Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Aristus

(66,096 posts)
Tue Jun 18, 2019, 05:27 PM Jun 2019

Clinical pet peeve: if I ask you "How long has this been going on?", don't say "A minute".

Unless it has been going on for sixty seconds. All right?

I know "about a minute" is a current idiom for " a while now, a bit". But when I'm trying to fix your medical problem, please be a little more specific.

Argh!

13 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Clinical pet peeve: if I ask you "How long has this been going on?", don't say "A minute". (Original Post) Aristus Jun 2019 OP
Q: "what brings you in today?" A: "I'm feeling a little bit 'puny'" hlthe2b Jun 2019 #1
I've heard it all. Aristus Jun 2019 #3
and there a reason for "GOMER!" on the top of some charts...LOL hlthe2b Jun 2019 #4
Hell to the yeah. Aristus Jun 2019 #5
Hoo boy Ohiogal Jun 2019 #7
"You're right, I don't understand." Click... Wounded Bear Jun 2019 #11
OH! Phentex Jun 2019 #2
I once had an 8-year old, brought in by his mother for ear pain. IggleDuer Jun 2019 #6
Teenage patients are often very poor historians. 3catwoman3 Jun 2019 #8
I was lucky enough to get wise to that early in my career. Aristus Jun 2019 #10
If you asked me that question, I'd say True Dough Jun 2019 #9
You must have endless patience. smirkymonkey Jun 2019 #12
Yeah, just a little. Aristus Jun 2019 #13

Aristus

(66,096 posts)
3. I've heard it all.
Tue Jun 18, 2019, 05:37 PM
Jun 2019

And once, I heard it all from just one patient.

"What brings you in today?"

"I'm feeling kinda blah."

"How does blah feel?"

"I dunno; just kinda phht!"

"Well, does something hurt?"

"No, I just feel kinda meh."




This was seven or eight years ago, so I don't really remember if I was ever able to get a good history from this patient...

Ohiogal

(31,669 posts)
7. Hoo boy
Tue Jun 18, 2019, 06:46 PM
Jun 2019

You just made me remember how it was talking to my mother .....

"I don't feel good."

"What's the matter, Mom?"

"I just don't feel good."

"Is something hurting you?"

"I don't feel good all over."

"Is your stomach upset?"

"No."

"Headache? Dizzy? Chest pain?"

"No .... I just feel lousy."

"Lousy, how, Mom?"

"You just don't understand."

Phentex

(16,330 posts)
2. OH!
Tue Jun 18, 2019, 05:35 PM
Jun 2019

That's one of my peeves too! People are sheep.

At least the terms kudos and wheelhouse have died out a little.

IggleDuer

(964 posts)
6. I once had an 8-year old, brought in by his mother for ear pain.
Tue Jun 18, 2019, 06:03 PM
Jun 2019

Me:- “How long has his ear been hurting him?”

Mom;- “Since birth!”

3catwoman3

(23,820 posts)
8. Teenage patients are often very poor historians.
Tue Jun 18, 2019, 08:40 PM
Jun 2019

Every question asked gets an eye roll, a shrug, and an utterance that sounds rather like "Ah-oh-oh," and means, "I dunno."

Way too late in my career, I re-programmed my end-of-visit strategy. I used to ask a general, "Any questions?" and often get the dreaded, "By the way, as long as we're here..." Pandora's Box add on for a 3 yr history of something totally unrelated to the ear ache for which the appointment was made.

Now, I very specifically say, "Any questions about today's discussion?"

Aristus

(66,096 posts)
10. I was lucky enough to get wise to that early in my career.
Tue Jun 18, 2019, 11:44 PM
Jun 2019

Now I say: "Any questions about what we just talked about?" - Just like you.

If they say no, I shake their hand, offer a farewell salutation and get myself out of that exam room before they can dream up another thing for me to look at.

Sometimes, they're able to squeeze in a "No, but I do have this thing I'd like you to look at..."

And that sends the game into extra innings...

 

smirkymonkey

(63,221 posts)
12. You must have endless patience.
Wed Jun 19, 2019, 09:16 PM
Jun 2019

I would go insane if I had to put up with what you do. I would probably start bringing a taser to work and using it on uncooperative patients. I suppose that would kind of go against the Hippocratic Oath, wouldn't it?

Latest Discussions»The DU Lounge»Clinical pet peeve: if I ...