Topic: "Difficult Patient" - How Doctors Think - "Code" terms
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- "DIFFICULT PATIENT" -
Many here have asked: "What does that term mean?
And why is that written in bold letters inside my medical chart cover?
It's at the very top, with a box drawn around it so that's the first thing any new doctor will see about me."
& HOW DOCTORS THINK
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This links set was compiled to help someone who was frustrated with failed doctors appointments. I call those "blind" appointments in that no research has been done on the doctor regarding their knowledge or stance regarding lyme and tick borne infections.
Why would not just any neurologist or rheumatologist believe and help them - since they had serious trouble walking and had so much pain ?
Why did every doctor tell them they were "just depressed" or needed to "get a life, start a new hobby"?
Picking up mid-conversation, so to speak:
Another way "blind" appointments can hurt is the likelihood of being labeled a "difficult patient" as it is a killer label for your medical file.
It is often written in large letters, just inside the file cover, for all who come after that doctor to see in advance of talking with that patient in the future.
This is the term for many with chronic illness, especially for those who even whisper about lyme.
They would not think "difficult CASE" but it's the label they use for patients they want to toss in the trash can. If that is ever in your file, it could prevent you from getting the care you need in an emergency.
There are seminars about this topic, really. You need to know how doctors think.
And, to be fair, we have to know what THAT doctor does before we go in and say what we want them to do for us. If they are not educated and do not treat "whatever" then it wastes our time and theirs.
You wouldn't take a Volvo to a Subaru dealer. It's up to us to research the doctors who will fit our health requirements.
Book below is not about lyme. Still, it is excellent for everyone to get to know his work. He's trying to help with understanding & communication between patients and doctors.
The comments here are helpful, too, as they suggest some doctors who have or who have been bullied in med school continue that with patients. Some may be unaware of the nuances.
But, in reality, many doctors are still being bullied today by groups such as the IDSA. That is evident in the next post with the details about why only certain doctors know enough to assess and treat tick borne infections.
(What ILADS is) . . . WHY you need an ILADS-educated, Lyme Literate Doctor - starting with assessment / evaluation. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
I think, as someone in the "replies" stated, this "doctor" is just a guy from Quackwatch. I think he's a fake, but I loved reading the replies!!
Again, really (really !) I post these not to depress or discourage but to help others avoid the assumptions & errors made by myself and others along the way.
This is not about fear or anger (though it is important to recognize those powerful emotions, give them their understandable due and then move forward, away from negativity - for our own good).
I'm all for education and that's my intent here - just to help us know how to avoid the rough and tumble routes as we seek & find the best doctors who can help us get better.
LOCAL & STATE LYME SUPPORT GROUPS are very valuable as we gather our person research and prepare for health care decisions. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- For anyone new to lyme & tick borne infections, links above are the warning signs.
To help you find your way, here are some top lyme education & advocacy organizations.
Each has some differences or focus, but they are all fully "lyme literate" and ILADS "minded" -- bringing them all together.
- Not an exclusive or formal list. Just the top organizations that came to mind. Remember STATE and LOCAL lyme support groups, too. -
[ 09-16-2012, 04:48 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- "CODE" TERMS that can be in a chart but the patient will never see.
This sad, very long list is not intended to promote negative reactions. In spite of the treatment received by most with lyme, there are still many very good & respectful doctors (who may just not have had the chance to learn the truth about tick-borne illness).
However, those with chronic illnesses frequently are labeled and dismissed - and may not even be aware just why doctor after doctor is dismissive from the get-go. Just be aware of what some of those labels, some "codes" can mean:
DOCTORS' SLANG, MEDICAL SLANG AND MEDICAL ACRONYMS
These have been mostly collected from the UK and USA, with a few non-English contributions (many thanks to all contributors from around the globe).
Some of the acronyms are region-specific and have differing meanings in US and UK. It is noticeable that the US has numerous acronyms and slang terms relating to gun-related incidents and injuries.
The slang/acronyms are directed variously at patients, other medical staff or mystifying medical conditions.
List at the link above. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
Code phrase: undetermined amount of functional overlay. Means the doctor thinks we're making up symptoms to get something out of doing that. My foot. I'd rather be well.
Posts: 13116 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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lax mom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38743
posted
You're "interesting".
I hate, hate, hate that. I have heard it myself and my husband has been told that.
Also, it's weird and just plain mean how the medical records that the patient receives and other Drs receive differ. I found this out by accident.
posted
When we gave our current doctor the list of meds, surgeries, and medical info on Silver, his eyebrows went to the top of his hairline. I could almost read his thoughts "I'm going to get a book out of this!"
What doctors are doing to us as patients, is unprofessional at best, disheartening at the least and makes you angry enough to verbally lash out. "Where did you get your medical degree, the K-Mart medical aisle?!?!?!?"
-------------------- I have a good time wherever I go! Posts: 665 | From Lost Wages, NV | Registered: May 2006
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Catgirl
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 31149
posted
Like the Seinfeld episode with Elaine (difficult). Screw them. We can't control what they put. But we can go to someone else who treats us better, and we can tell them that on the way out the door.
I told my last pcp that I moved onto someone who actually supported my decision to treat chronic lyme. She had her assistant call me several times. Eventually she caught me and asked me who I was going to. I told her I wasn't going to tell her, have a nice life, yada, yada, yada.
-------------------- --Keep an open mind about everything. Also, remember to visit ACTIVISM (we can change things together). Posts: 5418 | From earth | Registered: Mar 2011
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- The statistics here are staggering, absolutely staggering.
Doctors are really hurting in many respects. And it's important that we know this in order to better communicate. Still, best to steer clear of those who are not adequately trained and capable for our needs. That just adds stress for all and will serve no one.
It's free to "join" and from there after, also free to log in here at Medscape.
Medscape National Physician Burnout & Depression Report 2018
January 17, 2018
Start here with chart on page 9. Then go back to page one, on through page 27. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
well you better never ever say a bad word about drs, nurses, drugs, hospitals, or anything medically related to anybody who has any association with the medical field.
I don't care if it's a janitor!!! better off keeping quiet...
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Whether for lyme or just in general, for those considering an entirely different system of medical care . . .. complementary support methods / or other avenues:
Herbal Safety considerations & reference books; etc.
BOOKS - Links to many articles and books by holistic-minded LL doctors of various degrees who all have this basic approach in common:
knowing which methods offer assertive & direct impact, which are only support and which are both. And when to use what, how to combine, & when to step back.
You can compare and contrast many approaches with links to articles, books, methods . . .
Doing Harm - How our Medical System Harms So Many Women
Book - published March 2018
NPR Fresh Air audio interview / article links
"Contested" [by many doctors] conditions such as chronic lyme, chemical sensitivities, "fibromyalgia" also included in the author's interview and book. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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