The Long Discussion

Dr. Dev (Fictional Name) was taking the clinical ward round. A patient with some interesting clinical finding was admitted in the ward.

When Dr. Dev reached the bedside of the patient the discussion turned to the various condition or diseases which can give a clinical picture similar to those present in the patient. As the discussion progressed, a look of anxiety developed on the patient’s face. When the discussion reached the point that the patient’s problem can be due to malignancy (cancer) the patient looked absolutely crestfallen.

When Dr. Dev noticed the look on the patient’s face, he understood that being a highly educated person the patient was able to follow the clinical discussion taking place in English and could understand to some extent the nature of diseases being discussed and considered in his case.

Swiftly, Dr. Dev assured the patient that the discussion was purely academic and for teaching and learning purposes of the residents. His disease is quite simple in nature and will be easily cured. There is no evidence of cancer at present in his case. Listening to Dr. Dev’s explanation the patient relaxed and breathed a sigh of relief.

As many patients in India are not able to understand English, doctors think by discussing the patient’s problems in English the patient can be kept in a state of ignorant bliss. But the number of patients who understands English is increasing in India so that the sacrosanct status of English as medical code language is no longer valid. Doctors indulge in long discussions especially in academic institutions like AIIMS, New Delhi, without paying attention to its effect on the patient.

Even if the patient is not able to understand the actual language, a long period of discussion of his problem raises the doubt in the patient’s mind about the seriousness of his condition. Therefore it is better to clarify and assure the patient about the academic nature of any discussion involving his condition to avoid causing unnecessary anxiety to him.

Even non-medico technical persons are sometimes guilty of such behavior. You must have experienced a similar feeling when you went to the garage/workshop with your car for some minor problem (according to you) and the mechanics there raised the possibility of millions of things which could be causing the problem including complete disassembly of your vehicle to find the cause of the problem.

So, whether doctor or non-doctor, when discussing someone’s problem please keep in mind the effect on the mental status of the person whose problems you are discussing. Take prompt step to allay any anxiety if detected by you.

If you are the patient or the client do not get overly anxious over a long discussion of your problem and ask directly and get clarified any doubt you may have after such an academic discussion.

 (Based on true incident)

— ND
© Author. All rights reserved. 
If viewing from Mobile, switch to Webpage view to see a list of popular posts and index of topics of previous posts.
 DISCLAIMER: This article is intended only for fun purpose. The author does not promote or recommend any behavior illustrated here or claim it to be useful. Use of the information herein is at you one's own risk. Before trying to emulate or follow anything the reader is well advised to take into account ethical, moral, legal and other considerations. The author recommends that Medical Practice should be of the highest ethical and moral level keeping in mind the interest of the patient as foremost. 

DISCLAIMER: This article is intended only for fun purpose. The author does not promote or recommend any behavior illustrated here or claim it to be useful. Use of the information herein is at you one's own risk. Before trying to emulate or follow anything the reader is well advised to take into account ethical, moral, legal and other considerations. The author recommends that Medical Education should be of the highest ethical and moral level keeping in mind the interest of the patient as foremost and according to MCI and other Board’s norm. 

You can share this post on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google +, etc, using the Buttons above 'Labels' and below 'Posted by:'.
Please give your valuable feedback via comments below. Please note that comments will appear after moderation.

You can receive notification on latest post by subscribing via clicking on the bottom of the page on the Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)