More importantly, I was there to advocate for a new med for relief. She said “He told me before there was nothing else, but today with you here he says there are 10 or more we can try.” 😡 Ppl shouldn’t need to have doctor friends go with them to get what they need!
5
30
426
Replies
I went to a doctor’s appt with a friend as an accompagnateur/ally/witness and ... WOW 😱 I apologize that we doctors treat you all patients with such disregard. A little thread 1/x:
47
198
812
I haven’t seen other doctors’ “bedside manner” in a while, and I used to think it was a “soft” skill taught in medical school, but it’s actually the critical foundation of respect and communication, that if absent, could have serious consequences. 2/
5
22
366
My friend said: “He’s never made eye contact with me in >5 years.” She also said “He’s never told me to ‘take care’ or ‘be well’... ever.” Doctor staring into computer typing. Asked her questions with no response because she couldn’t hear him and he made no eye contact. 3/
4
10
232
There are so many coded spoken and unspoken ways that lead to trust & communication breakdown ➡️ substandard care. Pts feel locked in & are structurally vulnerable, dependent on a doctor’s mood or willingness to listen, compromise, try something new, within a HUGE power gradient.
2
27
370
I don’t know how we can fix this BUT I tell my friends, patients, people who use drugs, it’s good to have someone else go with you to appts - a friend or anyone really- to be present, help advocate, take notes, witness. Quality healthcare is your right!
21
34
456
@DrKimSue
this!!!
this is why I always go to appointments or the ER with my psych MD mother. Otherwise I have doctors telling me I don’t look like I have allergies when I come into the ER with my EpiPen...
0
0
1
