For any parent, hearing their child needs complex surgery can be terrifying. Medical terminology, uncertainty about outcomes, and the weight of making decisions can quickly become overwhelming. For multicultural families navigating an unfamiliar health system, those challenges can feel even greater.
In a recent episode of Chai, Chat & Community, I spoke with paediatric surgeon Professor Gordon Thomas from the Children’s Hospital at Westmead. We discussed how families can navigate difficult medical journeys with far greater understanding, trust, and confidence. A recurring theme was surprisingly simple—good medicine is not only about clinical expertise. It is also about clear communication, trust, and ensuring families feel supported.
They say a picture says a thousand words, and in Professor Thomas’s practice, that phrase comes alive. When faced with complicated diagnoses, parents and children often struggle to make sense of dense medical jargon. To break down that wall, he uses a remarkably warm and practical tool: a simple piece of paper and a set of coloured pens.
He explains his approach to connecting with young patients directly:
“When you sit down with a child and draw things out in different colours, the fear starts to fade. They can finally see what is happening inside their body instead of just hearing big words.”
This visual connection often creates a beautiful loop of gratitude. When these sick children recover and return home, many send him back their own gifts of paints, drawings, and colours. It is a touching reminder that behind high-tech operating theatres lies a deeply human relationship built on trust and care.
Professor Thomas trained at CMC Vellore in India before specialising in paediatric transplant surgery in the United States and joining the team at Westmead. Over his career, he has taken on some of the most extraordinary surgical challenges, including leading the complex separation of conjoined twins from Papua New Guinea and performing transformational liver transplants.
Yet, despite handling such high-stakes operations, his advice to parents centres on accessibility and advocacy. Reflecting on the fear parents experience, he says, “For very complex surgical endeavours, meticulous planning, coupled with working collaboratively and harmoniously together is vital for success. But it isn’t the surgeon alone—it is very much the team that surrounds them.”
He encourages parents, particularly those from multicultural communities who might feel shy or hesitant around medical specialists, to ask questions freely. When guiding families on how to navigate difficult choices, he says: “Parents should never hesitate to ask, ‘What would you do if this was your child?’ If an explanation is difficult to understand, ask us to slow down, use simpler language, or draw a picture. Seeking clarity is your right as a parent.”
Specialised medicine can sometimes feel rigid, but Professor Thomas reminds us that everything is achievable step-by-step. Behind sophisticated procedures sits something fundamental: a clear conversation, a shared drawing, and a team dedicated to helping a child heal.
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