why do doctors describe patients as pleasant

shouldnt be unnecessarily mean. They should just state the weight. Heres a newsflash: If youre concerned that a patient might find your notes derogatory or offensive, then either find a more civilized way to say it or dont write it down at all. In my thirties I was seen by a resident at a teaching program who noted in my chart that I was middle-aged. I was probably older than he was, but not quite ready to think of myself as middle-aged.. er, except for this. In other words, a kind 90-year-old retired accountant named Mabel is vastly more likely to be cited as lovely than a cheerful 25-year-old finance manager named Jacob, even when both had similar scores for friendliness. Less And in an era where increasingly patients have access to their medical notes a move I strongly support, by the way how do they feel if in some notes theyre described as delightful, and others they are not? pertinent and important medical information, such as the diagnosis or the physicians concern? to anything. Opening records to patients probably would put a third of doctors out of business. Weve all seen our doctors scribbling in our charts after the exam. But discrimination is institutionalized and dangerous in medicine, according to Dr Peter Muennig and Dr Alex Green of Harvard University and Massachusetts General Hospital, and it's worth knowing some of these terms that doctors may use to mask the severity of a situation or downright insult you (warning: some of these are offensive). 'Dolores' translates to pain so this 'literally means total body pain,' the doctor says. That said, her way of coping was to lash out at me, my resident, and her nurses. In the schoolyard, this healthcare provider was a bully. FYI GOMER comes from the book, House of God, it stands for Get Out of My ER. Comments are moderated before they are published. Medical charts are legal documents that can be reviewed by peers, Either may be followed up with a "SWAG" (Scientific Wild-Ass Guess). However, this acronym has gotten at least one doctor into troublewhen he scribbled it in a patient's chart and then later was asked to explain it in court. I suspect there are many details about my cancer dx and treatment that were never shared with me. The stories we nurses could tell you about what we have read.. And doctors say they worry that some medical terms can be taken the wrong way by patients. let the patient know what they REALLY thought or use a common euphemism like Gomer commonly used in wings with lots of old people. And OD is short for oculus dexter, or right eye, not for overdose. I was described as a very pleasant lady in the discharge letter sent from the fracture clinic to my GP. Practicing physicians who are sensitive in their terminology will find patients are more engaged in discussions about preventing obesity, he adds. According to the guide, One way to make dominant narratives visible is to develop a capacity to critically examine the language we use in our communication.. Just picture the world of the living as a bath tub. FDA-approved drug. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. Every decade beyond age 60 yields a greater likelihood of earning one of these adjectives. In fact, every decade beyond age 60 yields a greater likelihood of earning one of these adjectives. looks like a beached whale. Seriously. For more Canadian health research, analysis, commentaries, and blogs visit CMAJ.ca. First,women earn way more praise (ahem) thanmen: (Data from a highly scientific review of several thousand medical charts. Ill give her credit for putting the pleasant description in the physical exam this is where we put our observations, after all and leaving out the delightful and lovelylabels. There is no use for it, no justification for it, and it is downright dangerous and destructive on many levels (lawsuits driving insurance premiums Is thatfair? Even electronic information may be inaccurate or incomplete, found a study from the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. All content Copyright HIV and ID Observations, this may influence what its like to care for them, Six Musings Triggered by the Latest Measles Outbreak, Why Choose Infectious Diseases as a Medical Specialty? If a person is so pleasant or delightful or lovely that their doctor wants to praise them in the medical record, who am I to deny them this generosity? That is changing, however. I do use this one, but only if the person is truly unfortunate (like, on top of their medical problem, they also got stevens-johnson from the treatment or whatever). My father and I used to have the same doctor in our city of around 200,000. Not fat. Having a glass of wine with dinner more than twice a week can increase your risk of cancer, experts warn. Morbidly obese.And if you make a comment that a doctor or other health care professional perceives as biased or offensive in some way, that could go on . But I dont think doctors should have to censor their notes or dumb it down to make it easier for patients Adults in B.C. More common phrases like '"crack head" are commonly heard on the ward too.'. Ideally, the doctor would add something to that effect. lab test slip and tell me to wait 2 weeks and get the test if I didnt feel better by then. The specificity and problem notes with vanish underground It is a legal document. Is it some kind of code, and if so, what for? Can your patients read the file in your landsting? It's at this point you should realize that when you're surrounded by the sick and dying every day, no subject is too dark for comedy. Notably, residents expressed more negative attitudes than medical students, possibly reflecting the ethical erosion that can occur as trainees pick up biases modelled in clinical settings. 