A great article and great advice, thank you. Take notes! I have one minor ‘maybe’, I’ve met a few medics who get touchy when you use their jargon. I’ve literally been asked - sharply - “how do you know that term?” and when I said “I’m a bit of a swot, I do my homework” I got a mini lecture on the dangers of consulting Dr Google. You are 100% correct about that kind of impatience showing this is not the long term health partner for me. I have found it helpful to be humble and say “I’m here to consult your professional expertise, and I have an enquiring mind wanted to have some idea of the ground...” or “my Mum’s a nurse and I work in funeral admin so I am comfortable with medical terms” or even “this is not my first rodeo”. I’m not sure why its seen as encroaching to know “haematoma” rather than “bruise” (for a big, medically significant bruise at that) or “ascites” rather than “swelling” but it sometimes has been.
Michelle, I'm sorry for my delay in replying. This is such a good cautionary point, and I'm grateful you shared. I am so sorry to hear that you've gotten such an unkind response from knowing medical terms. How infuriating, how unhelpful. I agree, there are doctors who don't appreciate patients "encroaching," as you say, on their realm of knowledge. I wish it wasn't so, but it's true, and it would have been helpful to include a warning. I'll add a little note now to the post. Thank you!
We can’t cover every point in every essay. I did not want my comment to be critique of your work, its an “and also”. We have so many varied experiences of seeking medical care, in so many different places. Better together 🙏🏻
I so agree: Better together. :) I didn't take it as a critique, truly as a helpful note. I appreciate your insights and am grateful to hear them anytime!
A great article and great advice, thank you. Take notes! I have one minor ‘maybe’, I’ve met a few medics who get touchy when you use their jargon. I’ve literally been asked - sharply - “how do you know that term?” and when I said “I’m a bit of a swot, I do my homework” I got a mini lecture on the dangers of consulting Dr Google. You are 100% correct about that kind of impatience showing this is not the long term health partner for me. I have found it helpful to be humble and say “I’m here to consult your professional expertise, and I have an enquiring mind wanted to have some idea of the ground...” or “my Mum’s a nurse and I work in funeral admin so I am comfortable with medical terms” or even “this is not my first rodeo”. I’m not sure why its seen as encroaching to know “haematoma” rather than “bruise” (for a big, medically significant bruise at that) or “ascites” rather than “swelling” but it sometimes has been.
Michelle, I'm sorry for my delay in replying. This is such a good cautionary point, and I'm grateful you shared. I am so sorry to hear that you've gotten such an unkind response from knowing medical terms. How infuriating, how unhelpful. I agree, there are doctors who don't appreciate patients "encroaching," as you say, on their realm of knowledge. I wish it wasn't so, but it's true, and it would have been helpful to include a warning. I'll add a little note now to the post. Thank you!
We can’t cover every point in every essay. I did not want my comment to be critique of your work, its an “and also”. We have so many varied experiences of seeking medical care, in so many different places. Better together 🙏🏻
I so agree: Better together. :) I didn't take it as a critique, truly as a helpful note. I appreciate your insights and am grateful to hear them anytime!
Messages are a blunt instrument, so I like to check. Better to be awkward up front 🤓