Artigo Acesso aberto Revisado por pares

Outpatients: a ringside view

1998; BMJ; Volume: 316; Issue: 7143 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1136/bmj.316.7143.1541a

ISSN

0959-8138

Autores

Robyn L. Ward,

Tópico(s)

Radiology practices and education

Resumo

For six months I have had a ringside seat in outpatient clinics at two London hospitals. The apparently occult nature of my disorder, a paroxysmal cough, weight loss, breathlessness, mild pyrexia, and diarrhoea persisting for 10 months has invoked the multiple application of the alliterative sisters; scans, scopes, smears, and samples, so far without any unambiguous diagnostic conclusion. But I have had a good view from the other end of the speculum. Am I a happy outpatient? By and large, yes. Without exception the medical staff, doctors, nurses, radiologists, and technicians have been caring, kind, and efficient. All my lay questions have been answered honestly and thoroughly. Nobody has called me “Pop” (I am 69) or used my first name, which is remarkable nowadays. Every procedure has been as discrete and dignified as possible and has been explained before and during the event. I cannot complain about any stinting of resources, although the …

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