oregonnerd: differing views

Mis-placed and mis-interpreted hostility: communication with the medical profession

July 4, 2008 at 2:21 pm Leave a comment

I can somewhat sympathize with the patient involved here.  My experiences with the medical profession for many years tended to be negative.  Looking back, one thing I’m sure I did was project dislike of everyone near me when I did have to make a visit.  (Undiagnosed tuberculosis is probably the least serious of my problems with the medical guys, starting in my childhood.)  The potential feedback is something patients may not consider.  The doctor becomes her or his avatar rather than a person, particularly when (s)he is properly avoiding transference.

So I can sympathize with the doctor–internist, pardon me–as well.  My real question, though, is this; having found a doctor with whom you can communicate, how do you extend the experience?  What if you need to go to a specialist on…say, bones, because you have a very rare disease.  How do you find one that can deal with PTSD?

–Glenn

Entry filed under: current news, writing and thought. Tags: doctors, patients, talk, understanding.