tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245783834297902042.post9190064013039665246..comments2023-10-26T05:49:59.824-04:00Comments on Reflections of a Grady Doctor: Terms of endearment.gradydoctorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10639816377218206777noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245783834297902042.post-49915517129205998532010-11-26T11:53:26.213-05:002010-11-26T11:53:26.213-05:00The comments have really enhanced the blog. They a...The comments have really enhanced the blog. They are all great and on target. It's nothing you can really put you finger on or suggest as a general rule. In some cases "it's habitual", in some cases it depends on how the person presents themselves. I doubt that a real "grump butt" will get a lotta "sweeties" and "babes". lolTony Draperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10933409391437441492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245783834297902042.post-23069433431193603582010-11-15T07:22:15.982-05:002010-11-15T07:22:15.982-05:00Love, love, love these comments. I am so with you,...Love, love, love these comments. I am so with you, Anush! Love your son's insight, too. PJ and Tea, I think y'all are right that Mr/Mrs/Ms is supposed to be the default. I am starting to wonder if this is a southern thing? I don't know. But the "sweetie" thing is viral down here. . . .(as is the greetings with fluctuating octaves, Anush. . .)gradydoctorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10639816377218206777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245783834297902042.post-7821866800200466582010-11-14T21:24:44.864-05:002010-11-14T21:24:44.864-05:00At my hospital, we are drilled on calling the pati...At my hospital, we are drilled on calling the patient by Mr/Mrs/Ms last name unless given leave to call them by first name. I confess to the occasional sweetie or honey when I can't remember what their name is at all. If THEY can't remember their own name, I use whatever they respond to.Teanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245783834297902042.post-20048743261314163992010-11-13T12:06:02.139-05:002010-11-13T12:06:02.139-05:00In my paramedic days my rule was inflexible: An ad...In my paramedic days my rule was inflexible: An adult patient, no matter the age difference, was always Mr./Ms./Mrs. Lastname unless very clearly directed otherwise by the patient (or in a rare situation where an altered mental status patient seemed to respond better to a first name). Sir or Ma'am were acceptable substitutes as appropriate. I've never been much on the "Sweetie" or other similar endearment terms.<br /><br />As a patient, I feel the same way. Until/unless I've said otherwise, I expect providers to call me Mr. Geraghty. That said, I'm usually pretty quick to ask that they use my first name. But I think that assuming that's the case is disrespectful.PJ Geraghtyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15883503105104340655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245783834297902042.post-69433752052149733822010-11-13T11:57:55.688-05:002010-11-13T11:57:55.688-05:00Having worked and volunteered in hospitals, prior ...Having worked and volunteered in hospitals, prior to starting medical school, this is definitely a topic I have contemplated many times.<br /><br />I have noticed that some people do it mindlessly, not so much in an attempt to be nurturing or friendly towards the patient, but simply as a matter of habit. That seems to bother me more, because it feels fake. It is akin to having a conversation with someone while they are just nodding and saying "uh-huh" without paying any attention whatsoever. The words lose their meaning.<br /><br />I am also guilty of changing my "tone" when talking to different people. When my older son was 8, he took me to task over this: "Mom, why do you sound like "hiiiiiiii, how AAARE you" [exaggerated mocking of my voice going up in pitch], when Mrs. N calls?" (Nothing like a bright-eyed 8-year-old to put you in your place!)<br /><br />So this has been on my mind, especially since starting medical school, and now having to interview and examine model patients weekly (2nd year). What concerns me most is that after the "sweet old lady" gets called "sweetie" or "honey" and gets an extra smile, the introverted, quiet old lady, who was waiting in the next chair and is in pain and not as friendly, will not get the smile or the same warm treatment.Anushnoreply@blogger.com