Just a light hearted aside from the usual struggles with AF, ablations, cardioversions etc. . Whenever I see a new doctor and get a copy report or letter to my GP, it seems to always start with (examples from the last two): "It was a pleasure to review this gentleman in clinic today" or "Many thanks for referring this pleasant gentleman...". Not complaining at all, but it got me thinking if this was some kind of code between doctors e.g. to position paients on a scale going up to difficult or potentially litigious. Or maybe it's a template from an NHS training manual in the chapter on " How to come across as warm and understanding ". Maybe I shouldn't even be questioning it, but it does seem a bit archaic and superfluous. Is it me, or has anyone else come across this?
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My Cardio goes straight to the point when writing to my GP, no flowery language - straight into his observations. Perhaps it's because when I was referredto him. he already knew me😆
I’d rather have insincere than grumpy, at least it’s polite. I really don’t think doctors can win, if it’s just factual they are accused of being ‘cold’, if they talk in technical language - incomprehensible and patronising.
I have had that also. Take it as a compliment, I do. There are too many people looking for the bad side of things,and if you are looking, you will find, or at least you think you will. I got accused of patronising from a father because I told his son he did very well in something. Perhaps next time I should say he did cr..p.
It is just a way of expressing common civility. We all used to write Dear Sir/Madame. The recipient would rarely be the object of our affection. I do find this mode of expression to be helpful.
Yes, had this too, ''thank you for sending me this lovely lady who I saw in clinic today', I also had another which was trying to keep gender neutral !!!! At my time of life I want to be referred to by my name, they have 4 to choose from, I don't want to be a they or them and noooooo I cannot possibly be pregnant but if I am, then its a miracle!
I'm doing an online teaching course and the same tactic is employed by the tutors there.
After my first assignment my marking feedback began with "It was an absolute pleasure to read..." I was quite chuffed and thought I must have really nailed all the criteria - until I got the feedback for my second one, which began: "It was an absolute pleasure to read..."
Clearly using a standard template. The course actually goes into the subject of assessment and feedback, and teaches me I should start with a positive, make my criticism constructive and supportive, and end on a positive, encouraging note.
Reassurance and inspiring confidence is the game and it's no different in the medical world. Although it may seem a little insincere when it's done as a matter of course, I'd rather have it that way than the brusque, dismissive manner some consultants may reportedly be guilty of at times.
I heard a saying at a Humanist funeral recently and I think it applies here.
"It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice."
Thanks to this forum I went to see my EP armed with a list of sensible, pertinent questions, so his letter to my GP started with something along the lines of " I saw this pleasant and switched-on lady today" Made me smile and yes I thought it was code too for "watch yourself with this one 🤣"
How about "Mr Smith staggered into my surgery this morning,but I reassured him that I could probably save him now he's with a real doctor" Polite and to the point surely
Things written in notes changed a lot once patients could request to see them. A lot of abbreviations disappeared. I hesitate to quote but FLK, NFS are 2 that I remember.Suggestions welcome
A local town has the reputation for having residents who are intellectually challenged, eccentric, or both. Hence the term NFX - normal for town X - to indicate a patient is a bit dotty.
My letters from consultants to my GP usually begin with, 'Thank you for referring this pleasant lady who came to clinic today with her husband.' I reckon the template is there on the computer as all the consultants start the same way!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣 xx Moy
Yep universal medical lingo like if you have a stent, heart valve, triple bypass etc they always refer it as thats now fixed!!, if only it were true although still a comfort to hear.
Then there's the term "well-nourished." I believe it means that the person is not starved-looking or dangerously thin or anorexic. But for heavier folk, it might come off as non-complimentary.
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