So I get my shot and I ask the doctor about any side
effects. She tells me it may swell and
get red but ice and Motrin will help. It
is a bit uncomfortable so I begin sucking on ice cubes and tape a Motrin pill
to the area that has swelled. Just
kidding!!!!!
But it’s really not a joke.
Many, many patients don’t get the doctor’s information correctly. The way this was explained to me may have
been confusing to someone who doesn’t know what to do with their directions, can’t
read well or speak another language. In
all of our lives we often assume people know what we know. That comes from using words that aren’t used
by everyone or not encouraging someone to reflect back instructions or
information.
As a patients advocate we need to be sure we are hearing
exactly what the doctor or nurse is telling the patient to do. Think of ways the information can be jumbled
and assume the patient isn’t hearing it because it can get jumbled or they are
distracted.
If I were with an advocate when my doctor gave me
instructions to just use ice and Motrin for pain, what are some of the things
you could have said to help?
Doctor, can you explain exactly how much ice and how much
Motrin? Can you explain further what to
do with the ice and Motrin?
Or
Doctor, how long should we use ice and Motrin or is there
another medication we can use?
Ask the patient to explain what she will do. “Ilene, what will you do with the ice and
Motrin?” The response should be in front of the doctor so when I say I will
suck on the ice, the doctor knows additional explanation is needed.
Thanks for reading!
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