#patient interactions

[enteringvulturedimension]

My patients: I want to try to control my blood pressure and diabetes naturally

Me: *talks about eating a healthy diet and getting exercise*

My patients: But I already only eat about one meal a day

Me:

[helpmeimamedic]

Medical Work Experience

Read our April blog post ‘The doctor-patient relationship: UK vs. China’ written by Charlotte Leigh a first year medical student in full here

The doctor-patient relationship is one of those things that nobody has a concrete definition for but everyone seems to understand. With the varying attitudes and systems of healthcare across the world, it is near-impossible to set a universal description that accounts for all of these differences. 

I remember when shadowing a gastroenterologist here in the UK, I witnessed so many deeply personal moments that I felt like an intruder.  I was amazed at the unguarded honesty that the consultant effortlessly coaxed out of every patient I saw, and attributed this to the immense sense of privacy I got from the nature of these consultations.

It was interesting to see that the atmosphere was completely different when I shadowed a gynaecologist in China; the consultation room was packed with patients. I was surprised that the patients were still willing to answer the doctor’s deeply personal questions in front of a crowd.

From my observations in hospitals of vastly different cultures, I believe that although there are major differences in the way these healthcare systems are run, the core traits of the doctor-patient relationship remain the same.

[amputeeot]

You can't write with electric razors.

I'm a home health occupational therapist - I deliver occupational therapy in a person's home.

The other day I had just finished up a session with one of my patients, an older gentleman with dementia living in an independent living center with his wife.

As I was getting ready to leave, he said, "I want to take down your information so I have it for later". I said that was fine, and he left the room while I finished my documentation.

He came back and sat down in his chair holding a sandal in one hand and an electric razor in the other. He looked at them. I looked at him, and at his items, and back to him.

"So! What are you planning on doing with those things you've got there?"

"I want to take down your information."

"Oh okay! Well. I hate to say it but I don't think either of those things make good writing utensils. How about a pen?"

My patient thought that was a good idea, so I retrieved a pen.

"Okay now," I said, "where would you like me to write down my information?"

"Well...on this shoe," he replied. 

The funny thing is, I had purchased a notebook for him for the express purpose of being able to take notes so he would remember things. So, I suggested I find his notebook and then wrote my information down in there and handed it to him so he could read what I had written.

It's important when you interact with people with dementia that you treat them with respect and dignity, even when they say or do things that seem strange to you.