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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

"Kindly" in medical notes

67 replies

Orangeblossom78 · 05/12/2019 15:30

I got some copies of medical notes about an operation a few years ago. It was an emergency and needed admission through A & E etc.

Anyway, I noticed in the notes it says the surgeons had 'kindly' said they would accept the patient and come and see me (in A & E) I had previous surgery there.

AIBU or is this a bit odd? Surely yes they would see a patient needed admitted, not because they were 'being kind'.

Makes me feel a bit worried in case of another admission.

OP posts:

NCasIknowMNetters · 05/12/2019 16:55

I once had to ask a surgeon from one speciality to come help in another operation because something they weren't expecting was found - think orthopaedics and suddenly you need a vascular opinion RIGHT NOW.

Despite the urgency I had to run to the other theatre, calmly walk in and say something like 'Mr XXX, Mr YYY wonders if you would have a moment to review his patient.'

Mr YYY already handing over to his registrar as this is unusual. 'Of course. Is it urgent?'

Me nodding frantically. 'The patient is open and he doesn't want to extend the anaesthetic.'

The two of us bolt to the other theatre. Mr YYY walks straight over to see what's happening. 'Ahh Mr XXX I heard there was something interesting in here.' Sees the issue. 'Oh that is interesting, would I be overstepping if I asked to assist you?' Runs to go and scrub to help.

etc etc. Very overly polite feigned disinterest. Consultants are the top of their tree and immediate referrals like this still have to have that strange 'I wonder if you would kindly see etc' courtesy.

Elbels · 05/12/2019 16:58

I took umbridge with notes that said 'patient admitted....' as it sounded like under careful interviewing I revealed missing info that helped crack my medical case. What it actually was was that I told them one of my symptoms!

Gitfeatures · 05/12/2019 16:59

Standard. We thank people for referring patients when we write the report - frankly, we're snowed under and would rather they didn't, but there you go.

busface999 · 05/12/2019 16:59

I spotted 'kindly' on my sons notes recently.. the orthopaedic surgeon kindly agreed to review his x ray. Part of his job whether he likes it or not! But yes, as above it was just the Paediatrian being polite to him

mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork · 05/12/2019 17:00

Ha, ha - medical secretary here. Yes, doctors always write to/about each other like this - some of the letters I get to type they dictate things like "kindest regards and my very best wishes" at the end of a letter to doctors they don't actually know all that well and go rather OTT. I am all for politeness and kind remarks and appreciating others' help with your patient but I exercise my editorial rights when they sound as though they are Uriah Heep. Very occasionally, I see a not so polite letter between doctors (not rude but lacking the grateful embellishments/niceties) and these stand out as rather too brusque (and I nearly always can remember who sent them as I am so surprised).

Devereux1 · 05/12/2019 17:02

@NCasIknowMNetters. Love it. I felt I was there. Not sure if Carry On Surgeon or Holby City, but I was there.

AnyFucker · 05/12/2019 17:03

Aww, bless you. It's silly medical speak that means bog all.

Doyouthinktheysaurus · 05/12/2019 17:03

Very normal for Dr's letters.

Bit odd to us normal folk but I see it all the time (nurse)

Lougle · 05/12/2019 17:08

Every specialty has their hierarchy. One Consultant, who is an expert in their field, is asking another Consultant who is an expert in their field, to take over the care of the patient. It isn't for the first Consultant to tell the other to take on the patient and if the second Consultant feels that the referral is inappropriate, they can say 'unable to accept patient due to x, y, z, but suggest a, b, c.' So, when they do accept the patient onto their caseload, that is acknowledged by 'kindly accepted by...'

In intensive care there will often be referrals from ward Consultants. The ICU team will assess the patient and then either say 'recommend ICU and following plan of action (once there)' or 'not suitable for ICU' or 'accept to ICU with the following limits of care...'

It really has nothing to do with your treatment and it's just convention.

Original poster

Orangeblossom78 · 05/12/2019 17:13

What always worries me more is if a medical professional refers to me as "interesting"

I think they mean about your case / condition. Like something interesting / rare

OP posts:

bridgetreilly · 05/12/2019 17:20

I think they mean about your case/condition. Like something interesting/rare

Well quite. You don't want your medical condition to be interesting. You want it to be normal and boring. It's definitely a worrying thing to be described as "interesting".

iklboodolphrednosedreindeer · 05/12/2019 17:21

It's just 'polite' archaic (but still happens) doctor speak. EVERYONE who has had any sort of referral will have a 'kindly'. Don't worry about it

separatebeds · 05/12/2019 17:28

I imagine that now the public has access to any notes about themselves on any systems/ databases and are increasingly aware of their rights to view these notes, that doctors and others will be starting to use much more neutral, factual language that does not give any need for the client to worry and subsequently start making enquiries.

I work in a business where we have a database and keep notes on clients. In the old days we would write whatever we liked - Mr Smith is a difficult bastard who continuously makes up stories.... NOT any more because Mr Smith can walk in at any time and demand to see his notes.....

whatnow40 · 05/12/2019 17:28

We thought it off when our DS had a paediatrics referral, the GP asked the specialist to 'kindly see this young Manchester City fan.' Our GP is a City fan and it turned out the specialist was from Liverpool and an LFC fan. Just doctors having a bit football banter between them during last seasons title race. My husband found it funny.

iklboodolphrednosedreindeer · 05/12/2019 17:30

@separatebeds - I once saw 'thank you for sending me this absolute whale of a child'

Ahhh the good old days

drspouse · 05/12/2019 17:32

Last week a doctor asked me if I would "kindly" do bloods on a patient.
I suppose it's better than doing them viciously...

listsandbudgets · 05/12/2019 17:34

seperatebeds How about "Mr. Smith is a longstanding client and well remembered by the staff who have dealt with him over the years"

SpamChaudFroid · 05/12/2019 17:36

Yeah, it's just floriferous writing. Using extra words just for the hell of it.

Don't even get me started on legalese!

Dahlietta · 05/12/2019 17:38

I'm always a 'very pleasant lady'. In my case it's code for, she's a pain in the arse, but give her a chance, she's alright really.

user1497207191 · 05/12/2019 17:41

Rather than wasting time drafting letters, typing them, posting them, scanning at the other end, reading them, filing them, etc., would it not be easier just to have a system of passing the "file" electronically direct from one to the other with a drop down list of notes/instructions that the sender could select. The whole process could then be done in a fraction of the time and far more efficiently for everyone. All this letter writing sounds more like Dickens era rather than a modern health service.

JinglingHellsBells · 05/12/2019 17:43

It's 'consultant speak.'

They are being courteous to each other.

ditsybag · 05/12/2019 17:43

What always make me smile is "patient denies pain" (or whatever)

Makes it sound like they are strongly disagreeing with the examining HCP, rather than just that they aren't in pain

MadeleineMaxwell · 05/12/2019 17:47

IMO, 'kindly' should only appear in the same sentence as 'fuck off'. It has super-PA overtones to me.

drspouse · 05/12/2019 17:49

thank you for sending me this absolute whale of a child'
I think DS is wondering why I'm shaking with laughter on the sofa next to him.
It reminds me of when an African friend was working at a tourist attraction and a very large white child came in with their parents.
Why is this child as big as an elephant, said my friend to her colleague in their language.
I'M NOT says the child who did, in fact, speak the language.

StarlingsInSummer · 05/12/2019 17:56

My son has had a lot of medical issues and whenever he is referred to another clinic, the letter always requests the new specialist to “kindly” see him, whereas in fact what the paediatrician means is “see this boy”. I wouldn’t read anything into it.

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