Doctor Toon | Dr Somjet Tosamran
a physician specialised in internal medicine of the nervous system

Encouragement that can be touched, in the restoration of the nervous system

Dr Somjet Tosamran, or Doctor Toon, a physician of internal medicine of the nervous system, has revealed the challenge and the hope in caring for patients who have met with a state of the nervous system, whose life has changed suddenly, together with emphasising the power of restoration that will change a patient from one lying bed-bound so that they come back to walking once again

The severity of a disease of the nervous system, particularly a state that makes the patient unable to live life, work, or do various things normally, can result in life "changing from the palm of the hand to the back of the hand" within a time of only 1 second. However, for Doctor Toon, in the position of a physician who cares for these patients, being part of what makes a patient able to have a better quality of life is the most important driving force and value

Doctor Toon tells of an experience that creates great inspiration, namely seeing the change of a patient in the long term, such as some patients who entered the hospital on a stretcher, and when they went home still had to use a wheelchair or a walker, but in the end were able to "walk back to me, without needing to use any equipment to help". This is the proof that, although the substance of the brain that has already died cannot be restored, "the friend that is beside it", or the remaining part of the substance of the brain, can learn and perform the duty in its place, if it receives teaching and stimulation suitably through the doing of physiotherapy

Doctor Toon says that the most important thing that makes restoration succeed is "the patient themselves, which is the physiotherapy". But the big problem that makes some patients disheartened is "not seeing the progress", even though in truth the symptoms are improving continually

In the position of a physician of internal medicine of the nervous system, Doctor Toon therefore emphasises the important role of assessing and communicating the progress, so that the patient sees it clearly, such as the physician saying specifically "you are better, you are beginning to have more strength", which will be the thing that drives the patient to have the energy and the encouragement to do physiotherapy continuously, and in the end the physiotherapy of each day will gather together and lead to better recovery in the end

Doctor Toon has also given the example of innovation and technology, such as a glove helping in movement, which is another important instrument that has come in to help strengthen the learning of the brain. These innovations help strengthen both the muscles and the nerves, together with promoting the brain to learn correct movement once again. Doctor Toon believes that, even though it is only helping the patient a little each day, it will lead to great recovery in the long term

"Every patient can have a better quality of life after various bad events have arisen"

– Doctor Toon

Doctor Toon has left a thought, that what Thai people still lack is awareness in caring for themselves before the disease arises. But if the disease has already arisen, one should not be disheartened or think that it is a matter of bad luck, because cooperation in the care between the physician, the patient, and the carer will bring about a better quality of life, not only for the patient themselves, but also including the carer as well