To wonder why doctors always refer to a patient as pleasant

[Beatinghearts]

I find it strange these nothing particularly pleasant about me. I’m polite but not overly so.

Why would people be upset by an observation that they were anxious? Anxiety is a totally normal human emotion.

Of course, but I get the impression some doctors are just using it as a euphemism for hypochondriac silly female making it up or exaggerating. Presumably if 'pleasant' means 'not a twat' the rest of us mortals are twats

*Why would people be upset by an observation that they were anxious? Anxiety is a totally normal human emotion.

Of course, but I get the impression some doctors are just using it as a euphemism for hypochondriac silly female making it up or exaggerating.*

This was certainly the case in the past. And not even just regarding females. As a teenager, a consultant described my chronic symptoms as due to emotional problems caused by 'parental over-anxiety' and my father's new symptoms as related to his being an 'anxious and insecure man' (he wasn't) and being too worried about me. Within a few months, I had been diagnosed with Crohn's disease. And my dad with myeloma- if he'd trusted that doctor's opinion, he'd have been dead within a year and a half!!!

I do think this sort of medical arrogance is less common nowadays, though no doubt it does occur.

I've been described as pleasant, delightful and also as lovely older woman -all these were in different consultant letters (I was 50 at the time of the last comment but to be honest Cinsulrant looked about 20 )

Many years ago having been referred for a special 4d scan at a London hospital Consultant came in and exclaimed "excellent this is just the sort of unusual womb I need to show them " obviously this made me rather nervous and then he asked if a couple of students could come in to observe the scan as it would be good learning material for them – I said yes and then the couple turned into about 15 ! And there was me with my legs up showing everything

@MoonlightFlitwick

Is it just in England you get sent copies of these letters? I live in Wales and have never received them, despite seeing a few consultants in various fields.

I don't know about other posters, but reading your file of notes when in hospital? I got to see mine because I was waiting for an operation (on the actual day, sitting on a say ward) and they suddenly realised that there had been 'a delay' in the admin team, and a letter detailing the operation hadn't been sent - four months delay! - so was handed the file of correspondence between consultants. (they kept lobbing me between oncology and gynae - I was clearly so "lovely" that each wanted the other team to treat me.)

What does “...with a personality” mean?

@JuniLoolaPalooza lol at 'somewhat distressed ".
Also have seen "excellent historian " and "having somewhat of a bad year"

Excellent or good historian is also a mental state examination component

I was once referred to as 'sturdy' - I am a size 8, felt quite insulted! Would love to know what he meant.

@TartanPunk

I was once referred to as 'sturdy' - I am a size 8, felt quite insulted! Would love to know what he meant.

Maybe they meant that they could give it to you straight / tell you it as it is ?

Thank you BeaLola, hopefully something like that! (Although I suppose I am on the curvy side!)

Mine started with ‘I had the privilege of reviewing clipclop5...’ Slightly confused as personally would say I was being a pita in that appointment but I’ll take the compliment!

After my DC died, their consultant said "you were great" in an email. I really appreciated that. (Just the one DC, btw.)

Referral to mental health team from
GP described me as articulate and well presented...

Its90minutestonight, I’m glad those words gave you some comfort.

I got "complex and interesting" from a psychiatrist once, which is… definitely not a compliment.

I've had "this pleasent young lady" a few times but since I entered the medical field it's been followed with "who is a paramedic"- I've never worked out whether that's code for "be careful, don't fob her off" or "be extra efficient" or "go ahead and speak medicalease"
I assume it's the last option as it makes appointments shorter if we can get to the point I suppose

@MitheringSunday

They don't do that where I live. It's just 'I saw Patient ABC on 123 for XYZ' etc. Much prefer it that way. A doctor's judgement on my personality has no place in a medical report, which, after all, is supposed to be a record of facts. I think it emphasises the power differential, as it being there implies a right to judge the patient's character. I get it's convention, etc etc, but the sooner it dies out the better.

I don't mind 'appeared very distressed' or whatever, as tha records something that was observed and may be relevant (and is marked as a subjective observation).

Agree wholeheartedly with this. What purpose does it serve? Even if you are an arsehole you may still need medical care and the doc to whom you are being referred presumably can’t refuse to treat in the grounds that you might not be a Ray if sunshine? Why mention it?

To be fair, I am complex and interesting! As is pretty much every other human being I've ever met, if you actually talk to them.

A consultant asked where I was from and when I asked how it was relevant, he said he was just being polite. Sure enough, letter arrived "pleasant patient, originally from x". I assumed it was to help him recall me at a later point, if it was required.

Some of it is to help recall. Theres a variety of scenarios where health professionals might be questioned on their appointments in court or by governing bodies long after the appointment and are unlikely to recall.

I've certainly been asked how a patients demeanor was on an appointment 1 year prior (that I only saw once), and if they presented with signs of self neglect . A vague casually dressed and pleasant helps evidence that you did look at the person in those terms and remind you

I was described as a 'high consumer of healthcare' by my former GP ...if he had done his job properly I wouldn't have been !

I've seen 'somewhat splendid woman' which I reckoned meant 'great rack'

I was described as a 'high consumer of healthcare' by my former GP

Dick.

I never get why they have to include the family background on children's notes saying "lives with mum, dad and 13 year old brother."
What's that all about? Why is it so relevant that it needs putting in the doctors letter?!?

I have ongoing medical issues as I had unsuccessful surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism with 4 gland hyperplasia. And this is a real condition, unfortunately. I have about 50 Consultant letters as I'm looking to have more surgery elsewhere and I'm referred to as "a very pleasant lady", "somewhat complicated", or "very nice lady", just my first name, my full name or "our mutual patient". The best one I've come across in my notes is 'This girl requires a four gland exploratory parathyroidectomy". I was the wrong side of 40 when the surgeon wrote that😂.