Seeing a baby sitting in her father’s lap, ready to receive her first shots, Music Man readers may think they know exactly what comes next: a tense moment as the parents watch anxiously while the doctor delivers the shot, and then heartbreaking wails as the baby tries to process the sharp scratch she’s just been subjected to. However, viewers may be surprised when they see the unique method Dr. William Gerba came up with in order to distract his patients from the pain of their shots.
Singing a jolly tune, this doctor soon had his patient giggling and, as he delivered her shot, there were no tears to be seen—only smiles as the doctor continued to sing. The parents were amazed by the baby’s lack of reaction, but the doctor humorously warned, “I won’t get away with it twice.” Sure enough, after the second jab, the baby’s tears started to pour. Nonetheless, the doctor’s amazing technique stunned viewers online, with one commenting, “Some people are born to be paediatricians.”
Another viewer commented that a doctor’s distraction technique had worked on her as she received a jab for carpal tunnel, proving that this technique is not just for babies but can work for adults too. In fact, music has been increasingly used in medical settings, and research shows that it has the potential to greatly improve patient experience when receiving treatments for conditions as varied as lung disease, Parkinson’s, depression, and even cancer, proving just how healing music can be.
Clearly, Dr. William Gerba is one doctor who understands the power of music when used in a medical setting. He has now become well known online for his videos singing to children as they receive their shots, with multiple clips going viral. They prove that his singing technique isn’t just a one-hit wonder, but works again and again to either keep babies smiling or, as Music Man fans can see in this video, keep their distress to the absolute minimum.
As many of our Music Man readers are sure to relate to, I find videos of babies crying as they receive their shots to be absolutely heartbreaking, which made this video of Dr. Gerba’s musical approach all the more heartwarming. As a music lover who has relied on music to get through tough times, it’s inspiring to see music used to ease pain and anxiety in such a touching way. Seeing this doctor’s innovative method has also got me wondering whether the same thing might work on me, too. Perhaps next time I visit the doctor, I’ll ask if he’s up for a rendition of ‘Hey Jude’ while administering my treatment.
Dr. William Gerba’s musical approach to patient care has shown how a simple tune can transform tense moments into cheerful ones, benefiting both young and adult patients alike. As research continues to affirm music’s healing power across various medical treatments, his innovative method is certainly an inspiring example. To delve deeper into the benefits of music in medical settings and explore more heartwarming stories like this, check out the useful links below.