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.

They don't. I've previously had "very distressed" and "clearly anxious". Basically when I was firm about needing some answers.

I had distressed when I was really frustrated that the consultant didn't seem particularly aware of research around my condition including on the impact of the menopause. I wanted an informed conversation but just got shut down, that's why I was "distressed". Shame I can't comment on him in code in my medical notes .

And there’s me thinking I was someone special when I was described as pleasant on a consultant’s copy letter to my GP.

Seems I’m not that special after all although at least I wasn’t described as being a dick which I’m sure some consultants would dearly love to describe some patients!

I was described as ‘very anxious’ by a consultant I was referred to for rectal bleeding. At that point I was sometimes unable to go as long as 45 minutes without going to the loo, of course I was anxious (& only 23).

My DM used to get "works for social services".

My favourite thing I've ever seen on medical notes was during my gynae placement as a student midwife. A student doc and I were looking over a patient's notes, and a previous admission from the 90s described her social history as "living in sin" we couldn't believe it and had such a giggle!

I'm starting to feel a bit offended now - my last consultant letter didn't use anything to describe me, but there was nothing in our appointment which would indicate I'm difficult!

@NiceGerbil I was once told I had a ‘crooked cervix’ during a smear!

MitheringSunday. I completely agree. Value judgements such as pleasant,, delightful etc have no place or relevance in a patients history. Medically significant descriptions are fair enough as they are helpful for other HCPs to be aware of and take into consideration In order to help someone but pleasant could mean anything from doesn’t hit staff through to sits there quietly and doesn’t ask tricky questions. It feels very outdated, patronising and belittling somehow. Sometimes pleasant patients get completely fobbed off and sent from pillar to post as staff know they’re too ‘pleasant’ to ask for better care. I was a nice, polite, delightful lady for many years and think my reputation as a ‘sweetie’ (soft touch) contributed to me not being diagnosed with a crippling genetic condition until I was in my late 40’s. I’m always polite, respectful and calm but I’m not falling over myself to be a pleasant lady anymore.

My cervix is apparently not where it's supposed to be!

It's code for not a twat

I don't write it but I found it painful to give it up!

It means 'not a twat during their appointment' if it means anything - often it's just habit that gets written for anyone that didn't set fire to the clinic room but it isn't seen as good practice any more.

It's not a factual clinical remark, it is subjective. This question has been raised numerous times on Mumsnet and people read more in to the 'pleasant' comment than the person writing it ever thought they would.

It's also entertaining to get letters from one service describing a patient as pleasant when in another you know they are being absolutely vile.

So if you ever see a letter about you that doesn't say pleasant, you probably were lovely, just the doctor/nurse doesn't make character comments any more. Sorry.

In my birth notes with DC2 I was described as ‘excitable’

DH got a ‘delightful’ in one of his letters from a HCP.

I once got 'handsome young woman'

The orthopaedic surgeon who's going to replace my knee described me as "delightful".

I'm so not delightful. I'm a stroppy old bag, but I made him laugh with my graphic description of almost faceplanting the lawn when my knee gave way on the front steps, and how I was grateful for my big boobs which hit the deck and prevented my face from hitting the ground.

@Sparklingbrook , my husband got a Delightful too. He is, mostly.

@speakout

I am " casually dressed but clean".

Not sure what that means.

One of the things they (and other services) look out for is whether you are caring for yourself. If you are unwashed or looking dirty or unkempt, it could be a sign that you have depression, or Alzheimer’s or another mental health conditions, or that you are living in inadequate housing.

@LapinR0se

I got “this divine lady” from a cardiologist. Howled with laughter

That couldn't be code for 'God complex,' could it? 😆😆😆

Am I the only person who's never seen a consultant! I didn't even realise these letters were a thing.

I got a Clearly worried once, my crime was to ask what the thing they excised from the skin on my back was. As the dr had said it wasnt a skin tag, so I naturally asked what was it then.
I never got my answer and I'm often scared around drs/strange men so for me to even ask was brave. I won't do that again.

I got 'anxious' and 'violent' once. Because I thrashed around in the middle of having an allergic reaction that the (middle aged, male) doctor kept telling me I wasn't having.
I was, and needed oxygen. Still couldn't get it taken out my notes so I'm hoping that being marked as 'violent' at least means future drs won't mess with me!

My GP referred to me on my gynae referral as " this moderately obese , charming young lady" .

I always get told that I'm pleasant and delightful . In my son's recent appointment that I spent 5 years trying to get, I got told I had impeccable and detailed notes. Very much with the tone of I'm a bit over the top and overly worried. I just wrote stuff down on my notebook because I'm super forgetful and didn't want to waste their time. The ENT who also received the letter clearly was expecting someone difficult. He was almost disappointed when I didn't have a notebook I swear 😂 I just needed him to look at DSs tonsils even I can remember that.

I’ve never had a letter from my consultant, so I’ve got no idea what is written. I am taken aback that people get letters.

DD (then 4) was described as delightful. Hm, only a paediatrictian can say this when the child in question was crying in pain.

I had “difficult and stubborn” because I disputed the doctor’s diagnosis that I was allergic to penicillin. I’m not allergic to it. The problem was more serious than that.

I was mortified reading it as a teenager (We read Hamlet in school so I always open letters about me), but I’m so proud now if my younger self and see it as a real compliment.