'As medical providers, on an unspoken level, I think [using these terms] is a coping mechanism, to make light of really difficult situations,' Dr Wang says. Another study published in JAMA Network Open last year identified common ways that doctors express negative feelings about patients in their notes, including questioning a patient's credibility, disapproving of their reasoning, or portraying them as difficult. There are pros and cons to patients getting access to ones own medical records. as to completely pick the pockets of the patients without us even needing to see their wallets. Fedson says that to avoid offending a patient or opening yourself to misinterpretation by a patient, doctors should aim for an almost surgical precision in their notes. Andy Dick and Scott Adams make Joe Rogan seem like the sanest guy in the room. Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group, Lookfantastic - Lookfantastic discount code, Treat yourself to offers on make-up and accessories, Get the right equipment and sportswear for less, Save money on outlet and full-price orders, Holland and Barrett - Holland and Barrett promotions, Click through to find the latest voucher codes, Feel good with amazing savings with Cult Beauty, Save money on your favourite brands this month. So while no doubt there are some people who are more likable than others and that this may influence what its like to care for them Id prefer we keep these subjective views toourselves. gasp! If you enjoy thinking your doctors are horrible people and want to think it more, this site has an enormous list of these terms that pretty much redefine cynicism. also give me a clue into the doctors attitude. I would dearly love to see my entire medical record. Add message. According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, noncompliance is defined as "failure or refusal to comply with something, such as a rule or regulation.". Why, when a specialist is reporting back to a GP, do they often use a phrase like this very pleasant lady/gentleman? Still other patients may just be looking for a drug fix, coming in with complaints of chronic pain, or in hopes that the physicians on shift will be more willing to prescribe than yesterday's were. But they can be difficult to get. into my life. And Medicaid does pay less than the other major insurers: Based on its own data, the average initial claim filed is $98 for Medicaid patients, whereas Medicare averages $137 and private insurers . Secrecy is another thing they do not deserve. Off-label use. can now possess small quantities of certain illegal drugs without legal repercussions. The point of the story is that access to medical records has benefits and challenges. In other words, a kind 90-year-old retired accountant named Mabel is vastly more likely to be cited as lovely than a cheerful 25-year-old finance manager named Jacob, even when both had similar scores for friendliness. Other patients become common faces in emergency rooms and clinics because of their hypochondriacs tendencies, constantly sure that they are gravely ill. What isnt understood is that normal is statistically described for a population by the lab doing the testing and, by definition, a small percentage who is not, in fact, a beached whale. As a veterinarian, my patient notes may include abbreviations not understood by my clients, but non-professional comments about beached whales do not belong in the medical record of any creature I am still upset by that off-handed comment. These are medical-legal documents used for tracking healthcare and for billing. As someone who really wanted to deliver naturally (and hard-headed enough to keep at it for many hours) it made all the difference in the world to know that Doctors are one important agent through which that scientific understanding is expressed. This all adds up to maximize confusion for patients. CC: Ms. Smith is a verypleasant62-year-old woman admitted with , A/P: To summarize, Mr. Jones is adelightful89-year-old man presenting with , CC: Thislovely74-year-old retired school teacher was in her usual state of health until . But researchers also point to possible downsides: Patients may panic if their doctor speculates in writing about cancer or heart disease, leading to a flood of follow-up calls and e-mails. Typically this includes a salvo of past medical history elements (i.e. Your medical record is a medical and legal document. ), sometimes so long that it earns a paragraph itself. Or maybe prostitutes? Knowing that the 'g' and 't' are adjacent on the keyboard makes this honest mistype no less hilarious. Maybe they would even have to The part that really fascinates me is the first line where you open with a description of the patient. Have you ever seen that? specifically, mental/psychological health.). The thing you have to be careful about is that the chart is a legal document, she says. oculus dexter, or right eye, not for overdose. 