I have recently been to the doctor for some new ailments. Neither doctor clinically examined me beyond a cursory listening to my heart and lungs and sending me off for labs or to sign up to a test (which takes nearly 2 months to find an opening). I've struggled since July with symptoms. I am beyond frustrated. Please, please continue to teach doctors to consider the patient in front of them as a person rather than a series of lab results or tests.
I would love for you to write an article on how to find a good GP....
I'm not a doctor, but I have worked in hospital settings (pathology laboratory), so I have worked with many doctors and they certainly are not equal in their care for the patient or their love for the job.
Do you think that the short time doctors spend with patients these days affects their ability to see past why the patient ‘says’ they are there? Or is it easier to just give them what they think/know they need and move onto the next one?
What a wonderful article to encourage providers to take compassionate, objective and thorough histories.on exams. Even if the results are difficult to receive, we need to keep up with the standard of care that gives the truthful, entitled answers that patients are expecting /need to receive. Thank you for sharing this personal case.
Excellent article. Pain is such a mysterious symptom that is difficult for a patient to describe. Is it sharp, dull, throbbing, constant, etc.?? I am not sure if I accurately describe pain to my doctors. I have systematic sarcoidosis with chronic daily pain and fatigue. I'm unsure if I accurately expressing my pain but I think my medical team understands. Most importantly they do what they can to treat my pain.
Well written and also a piece of history. It has inspired me to make a list of "great deceiver" or "everything" diseases. I gather every medical generation has one - syphilis, AIDS, and now, it would appear, mRNA vaccine reactions
Yes. A few years ago I was called to the ER to admit a young man with"pneumonia".He did not look very sick but his CXR showed some patchy infiltrates. Shortly he was joined by his. "friend" who. was very nice. On the basis of this. observation I made the diagnosis of TB in the setting of HIV AIDS which was the case. After testing confirmed my impression, I informed the patient of the results and he responded. angrily that "You have a terrible bed side manner"
His response confirmed the old adage that "no good deed goes unpunished." or as Teddy Roosevelt said "tread lightly but always be prepared to duck"
Things have changed since 1991. Nowadays if you examined the throat of someone. with severe back pain you would be an outlier, wasting time you could better use by inquiring. about the patient's social conditions of ill health and then entering that data into your computer.
Bladder accidents, gait problems, and confusion presented itself. Hoping for a UTI. Nope. Episode of severe confusion led to ED visit and CT scan. The glioblastoma was as plain as the nose on your face. Our family’s reality right now. Excellent article
Thank you for sharing this story. We have come a long way with testing and treatments.
As a former RN, I did enjoy the individual patient focus. That is why after 5 years I left that miserable dramatic (for me anyway) hospital floor setting, and went to a private orthopaedic surgery practice. I loved my job. It was a perfect fit for me.
I enjoyed listening to the patients, most of them are eager to share, and learn.
As always, people that are not interested or knowledgeable about medical exams carry small burdens or early signs of something. Even though I was ortho surg, it was an opportunity to get to know patients and their history. It makes a good picture of what will work for them, the focus for recovery
Sad to see "former". Hopefully because it was time to retire. Too many are leaving because of ill treatment. Perhaps that factor might be a worthwhile subject for our writers.
Clinical exams are critical to accurate diagnosis, not just history, labs or other testing. An astute exam made this difference for this young man. Thank you for sharing.
I have recently been to the doctor for some new ailments. Neither doctor clinically examined me beyond a cursory listening to my heart and lungs and sending me off for labs or to sign up to a test (which takes nearly 2 months to find an opening). I've struggled since July with symptoms. I am beyond frustrated. Please, please continue to teach doctors to consider the patient in front of them as a person rather than a series of lab results or tests.
I would love for you to write an article on how to find a good GP....
I'm not a doctor, but I have worked in hospital settings (pathology laboratory), so I have worked with many doctors and they certainly are not equal in their care for the patient or their love for the job.
Great piece. Compassionate medicine may be the most sensible of all.
Do you think that the short time doctors spend with patients these days affects their ability to see past why the patient ‘says’ they are there? Or is it easier to just give them what they think/know they need and move onto the next one?
Sensible medicine such a needed topic! Keep these great articles coming. It’s educational for both docs and patients.
thank you for sharing. What a moving account of the doctor/patient relationship. I am enjoying Sensible Medcine :)
Love this post.
Thanks!
What a wonderful article to encourage providers to take compassionate, objective and thorough histories.on exams. Even if the results are difficult to receive, we need to keep up with the standard of care that gives the truthful, entitled answers that patients are expecting /need to receive. Thank you for sharing this personal case.
Love this. Thank you for sharing and reminding us to always be diligent.
Excellent article. Pain is such a mysterious symptom that is difficult for a patient to describe. Is it sharp, dull, throbbing, constant, etc.?? I am not sure if I accurately describe pain to my doctors. I have systematic sarcoidosis with chronic daily pain and fatigue. I'm unsure if I accurately expressing my pain but I think my medical team understands. Most importantly they do what they can to treat my pain.
Well written and also a piece of history. It has inspired me to make a list of "great deceiver" or "everything" diseases. I gather every medical generation has one - syphilis, AIDS, and now, it would appear, mRNA vaccine reactions
Yes. A few years ago I was called to the ER to admit a young man with"pneumonia".He did not look very sick but his CXR showed some patchy infiltrates. Shortly he was joined by his. "friend" who. was very nice. On the basis of this. observation I made the diagnosis of TB in the setting of HIV AIDS which was the case. After testing confirmed my impression, I informed the patient of the results and he responded. angrily that "You have a terrible bed side manner"
His response confirmed the old adage that "no good deed goes unpunished." or as Teddy Roosevelt said "tread lightly but always be prepared to duck"
Not sure if the psychiatrists ever weighed in on "instant countertransference" for clinicians...
I've got one about countertransference coming in a couple of week! Stay tuned.
Yes. Your comment confirms the old adage mentioned above.
I admit, this made me cry.
Me too.
Things have changed since 1991. Nowadays if you examined the throat of someone. with severe back pain you would be an outlier, wasting time you could better use by inquiring. about the patient's social conditions of ill health and then entering that data into your computer.
Bladder accidents, gait problems, and confusion presented itself. Hoping for a UTI. Nope. Episode of severe confusion led to ED visit and CT scan. The glioblastoma was as plain as the nose on your face. Our family’s reality right now. Excellent article
Wow. So sorry you are going through this.
Virtual hugs. So sorry.
I'm so sorry. Best of luck.
Thank you for sharing this story. We have come a long way with testing and treatments.
As a former RN, I did enjoy the individual patient focus. That is why after 5 years I left that miserable dramatic (for me anyway) hospital floor setting, and went to a private orthopaedic surgery practice. I loved my job. It was a perfect fit for me.
I enjoyed listening to the patients, most of them are eager to share, and learn.
As always, people that are not interested or knowledgeable about medical exams carry small burdens or early signs of something. Even though I was ortho surg, it was an opportunity to get to know patients and their history. It makes a good picture of what will work for them, the focus for recovery
Sad to see "former". Hopefully because it was time to retire. Too many are leaving because of ill treatment. Perhaps that factor might be a worthwhile subject for our writers.
Clinical exams are critical to accurate diagnosis, not just history, labs or other testing. An astute exam made this difference for this young man. Thank you for sharing.