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Feb 2016
From the Editor
I Van die Redakteur
Paul van Dam
W
e hear and talk
about “evidence-
based medicine”,
which is formally
defined as the
“process of systematically reviewing,
appraising and using clinical research
findings to aid the delivery of optimum
clinical care to patients.” Our clients
expect this, and do their own search
for information on Google (although
this often is without being able to
distinguish fact from fiction, leading
to misinformed clients), but also
expect us to provide more detailed
reasons for the treatment of choice.
Veterinarians use personal experience,
but also other sources such as
colleagues, CPD events and published
evidence to improve their own
knowledge-base and so do the best
for their clients.
Why do we not also implement an
“evidence-based living” approach?
Why can we rely on others for
information on cases and their
treatment, but not when it comes
to living life? Why do we often say
“Thanks for your input, but it will not
work for me” (without even trying)?
Why do we believe that we are
different, that we (unlike others who
tried before) will be able to retire at
a younger age if we work long hours
every day of the week for 10 or 15
years, and that we will spend more
time with family once we have made
enough money? Why are we willing to
be on call 24/7 to see patients, but not
for our life-mates, children and other
loved ones? Come to think of it, why
do we believe that we will live to see
retirement?
Listen to those who came before you.
Read scholarly articles on the topic, if
you require research-based evidence.
Evidence shows that most people
are not able to stick to the grandiose
plans of early retirement. The 15 years
will become 20, will become 25 and
eventually 50 years of slogging. You
cannot make up for time not spent with
your children when they were growing
up. The expensive, fancy cricket bat/
Barbie doll/iPhone/game station will
never replace a hug. You will never see
the musical/show that you postponed
because there was no time. The
wedding anniversary you pushed
aside to make room for yet another
emergency can never be repeated.
There are no medals for being available
24/365 to your clients. When, still
slogging away, you pass away, your
clients will sooner rather than later
adapt to your replacement.
On the other hand, all around you
there is evidence that there are
huge rewards in living a balanced
life, in continuously building your
relationship with your life-partner,
with your children, with your friends.
In enjoying “Swan Lake on Ice” or a
live performance by the Parlotones/
Guy Buttery/Adam Tas/Freshlyground
or whoever is to your liking, an
impromptu beer with friends, a pizza
at home, a ball game with your kids or
drinking that special bottle of wine you
were saving for that special occasion,
right now.
Invest in time, not money!
v
On the
Dam Wall
It took me almost 60 years. Call me a slow learner, if you want – but
I am convinced that I am no different than others. Almost sixty years
to realise that we should listen to the advice of others when it comes
to living life, that we should not bump our heads or toes against the
same obstacles that others did, but that we should listen and learn to
avoid such.
Do not live to regret the opportunities that passed by, the relationships that never were,
the chances you did not take, the sunsets you never shared.
Carpe diem
!