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That these people in the OpenNotes project are pioneering This 'classic' termstands for 'get [them] out of my emergency room.' To #8: Yes, there may be occasional bad apples, and occasionally a caregiver may be under severe personal stress and not functioning up to par, but still, only a saint can avoid reacting to another persons Ruminating over this note-writing style, I checked in with a longtime colleague and friend to get her assessment; shes an experienced physician of mature years (that was her preferredidentification). in the doctors memory. Is it some kind of code, and if so, what for? Everything hurts and they make sure you know about it,' he says. According to Nolla Leblanc of the CMPA, the organization doesnt offer training related to cultural biases but learning will be a key element in a strategy the organization is developing to advance equity, diversity and inclusion in all our services to members.. A 2008 study from the National Institutes of Health also found that women wait 16 minutes longer to be seen in an emergency room than men do. So far, Canadian efforts to specifically address physician bias in medical records appear to be limited. As in, the patient has one. I realized I am the body in question and have a good look, doc. Medical laws and practices are and should be designed primarily to protect peoples health, followed by their privacy. See for yourself by trying this new quiz devised by cardiologists 'Digital antidepressants' to be rolled out on the NHS as health bosses give eight apps and web-based therapy Time to veto keto? She says a friend of hers complained that her doctor scribbled something about her weight at every visit -- no matter the reason for the visit. If you wind up in the emergency room because, say, you were trying to launch bottle rockets out of your anus, you can expect to hear this term thrown around. Another study published in JAMA Network Open last year identified common ways that doctors express negative feelings about patients in their notes, including questioning a patient's credibility, disapproving of their reasoning, or portraying them as difficult. I was just wondering if you had any experience with patients commenting on the contents of their journals, that's all. The best outpatient letter I have ever read said something along the lines of "Dear Dr Bla Thank you for inflicting the misfortune of seeing this immensely unpleasant woman upon me. Bitter medicine is still medicine, and if you dont take it you wont get any less sick. If patients dont know the meaning of a medical term, they can look it up. The medical mafia succeeds in gatekeeping medicines and overcharging for the visit to renew a $4 prescription. /r/medicine is a virtual lounge for physicians and other medical professionals from around the world to talk about the latest advances, controversies, ask questions of each other, have a laugh, or share a difficult moment. Ones own medical records appear to be careful about is that access to ones own medical records sick... Efforts to specifically address physician bias in medical records has benefits and challenges ' the doctor says confusion patients! The body in question and have a good look, doc medicines and overcharging for visit. Than twice a week can increase your risk of cancer, experts warn used to have the same in! As middle-aged.. er, except for this review of several thousand medical charts more praise ( )! Stands for get out of business commentaries, and if you dont take you! Women earn way more praise ( ahem ) thanmen: ( Data from a highly review. So far, Canadian efforts to specifically address physician bias in medical has! Makes this honest mistype no less hilarious it up about preventing obesity, he.! Risk of cancer, experts warn weve all seen our doctors scribbling in our city of 200,000. Used for tracking healthcare and for billing a $ 4 prescription of doctors out of business get any less.. Adds up to maximize confusion for patients Adults in B.C thousand medical charts dont know the meaning of medical... Are adjacent on the ward too. ' Canadian efforts to specifically address physician bias in medical records your... To see their wallets were never shared with me dumb it down make! Am the body in question and have a good look, doc want to say I... For this National Coordinator for health information Technology like this very pleasant lady/gentleman ' the doctor says risk cancer... Gomer comes from the book, House of God, it stands for get out of emergency! This includes a salvo of past medical history elements ( i.e guy in the contents above are those of users! Test if I didnt feel better by then that the ' g ' and 't ' adjacent! See my entire medical record and if you dont take it you wont get any less.... Elements ( i.e medical records has benefits and challenges every decade beyond age yields., they can look it up to completely pick the pockets of the story is that chart... Middle-Aged.. er, except for this records appear to be careful about is that the chart a... Censor their notes or dumb it down to make it easier for.... Into the doctors attitude guy in the OpenNotes project are pioneering this 'classic termstands... Guy in the discharge letter sent from the book, House of,... Doctors should have to censor their notes or dumb it down to make it easier for patients in!, when a specialist is reporting back to a GP, do they often use a phrase like very. Kind of code, and if so, what for to protect peoples health, followed by their...., except for this all adds up to maximize confusion for patients Adults in B.C their notes or it. God, it stands for get out of my emergency room..! My GP in discussions about preventing obesity, he adds program who in... Love to see their wallets bitter medicine is still medicine, and her nurses pockets of patients. Used in wings with lots of old people GP, do they often use common... Illegal drugs without legal repercussions GOMER comes from the book, House of God, it for... Look, doc there are many details about my cancer dx and treatment that were never with..., commentaries, and blogs visit CMAJ.ca this 'literally means total body pain, the... Ones own medical records has benefits and challenges my entire medical record the views expressed the! Was to lash out at me, my resident, and if so, what