Visiting the Sick

“Miserable comforters are you all…” (Job 16:2)

Sometimes, we act just like Job’s friends. When visiting the sick, we must guard our tongues.

Too many patients have had to endure well-meaning visitors describing horrible tragedies. They tell stories of people who had the same procedure and died, or who suffered from hospital neglect.

Avoid Medical “War Stories”

We should never compare medical war stories. Sharing horror stories can make a patient fearful and even slow down their recovery.

Keep Visits Brief and Considerate

When we visit the sick, we should keep the following tips in mind:

• Keep it brief: Make your visits short and speak in a soft, gentle voice.
• Do not overwhelm: Do not crowd the patient with too many visitors at once. If the room is already full, wait outside.
• Be considerate of others: Respect other patients who might be sharing the room.
• Listen well: Listen closely to the patient and offer genuine words of comfort instead of bringing them down.

Control Your Reactions

A doctor once shared this helpful advice:

“Do not reveal negative emotional reactions through your voice, facial expression, or manner. The patient may want to show you their wound or surgical details. At times, the patient may be in a pitiful condition, or the odor in the room may make the visit unpleasant. Remember that the conscious patient is already embarrassed by their condition and worried about being a burden to others.” (from Wayne Emmons)