Jenn’s Life

The following was an extremely positive exchange I had with one of the infectious disease (ID) specialist physicians on my “team” at the medical center where I am a patient. He has followed me over the past two years, though only while an inpatient. I have always been confident that he is a knowledgeable doctor and very nice man, but our conversations have historically left me feeling defensive and distrusted. After one particularly rough encounter, I opted to write him a letter explaining how his approach affected me; the letter and the subsequent e-mail exchange are copied below (with a few changes to protect privacy) as an example of how we, as patients, can give our medical team members the benefit of the doubt, and end up with a stronger partnership, renewed trust, and greater understanding of those involved in our care.

Feel free to use my letter as a resource for patient-physician communications; I am also available to help with wording and style issues offline, should anyone out there ever need help in this sort of situation. Not that this exchange is perfect, but (I think) it does provide a good look into assertive (rather than aggressive) problem-solving. (Others may feel free to disagree and make recommendations for future communications.) (more…)

December 4, 2006

Dear Medical Staff,

I don’t know what to say anymore. I don’t know how to respond when you say things like, “well, we saw this coming,” or ask, “do you have an explanation for this one?” Really, what possible response could I have to that?

Yes, we talked about the possibility of infection, and the amplified consequences of it happening with an implanted port versus a simple PICC. We talked about my susceptibility to line infections, and how PICC lines were easier and safer to remove. But what I am finding it increasingly difficult to deal with is the implication (or, admittedly, possibly inference) that somehow these infections are consequences of poor decision-making on my part, or somehow my fault, rather than unfortunate biological occurrences for which no one can be blamed. I am not a flighty person; I am not medically ignorant; I do not make these choices without serious consideration and long discussions with my husband as well as medical professionals. Yet I often feel as though, in your sincere attempts to repeatedly educate me about the risks and alternatives, you reserve the right to an “I-told-you-so” by virtue of the fact that I have chosen something you’ve never chosen—nor likely ever had to choose—for yourself. (more…)