Don't get me wrong, it's not necessarily a bad thing when a patient types out their medical history. Sometimes it can be incredibly helpful and saves me a lot of time and effort.
But at the same time, you just get a sinking feeling when a patient hands you a detailed five-page long medical history typed in 8-point font and the first line says:
April 20, 1936: Agnes Smith was born.
That's when you walk out of the room and send the med student/nurse/medical assistant/anyone else in.
ReplyDeleteHoo boy. First time visiting here (and I've read the entire first page in one sitting, wondering where the advertised cartoons are) and I already feel depressed reading that last line -.-
ReplyDeleteWe've all been there I guess. My usual deflect is "Oh that's really nice of you to type it all up - but I'd like you to tell me what's wrong in your own words, so I know a little about you". Hey, that's what we were taught in med school, not because I'm lazy (well I am lazy, but that's beside the point. Cough.)
I'll be back.
This is so funny! I was JUST stalking your blog today after stalking Fizzy's! I'm also a UK medic :-)
DeleteI am Cartoon and this is my guide to medicine. If you thought there would be actual cartoons here, you were misled.
Delete:P
(That or I had a baby and I don't have time to draw anymore.)
The blog is good, but I do hope you go back to the cartoons when you are able. Maybe around retirement?
DeleteIn Agnes' defense, you DID tell her to start at the beginning, didn't you?
ReplyDeleteI think you misunderstood what I'm upset about. I was angry that she left out the details of her conception and her medical history as a fetus. Starting with being born is 9 months too late!
DeleteGood, proper Calgary-Cambridge Guide technique, after all!
Delete