In reference to yesterday's blog posting I had someone ask if I was referring to my husband when I said a dear person had called me about going to the doctor, and the answer is no. My husband and I have an understanding that we will always be at each others doctor appointments if we need support. My husband understands that even though I am a nurse, I prefer to be his spouse. Although, it is hard to turn off my medical knowledge and remain silent. Sometimes I wish I would have put a sock in my mouth and played dumb. I told him it is hard to give up control to someone else. I have wished at times I had bit my tongue and not said anything to his doctors. It is hard when you have an emotional attachment to your spouse. You want to do everything possible to take away their pain emotional or physical. You definitely see things differently when you are on the other side of the fence. You want to make sure the doctor and his staff will take good care of your spouse, just as you took an oath to do so for other patients. I can tell you it is not easy to relinquish control to others.
My blog today is my own opinion based on experience of being a health care professional and being a patient. I have learned from experience that it is best not to tell the doctor I am a nurse especially when I am the patient. This is sometimes unavoidable especially if they ask what you do as a profession or if you use too much medical terminology. The doctor either embraces you and engages you in medical decisions or becomes offensive and assumes you will not follow medical advice . I have also heard that I was just being a complainer when I have really been in severe pain. I think this is based on the belief that people in the medical field are the worse patients. We know how much we give to our patients and hate to give up control for others to help us. We think we are infallible.
Another scenario is being a caregiver of a family member. I have warned my dad not to tell his doctors I am a nurse. It has been very relieving to sit back and listen. They explain more which is a relief for me. It takes the stress off me to try and explain every thing to my dad. I can just reinforce what is said after we leave the appointment. I learned from experience with other family members that once the doctor knows your a nurse it either earns you respect or goes sour. They either jump into the cover yourself mode by ordering too many test or think you can take care of everything. They suddenly say we will let you take care of things for the patient especially if their staff is overworked. It can become a very stressful scenario.
There has been only a few doctors who have left me feeling overwhelmed and wishing I had never been a nurse. Perhaps they have had bad experiences with other medical personal that are patients. We all are human and become emotionally involved when we or our loved ones are ill. I can only pray that my future encounters will be better with those doctors.
I know that my husband is proud of the fact that I am an nurse, and so is my dad. I am proud that they trust me to help them. I hope they also know that I can't always help them and that doctors get burned out just as I have. If you're a health care professional remember to take a break and do something for yourself or you may find yourself as the patient. My advice is put a sock in your mouth and follow your doctor's advice. Good luck it's hard not to voice your opinion.
Life is beautiful when the sun shines !!
Elizabeth:)
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