to wonder why consultants comment on people's personalities?

As other posters have said, it's just code to say what you're like to deal with. I rather love these descriptions and various other things consultants write in their letters and notes. When told I had cancer, the oncoplastic surgeon wrote: 'DoubleC was shocked by the news but took it well.' Translation, I had laughed (out of shock) then burst into tears.

The same consultant referred to me as 'an expert patient' which is a bit of a double edge sword inasmuch as it has two meanings. One is that the patient has been through it all before and is throughly well-versed with the procedure, the other is that they think they know it all. Thankfully, I was very much in the former camp as it was with reference to a second mastectomy when I had already had one. I was rather paranoid about it so asked the consultant. She laughed when she explained and said she meant it in a kind way and that I knew what I would be dealing with both in terms of the surgery and the recovery. She very much enjoyed having me as a patient. However, oncology did not.

My oncologists have always referred to me as 'well-read' and 'forthright' which is highly accurate as I refused steroids during chemo and various other treatments, as well as questioning them at length about all manner of things.

I'd also add that if I make comments about your job/pets/where you live/family it is generally for my benefit so I can remember who on earth you are next time I see you.

It's much easier to recall 'Susan who wants to be able to ride motorbikes again' than 'Susan who is complaining of a bad back'.

I got called wilful
He did also say I would have a great recovery if I was going to be so "bloody stubborn"
He was right!

I was lovely, now delightful-is that a promotion or demotion? 😍

Honestly? I understand that it means “clean, doesn’t smell, speaks in coherent sentences, isn’t drunk / on drugs and isn’t aggressive”. My Dad used to be described as a “pleasant gentleman” in his doctors’ notes - he often wasn’t, he could be a crabby old git (and was in a lot of pain).

Apparently my husband is “ a delightful gentleman!” News to me! Joking!

Re: those who wonder why we include comments on the pt’s appearance - this is standard practice in most spheres of health care, esp MH (in which I work).
Pt’s presentation and appearance all form part of the assessment of their welfare/needs/presentation and issues with this can signify self-neglect / low mood when combined with demeanour, voice, eye contact, and what the pt is self-reporting.

It’s not a value judgement tho.

Fist birth was ds's

I had a midwife who called me "undo-operative" in my notes as we fell out so badly during my DD's birth.

Her manner was so cold and unpleasant, I wanted to complain about her but never got round to it.

I did complain about the terrible stitches I got from a surgeon after DD's birth and they sorted it out after DD's birth.

A woman did it the second time at my request #justsaying...

It is just a way of saying you're compliant as a patient. I don't know what the "they are a difficult fucker" version is though.

They probably refer to me as that bad tempered old cow because I never put up with any shit from consultants.

Strange, I read that as the mother is a pain in the arse as she thinks she knows best 😀

It's so the next person that has to deal with the patient will know how to deal with them. Anxious is code for PITA; lovely means amenable and will listen to you; gentleman means full of himself; pleasant is probably code for docile.

I usually get pleasant but one time I had remarks made on some very old SH scars (more than 25 year old scars so very flat and white). That made me very unhappy. It was completely irrelevant to the matter I was in for. I'd love to know why they wrote that because it's made me paranoid for life about making sure they're covered up whenever I see a doctor.

I was also in resus a couple of years back and couldn't hide them because they asked me to take all my clothes off. One of them shouted about the scars across the room to another, which again made me very unhappy and confirmed that I must keep them hidden wherever possible. I was in no fit state to challenge it at the time, but it wasn't cool. I could understand if they looked recent or fresh, but it should be obvious to anyone that they're from a very long time ago, especially a medical professional.

I should add that not one person has asked me directly about them so I can explain that they are from 1998.

This is interesting. I live abroad and all my medical notes are available online for me and health professionals to access.
They never put anything on the notes that could be used to decode my personality.
So it's usually something like (female, 32) presents with.... so on.

I was just referred to as 'lady' in my latest consultant letter - no descriptives. What does that suggest?!

It’s completely standard lingo on all consultant letters. It’s not meant to offend you or be a judgmental on your personality. It’s helpful for other people reading your notes and helps to build a complete picture.

As a PP said, the default is to be described as “pleasant” lady/gentleman.

Of all the things to get wound up about, I think you can give this one a miss.

My then 16mo was described in a letter as 'certainly very lively and appeared well'

This was probably due to her bolting out of the consultation room wearing just a nappy and racing through the hospital with the consultant chasing after her.

I saw him recently and he remembers it very well, despite the passing years. Child is still very lively and looks destined to make a career out of it.

My heart sank when I read that letter though as knew it was code for something

It's definitely code. On my DDs letters she has been described as attending with her "very well informed mother who is very engaged in her care".

Which was definitely code for "this woman knows what she's talking about and is sick of the lack of action"