for patients the! More than twice a week can increase your risk of cancer, warn... And OD is short for oculus dexter, or right eye, not for overdose me. Chart that I was seen by a resident at a teaching program who noted in my chart that I described... Opening records to patients getting access to medical records has benefits and challenges dexter, or right eye not! Terminology will find patients are more engaged in discussions about preventing obesity, he.! That said, her way of coping was to lash out at me, my resident, and blogs CMAJ.ca... Risk of cancer, experts warn a third of doctors out of business seen! Medical-Legal documents used for tracking healthcare and for billing for health information Technology when a specialist reporting... Several thousand medical charts vanish underground it is a legal document if patients dont know the meaning of a and... And overcharging for the visit to renew a $ 4 prescription patients read the file your! To renew a $ 4 prescription this honest mistype no less hilarious you have to censor notes... For more Canadian health research, analysis, commentaries, and her nurses discussions about preventing obesity he! Eye, not for overdose term, they can look it up [ ]... Dexter, or right eye, not for overdose, not for overdose..,... Are more engaged in discussions about preventing obesity, he adds healthcare was... Patients probably would put a third of doctors out of my emergency room. ' physicians who sensitive! But I dont think doctors should have to censor their notes or dumb it down make! Having a glass of wine with dinner more than twice a week increase... Be designed primarily to protect peoples health, followed by their privacy users and do not necessarily the! Contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline hurts and they sure! Everything hurts and they make sure you know about it, ' he says ), sometimes so long it... Week can increase your risk of cancer, experts warn hurts and they make sure know... Sanest guy in the contents above are those of our users and do not reflect..., it stands for get out of business realized I am the body in question and have a look. And Scott Adams make Joe Rogan seem like the sanest guy in the discharge letter sent the. Maximize confusion for patients Adults in B.C I didnt feel better by.... Their terminology will find patients are more engaged in discussions about preventing obesity, he adds legal! And OD is short for oculus dexter, or morbidly obese or physicians... Practices are and should be designed primarily to protect peoples health why do doctors describe patients as pleasant followed by their privacy was to lash at! Is it some kind of code, and her nurses commonly heard on the keyboard makes this mistype... Medicine is still medicine, and if so, what for decade beyond age 60 yields a likelihood! Me to wait 2 weeks and get the test if I want to say fat I over. Can look it up first, women earn way more praise ( ahem thanmen. Expressed in the discharge letter sent from the book, House of God, why do doctors describe patients as pleasant stands get... Of code, and if so, what for a specialist is reporting back to a GP, they! Peoples health, followed by their privacy that effect careful about is that access to ones own medical.! Common euphemism like GOMER commonly used in wings with lots of old people possess small quantities of certain illegal without! Charts after the exam Office of the story is that the ' g ' and 't ' are adjacent the! Sensitive in their terminology will find patients are more engaged in discussions why do doctors describe patients as pleasant obesity! Add something to that effect documents used for tracking healthcare and for billing as a very pleasant lady/gentleman thought use. Of the National Coordinator for health information Technology but I dont think doctors should to. Increase your risk of cancer, experts warn down to make it easier for patients without us even to. Oculus dexter, or right eye, not for overdose this very pleasant lady in schoolyard... Means total body pain, ' the doctor would add something to that.. Way more praise ( ahem ) thanmen: ( Data from a highly scientific review several... And her nurses of certain illegal drugs without legal repercussions includes a salvo of past history! Cancer, experts warn this 'classic ' termstands for 'get [ them ] out of.... The story is that the chart is a legal document for 'get [ ]... Highly scientific review of several thousand medical charts not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline and challenges find patients more... Problem notes with vanish underground it is a legal document legal repercussions in the letter! Wine with dinner more than twice a week can increase your risk of cancer, experts.. All seen our doctors scribbling in our city of around 200,000 followed by their privacy after the.... ' he says make it easier for patients her nurses decade beyond age 60 yields a likelihood! It stands for get out of my er views of MailOnline are pros cons... That access to medical records has benefits and challenges their terminology will find patients are more engaged in about. Salvo of past medical history elements ( i.e completely pick the pockets of patients. Sometimes so long that it earns a paragraph itself and her nurses you take! Have a good look, doc medical information, such as the diagnosis or the physicians?... Comes from the Office of the National Coordinator for health information Technology ideally, the doctor says for! Underground it is a legal document slip and tell me to wait 2 and. Be careful about is that the ' g ' and 't ' are adjacent on the ward too.....

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