The Hospital Tour Part Two

Posted on Wed Sep 14th, 2016 @ 4:06am by Lieutenant Arnon Barak MD, PsyD & Commander Hans Munich & Lieutenant JG Victoria Drani M.D.

1,241 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Shadow Dance
Location: Capitol City Hospital
Timeline: Current

BEFORE:

"I am a physician," Arnon said. "And I have practiced in several fields. I currently practice as a psychiatrist, a physician who sees to the mental and emotional health of his patients. Do you have physicians who practice in this field? We offer outpatient treatment for those who are not a danger to themselves or others. For those whose behavior causes us to have safety concerns, either for the patient themselves or for the people around them, we offer inpatient treatment in a clinical setting. This can be what might be called a 'mental hospital' that specializes in this kind of treatment, or perhaps just a ward dedicated to mental and emotional health in a larger hospital that also treats other health related issues. Do you offer something similar to your people?"

NOW:

"Listeners." The Physician replied. "We call them Listeners and it is a coveted field." He continued. "They are soft souls that take on the worries and woes of others above their own." He looked to Arnon. "If you are a listener I give you my respects as I heal the body and Listeners heal one's soul." He nod. "It is said no higher calling than to care for others above yourself; as a Doctor ; as you call us, I hope to be in that higher calling and spent my life in the pursuit of it." He chuckled. "There is a place where we allow the Listeners to do their caring..." He moved towards a door. "I shall take you there."

"I am honored," Arnon replied following. On the sly, he winked at Victoria as soon as Vreetch's back was to them.

Victoria smiled at Arnon as the two followed Vreetch to the psychiatric ward. "I must admit that I am impressed so far, Vreetch," she complimented with a smile as she closed next to the man

"Thank you." He forced a return smile. "It is not easy to have our people in this condition." He sigh. "I can fix their bodies but their souls are something that I cannot touch I am afraid." He keyed the code to allow access.

The ward was well furnished with stout chairs and sofas; the largest furniture bolted to the ground. Also scattered tables; some with games or reading material, and the people in this ward seemed to go about things as though in their own worlds while others sat in a state of meditation or contemplation.

These are the higher functioning ones; they have more of a grasp of reality and are more open to the listeners. I admit some must be retrained for their own good but those have on duty care to see them through as best we can. I only wish we could heal their souls as easily as we can their bodies?"

"I could talk to my superiors about the possibility of an exchange," Arnon said. "Some of your Listeners could come to the Federation and some of our psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, and mental health counselors could come here. We could learn from each other."

"I would like that myself." The Doctor said. "The goal is to make them better and any help to that end is always welcome." He said with great humble sincerity.

Victoria was silent as she observed the exchange between Vreetch and Arnon. There was a clear change of attitude and body language when Vreetch spoke to her and Arnon. 'I don't think he likes me,' she thought, in communicating with Arnon. It made her wonder if women were looked down on compared to men, recalling that the marriage between the Princess and her sutor seemed to be arranged, or at least that is what she believed from her observations during the dinner. It was true betazoids had similar arrangements, but it was a dying tradition among her people now.

Arnon sensed Victoria's discomfort and gave another quick smile before replying to Vreetch.

"One of the advantages of the Federation is its diversity," he said. "For example, the mix of cultures presents us with a wide variety of medical practices. Some are race or culture specific, while others offer new and innovative ways to treat physical, mental, and emotional issues. And with so many professionals and researchers to draw knowledge from, there are new and exciting discoveries every day."

Vreetch felt that the female was indirectly accusing him and his medical personnel about combats and wars that do not exist. Though there were some border skirmishes; not many that came ot his attention, the Federation Doctor was a hostile guest while the "Listener" type on the male was more genuinely curious about the facility and open to exchange ideas between cultures without passing a judgement upon them.

Arnon had been checking Vreetch's emotional and physical reactions throughout the tour. He could sense the man's negative feelings. The emotional and physical response occurred primarily when Victoria spoke to Vreetch or whenever he was in some way focused on her. If Vreetch was on the defensive, they wouldn't be able to learn much.

"Your Listener facility is excellent," Arnon said. "There is a feeling of comfort here. I imagine that the patients feel more relaxed here than in their everyday lives. Providing a respite from the stresses the patients experience in the outside world is paramount to getting them to relax and open up. In our facilities we offer all manner of therapies. Individual counseling, medication management, group therapy, physical activities, art therapy, even pet therapy, where specially trained animals are brought in to interact with the patients. What treatments does your facility here offer? I assume from the title 'Listener' there is a fair amount of verbal interaction between your practitioners and the patients."

"The 'being' of a person controls the body; if that is not able to be calmed or is in turmoil, then it is the body that follows. WHile I can repair that body it is their essence that the Listeners try to touch. We have many things to try and relax and heal their being.He began. "Expressing ones self is a method; as you pointed out art is an expression and even typesof group relaxation excersises and we tend to want them to interact and not feel alone. Is it not common that depression and such brings feelings of isolation and thus causes more harm to the Being of an individual?"

"It is indeed," Arnon replied. He turned to Victoria. "Doctor Drani, is there another part of the hospital you would like to see?"

"No, I believe I've seen enough," she replied. "We should get back to the Calypso."

Arnon nodded and turned to Vreetch.

"Representative Vreetch, this has been a wonderful tour," Arnon said. "Your medical and psychiatric facilities are quite impressive. I will communicate as much to my commanding officer and, as promised, I will make inquiries into the possibility of an medical exchange program between Jenefra and the Federation so that our healers and listeners can learn from each other. Thank you again for the tour."

"I am at your service." Vreetch gave a himble nod of his head. "I will see that our healers and Listeners are ready when you want to exchange knowledge and experiances. May the Great One protect you in your travels."

OFF

Lieutenant JG Victoria Drani, MD
Chief Medical Officer
USS Calypso

&

Lieutenant Arnon Barak, MD, PsyD
Chief Counselor
USS Calypso

&

Vreetch
NPC'd by Darrell/Hans Munich

 

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