So there I was on the hard couch lying with my arms up in the air, splayed out with lasers crossing over me..and there was a query. Radiotherapy has to be such an exact science - just as well frankly with the patient feeling like a piece of chicken in the microwave. Where the ray enters your pody is the ' median edge' and 'post edge' is where it exits. Well, today there was a problem with the 'median edge'as the staff felt it wasn't possibly covering part of the breast area. Fine, I think it is wonderful that people are brave enough to check their own decisions with others. I find it a sign of courage and a quality to be lauded. The doctor was therefore bleeped.
He arrived, reviewed the measurements and was nearly off before I had my say. This doctor had a beautiful view of me, topless, splayed out on the table and he didn't even say hello.
I was shocked beyond belief. Surely we are not SO busy on the NHS that the basic principles of manners and courtesy can be ignored? How DARE he treat me like a piece of steak for his edification?! So, naturally, I spoke up - my exact words were', Don't doctors say hello to their patients any more?' I admit, it wasn't exactly pithy or terribly witty but it got the point over.. A double apology from the doctor concerned and a lot of grinning from the three radiographers around me....
We are patients, not meat. People with feelings, worries and concerns. I, honestly, am not that bothered about him but I spoke up for the sake of the young, the elderly, the frightened and the timorous. Cancer, for most people, is the most frightening thing to ever happen to them. The job of the medic is to soothe not just the body, but also the mind...
Minerva
23 comments:
Good for you! Being in the health care field, I have to say that unfortunately many times it takes a patient to rock a health professional back on their heels...and rightly so! We all need a realistic nudge once in awhile.
And have to agree...a simple hello takes a nanosecond, but means the world to the patient. Glad to see you're one of the ones to speak up!
Yep Min, you've been here before with doctors haven't you?. You're absolutely right to take this attitude. I often take my mum to hospital where she is regularly reduced to set of (quite often lost) case notes. The feisty ones will inherit the earth...
But poor old you stuck there - must have been horrid :-( The last thing you want to do is have to kick off at some rude male doctor at a moment like that.
Hugs
(BTW Did I mention that I'm still posting a bit at my old blog?)
Well done you for speaking up. All too often these so called professionals ignore the etiquette required. Frankly it is nothing other than poor manners so good for you. The other annoying thing is being asked the same questions for the 14th time by someone that has your file in front of them but can't be bothered to look for the answers on the page.
If I did that with my clients I wouldn't have any left (I am an employment lawyer) but I suppose that is the difference between a commercial proposition and one where you have no choice - BUT it shouldn't be that way.
sending you hugs!
I couldn't agree with you more, Minerva...The Health Care system everywhere seems to have completely deteriorated--there is no longer the care for the patients feelings that there was at one time...this is so very sad and scary too, exactly for the reasons you said...I'm glad you spoke up.
Well done for speaking up - though I would expect no less of you!! *hug* You are DEFINATELY on the road to recovery - signs of the your old self are breaking through (only the positive ones naturally!). ;-)
Can you post this message as one of your "posts" on your frontpage? Thanks much!
------------------------
Dear Cancer Bloggers:
This is a message to those of you who maintain/read/participate in blogs related to cancer. Might we request your assistance in an academic study about cancer blog usage?
My name is Deborah Chung, and I am an assistant professor at the University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Telecommunications. My research focuses on the use of new communication technologies and their potential to empower information consumers. Currently, I am interested in examining how health information seekers, particularly cancer patients and their families/friends, adopt blogs.
I am teaming up with Dr. Sujin Kim, also at UK, who is an assistant professor in the School of Library and Information Science and has a sub-specialization in medical informatics. She has been working closely with the UK Cancer Center to build a biorepository information system (UK-BIS) for lung and ovarian cancer samples. Together, we would like to learn about how new information channels, such as blogs, are being used by cancer patients and their families/friends — specifically we are interested in their motivations, uses and consequences of using blogs.
As approved by our internal review board (IRB) at UK, this study is an anonymous survey that does not carry any risks to cancer patients. At the same time, we believe the information gathered from this study will greatly contribute to our understanding of the adoption of new communication technologies by cancer patients. This information will in turn assist in supporting the needs of cancer patients for future information technology and service development.
Thus, we would appreciate your participation in our survey. You can find the survey here. You might get a notice regarding the validity of the certificate. If that happens, please continue to proceed.
We appreciate your time, and thank you in advance for your help.
Sincerely,
Deborah S. Chung, Ph.D
Assistant Professor
School of Journalism & Telecommunications
University of Kentucky
dchung@uky.edu
Sujin Kim, Ph.D
Assistant Professor
School of Library & Information Science
University of Kentucky
sujinkim@uky.edu
Good for you. I'm glad you gave him a relizty check.
There is a woman doc here in our area who writes a short column once a month. Her story today was about "turning cases into people", and how docs can see their patients as people, not illnesses. Your guy needs to read her column!
Hi, Min. I haven't been by in awhile. Back at the office now and very busy. Looks like you are all in the heat of radiation. I don't even have my tan anymore and glad of it! I'm glad you brought common courtesy to the docs attention. Hugs....MT
reminds me of the lines from Robin Williams character, Patch Adams, the doctor asks if there are any questions: Patch asks: "what is her name?"
oh by the way... my brother went to England AGAIN and forgot to pack me.
after UK he is off to sail the mediteranean for a few days - double hurt to my stay at home self.
Good for you! You probably helped more patients then you'll know by reminding that doc to get his bedside manner in check.
Good for you for speaking out! Sounds like the other personnel realised too.
Obviously your medic learned his bedside manner from the tax man! Bravo for taking a stand for decent manners. If only people woudl do this more often in all walks of life we'd be better off. To be rude in a setting like that is just scary though!
I just wanted to say Hello and that I came here from Michael Manning's blog. I found you on his blog list of links. I'll be reading up on your posts. This first one I'm reading I like very well. In dealing with Doctor's alot lately myself with my Father's declining health, I'd have to agree with you 100% that doctors and all medical professionals need to take a few moments to atleast say hello to their patients. It means so much and takes so little effort on their part.
I've bookmarked you and will return. (My Mother is a coloncancer survivor)
I didnt realise you were in the UK. Don't know how I missed it.
Best wishes.....
Oh, I can picture this scene *very* well......;-)
Fore some reason I'm also put in mind of an album cover I remember from the 80s....by the Scorpions.
Glad to see how well you're doing - the feisty putdown says a lot...
Lx
It always amazes me that the care and attention lavished on patients on TV programs and in movies doesn't translate to real life.
Good on you for fighting and trying to change the system. Yay you!
And hope your post and median edges are feeling better...
Kisses
Minxy
I love it. I've gone for second opinions and switched dictors because of a doctor's bedside manner. I don't want to regularly see someone who is happy to take my money but not going to be at the very least polite about it!
Evil Minx...you know one of the problems we have about the reality of out health service is the fact that tv (especially) has long painted such a completely stupid, fictitious picture of it.
You know the drill - underworked nurses sitting on beds and having cosy fireside chats with patients, flint jawed doctors agonising about the right treatment, surgeons shedding a tear at learning that Little Johnny Didn't Make It. Etc etc. It's all bollocks.
Minerva, I hope you write a letter of complaint about this. Hopefully that doctor will get it and not do that to another patient in the future.
Wow! I think I just fell in love with you for that!
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