I want to preface this post by saying that I have the utmost respect for the dedicated men and women in the medical field. A few weeks ago I had a pain in my chest and it seemed to pass as quickly as it came. Several concerned neighbors stopped by when they saw the firetruck outside of my house. They encouraged me to go to the Emergency Room; although I politely declined their request they insisted that I needed to go. I felt fine but finally acquiesced to their request.

The nurses hooked me up to an EKG and took a number of vials of blood to run tests. One of the nurses was taking my blood pressure and pulse said, “You must be a runner.” I said, “Yes, I don’t think it’s my heart,” but they continued to test for a heart attack. The physicians assistant came in was treating my condition as a possible heart attack. I said, “I don’t think that’s the problem.” She gave me some aspirin and I said, “I’m prefer not to take it.” She said, “Take the aspirin!”

Everyone assumed it was a heart attack but no one asked me about my medical history. No one asked me about my day or what I had to eat – they were insistent on treating me for a heart attack. I reflected back to Dr. Jerome Groopman’s book, How Doctors Think. He points out that on average, a physician will interrupt a patient describing her symptoms within eighteen seconds. In that short time, many doctors decide on the likely diagnosis and best treatment. Often, decisions made this way are correct, but at crucial moments they can also be wrong.

All my tests came back negative, my heart was fine and they never did find the cause for my chest pain. The reason is no one was looking for anything other than a heart attack. The medical team had one focus – treat this guy for a heart attack. I realize heart disease is the leading cause of death in America, but not every one has heart disease. The hospital was satisfied they had done their job – your heart is in fine shape, you can go now – we’ve done our job. What was the cause of my chest pain – I don’t know.

Then I received the bill.  It’s amazing what an emergency room bed costs for 2 hours. They even charged me for the aspirin! My favorite hotel chain is a lot less than the hospital room and they even give you a complimentary chocolate chip cookies and a newspaper!

As I reflected upon this incident, I wondered, “Do I demonstrate tunnel vision?” I look at a situation and think, “I know what’s going on.” The truth is I don’t know what’s going on and with a healthy dose of humility I pray that I can avoid tunnel vision. May I be a person who listens to discern the real problem.

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

Follow me on twitter:  rickhiggins5