Perspective
Spinner Mania; a Welcome Challenge or Imposed Nuisance
Sody A Naimer*
Department of Family Medicine, University of the Negev, Israel
*Corresponding author: Sody Naimer, Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, POB 653, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
Published: 31 May, 2018
Cite this article as: Naimer SA. Spinner Mania; a Welcome
Challenge or Imposed Nuisance. Ann
Clin Case Rep. 2018; 3: 1516.
Abstract
The current era of an abundance of gadgets and use of electronic media overwhelm the individual
and lead to distraction and fragmentation of one's attention. Both patients and their physician's
should remain cognizant of the deleterious impact of such devices on the intimacy of the doctorpatient
encounter. This essay presents an incident demonstrating a clash between patient autonomy
or convenience and the physician's agenda triggered by the renowned fidget spinner. The
repercussions of unnecessary interference can be prevented if all members of the interaction make
extra efforts to safeguard the unperturbed sanctity of the precious moments of the consultation.
Keywords: Distraction, Interference, Doctor-patient encounter, Fidget spinner
Perspective
I was never an enthusiast of fads, and at first confrontation with the symmetrical immaculately
balanced rotating gadget I was flabbergasted. Hey! Déjà vu, this reminds me of the old yoyos of the
sixties that we used to spend hours practicing mastering the intricacies of tricks and maneuvers.
When my kids first demonstrated all of the fidget spinner's attributes, its ingenious design, and the
physics of its deceptively simple-appearing motion, I was difficult to convince. After the first tap
you become completely passive. That's it. Oh well, one of my schoolteacher's famous sayings was
always "small things amuse small minds" I muse. At least the job will divert my thoughts to more
constructive mental exercises.
On my way to work I ponder over the plummeting level I perceive of interpersonal interaction
and the alienation brought about by technology of the modern generation. The human is today
overwhelmed by pumping marketing drives with irresistible media pressures; this is what models
'new' society.
The day at the clinic began with a line of routine visits until then, it happened! The dreaded
moment arrived. The mother entered the clinic and sat her child on the chair right next to her. We
are calmly discussing the aspects of whether junior may be suffering from an organic disorder at the
root of his longstanding complaints of abdominal pain and on and on he goes with this annoying
disturbance. Spinning and spinning, repeatedly. The noise, the monotony, the futility and tedium
is just about to tip my patience. I gradually sense rising contempt to this. If the mother fails to
exercise authority and discipline at this juncture, why should I care? What caught me in surprise was
the failure to comprehend, how it is, that an experienced clinician as myself, after so many years of
tolerance towards all kinds and sorts of behaviors I am about to surrender to a popularized gadget.
After all, what's the alternative? The altruistic personality that I've learned to identify with and in
time, fully adopt, has led me to complacently withstand odors, moods, any sort of dress, or the lack
of, accusations, requests, demands and even commands all in good form. I have never regretted
my career choice since the vigor, renewal, fulfillment and satisfaction I derive from each day at the
job, has no second. However, I've eventually accepted the brunt of impossible timetables and salary
cuts, bureaucracy and even conformation to the despicable 'quality measures'. Will I surrender to
this little kid's behavior and have it ruin this whole empire of unconditional devotion and lifestyle
of unlimited subservience? I try to recall, has it actually been established that this device genuinely
increases concentration or is this premise just another of numerous misleading facts manufacturers
brainwash us with in order to increase sales?
I try to complete the history and initiate verbal communication with the 7- year-old boy, but
he is too engrossed in his activity. Isn't it pertinent during counseling to maintain an atmosphere
whereby the therapist remains cool, calm and collected and retains at least passion if not overt
affection towards the help seeker? Who should be the one to dictate the terms of the interaction at
the office, myself or the subject requesting my service? Should I simply dismiss thoughts aroused
by this unintended intimidation or should this issue cultivate deliberation? I am not sure there is a definite answer to these questions.
Alas! The child parts from his toy as I initiate the physical
examination. (Perhaps I should have thought of this earlier on). How
soothing are the rhythmic heart sounds and amplified borborhygmi
detected while auscultating peristalsis. Redemption from my inner
conflicts was the sweetest experience.
We now live in era of distracted driving, distracted walking and
even distracted conversation. Once upon a time, at the job, the only
interference of the rapport we were accustomed to be the rare intruder
at the door, or the occasional receptionist in distress, the nurse's urgent
question, or the patients' knocking contemplating whether their
appointment had arrived unnoticed. The interruptions we condoned
were either by the message from the laboratory delivering the deviant
test result or by the telephone call from the long sought consultant.
Then, the computer entered our lives with jumping banners and
rubrics vital to fill. The last of all crimes, the smartphones entered
with incessant calls, messages and notices from individual parties or
groups, all so important. Now on the brink of dissemination of digital
eyeglasses that may once become ubiquitous, who is to safeguard the
sanctity of the intimate doctor-patient encounter?
That little spinner may just be the last straw. Nevertheless,
the adage: "There are no breakdowns, these are opportunities for
creativity" applies here perfectly. Thus, any fresh conflict, even if slight
and confined solely to the emotional domain should be adequately
resolved until equilibrium is accomplished. Tempting the patient
through story- telling, humor and complaint related pre-prepared
multimedia of my own, may achieve focused attention to our needs.
Allocating resources to engage youngsters as an active part of the visit
will reduce behaviors that may seem disturbing and mitigate their
feelings of detachment. I reconcile that the onus is on me to assure
that the prevailing atmosphere throughout the visit comfortably suits
all members of the consultation. The human chameleon behavior
pattern we have assumed throughout our vocational lives as family
doctors is precisely what can contribute to cope with this novel
challenge.
As we observe the speeded dynamics of communication and
its barriers within the human race, frontiers that lie ahead will yet
challenge physicians' wit and stamina. I feel that everything possible
should be done in order to adapt and introduce changes to provide
optimal care while guaranteeing that the sacred consultation remains
discrete and unperturbed.