1/
#HumanismAlways, Day 3
Them: “Okay, I’ll dial up a Spanish interpreter while we walk over.”
Me: “Oooooh. Can we call for the in-person one instead?”
*silence*
Me: *starts dialing* “They come quick, I promise.”
Them: “No. . . umm. . . it’s fine.”
It did not seem fine.
#HumanismAlways, Day 3
Them: “Okay, I’ll dial up a Spanish interpreter while we walk over.”
Me: “Oooooh. Can we call for the in-person one instead?”
*silence*
Me: *starts dialing* “They come quick, I promise.”
Them: “No. . . umm. . . it’s fine.”
It did not seem fine.
2/
Though it’s been over 20 years, I remember what it was like to be a resident. I also remember the dreaded feeling of an attending speed breaker when I was trying to get a lot done.
Me: “I know it takes a little longer to call an interpreter.”
Them: “It’s cool.”
*silence*
Though it’s been over 20 years, I remember what it was like to be a resident. I also remember the dreaded feeling of an attending speed breaker when I was trying to get a lot done.
Me: “I know it takes a little longer to call an interpreter.”
Them: “It’s cool.”
*silence*
3/
Me: “You know why I like in-person interpreters?”
Them: “No. . . they’re great. It’s fine, I promise.”
Me: “For the shenanigans.”
Them: *stops walking* “Wait. What?”
Me: “You can’t really get into too much random mischief over the phone or the tablet.”
*laughter*
Me: “You know why I like in-person interpreters?”
Them: “No. . . they’re great. It’s fine, I promise.”
Me: “For the shenanigans.”
Them: *stops walking* “Wait. What?”
Me: “You can’t really get into too much random mischief over the phone or the tablet.”
*laughter*
4/
Me: “Listen—don’t miss this teachable moment! Random mischief and shenanigans are important in patient care!”
*laughter*
Just then, Ana, our interpreter, rang us back and said she was on her way.
Me: “Let’s do this!”
Me: “Listen—don’t miss this teachable moment! Random mischief and shenanigans are important in patient care!”
*laughter*
Just then, Ana, our interpreter, rang us back and said she was on her way.
Me: “Let’s do this!”
5/
Moments later, we were standing in front of our patient with Ana. And yes, we asked about pain and difficulty breathing and more. We recounted the history of present illness and did key parts of the exam.
And all of that was fine.
It was.
Moments later, we were standing in front of our patient with Ana. And yes, we asked about pain and difficulty breathing and more. We recounted the history of present illness and did key parts of the exam.
And all of that was fine.
It was.
6/
But peppered throughout were the shenanigans and random things.
Like how our patient thinks iPhone’s are overrated and androids get a bum rap. Or how his younger cousin put his cornrow braids in for him but always does them too tightly.
Ha.
But peppered throughout were the shenanigans and random things.
Like how our patient thinks iPhone’s are overrated and androids get a bum rap. Or how his younger cousin put his cornrow braids in for him but always does them too tightly.
Ha.
7/
Or how next time we should avoid an IV in his left antecubital fossa since he’s a lefty.
Yeah. That.
And yes. I recognize that having in-person interpretation isn’t always an option. Just as I’m certain there are some tele-interpreters down for some shenanigans.
However.
Or how next time we should avoid an IV in his left antecubital fossa since he’s a lefty.
Yeah. That.
And yes. I recognize that having in-person interpretation isn’t always an option. Just as I’m certain there are some tele-interpreters down for some shenanigans.
However.
8/
Any chance I get to see a little more of who my patient is outside of the hospital never fails to help me care for them in the hospital.
Yup.
So shout out to Ana and every other awesome interpreter — in-person, by phone, and all things in between.
Mm hmmm.
Any chance I get to see a little more of who my patient is outside of the hospital never fails to help me care for them in the hospital.
Yup.
So shout out to Ana and every other awesome interpreter — in-person, by phone, and all things in between.
Mm hmmm.
9/
But especially the ones who are down for some random mischief and shenanigans.
Because that’s helpful for human connection. And human connection is essential to patient caring.
And for knowing which arm to avoid when placing an IV.
Yeah.💛
#humanismalways
#humanismosiempre
But especially the ones who are down for some random mischief and shenanigans.
Because that’s helpful for human connection. And human connection is essential to patient caring.
And for knowing which arm to avoid when placing an IV.
Yeah.💛
#humanismalways
#humanismosiempre
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