy, waiting for a prescription (probably for strep throat). I remember my first interview with a Naturopathic student, at the teaching clinic, getting irritated at the amount of questions she was asking me about my health, life, habits, symptoms, aggravations, ameliorations, temperature, etc etc. And now, 9 yrs later…….the word coming to mind is “engage”.
The biggest change, yet probably the most subtle change, has been my engagement with my health; with my body, my mind, emotions, and spirit.
My computer recently crashed. The lovely and patient computer tech, explained to me all the ins and outs of what happened, what he had to do to fix it, and the possible prognoses. “Just tell me” I asked, “will it be ok?”
In a sense, this is what 16 y.o., and 24 y.o. Donata, wanted – at the pharmacy, or at my first Naturopathic appt. I just wanted it to get better, the rest were details I didn’t need to know. But really, in this age of technological advancement, I absolutely need to know. And so maybe, in the future, I will recognize the warning signals. He was offering a chance for me to engage – understand, appreciate, make note, and learn.
Engaging the person in their health care may be the #1 most important thing the Naturopathic Doctor does. Whatever the openness of the patient may be. One of our principles states, “Doctor as Teacher”. And doesn’t the most enjoyable learning come through the teaching that engages?
