The latest buzz word in health care is to make it ‘personalised’. This word I have noticed is used interchangeably with ‘precision’ medicine. Precision medicine is where drugs are ideally chosen to be used dependent on the genetic profile of each person. But this is hardly personalised! It may be precise, but it is definitely not the definition of personal.

When I consider the term ‘personal’, I consider the person and what it is to be a person.

There is far more to our make up as people than our genetic makeup! We are whole people with feelings, thoughts, sensitivities, dreams, aspirations, relationships, jobs, families, children and a whole host of assorted issues and personalities. There is far more to being a person than our genetics, our gender, and our anatomic arrangements!

Making something personal, means that we are cared for as a whole, that our uniqueness is taken into consideration, and that treatments are tailored for us as a person. As a whole person, not just a set of genes, organs and blood tests.

The notion of personalised means that things become exactly that. Personal. Where you connect with and develop a relationship with your doctor or other health care provider. Where you and your practitioner are seen and respected for the people that you are. Continue reading →