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1/
Saw a patient yesterday with burning urination and a recent condomless sexual encounter.
He fumbled through his symptoms and inability to see a provider in a clinic due to COVID-19.
It was likely an STI. I counseled him appropriately and sent antibiotics to his pharmacy.
Saw a patient yesterday with burning urination and a recent condomless sexual encounter.
He fumbled through his symptoms and inability to see a provider in a clinic due to COVID-19.
It was likely an STI. I counseled him appropriately and sent antibiotics to his pharmacy.
2/
Two hours later I was notified he had an issue with the prescription. I thought maybe the pharmacy didn't have one of the antibiotics.
I was wrong.
The pharmacist said the patient was confused, thinking he had more days of treatment after the first five pills.
Two hours later I was notified he had an issue with the prescription. I thought maybe the pharmacy didn't have one of the antibiotics.
I was wrong.
The pharmacist said the patient was confused, thinking he had more days of treatment after the first five pills.
3/
When I called him he apologized profusely. He thought he needed more rounds of antibiotics.
He apologized again for "misunderstanding."
I thought to myself - had I explained things to him as well as I could have?
I hadn't.
I told him to take all five pills at once....
When I called him he apologized profusely. He thought he needed more rounds of antibiotics.
He apologized again for "misunderstanding."
I thought to myself - had I explained things to him as well as I could have?
I hadn't.
I told him to take all five pills at once....
4/
But I failed to emphasize that after those five pills, he was finished.
So I apologized to him.
The misunderstanding wasn't his fault. It was mine.
At almost 40 years of age, this was the first time he had experienced symptoms like this. He was scared.
But I failed to emphasize that after those five pills, he was finished.
So I apologized to him.
The misunderstanding wasn't his fault. It was mine.
At almost 40 years of age, this was the first time he had experienced symptoms like this. He was scared.
5/
After picking up his meds, he immediately went to a fast food drive-thru to get something to eat so he could take them.
He just couldn't believe he only needed "one round" of treatment.
Having STI symptoms is frightening. Consulting Dr. Google is even more alarming.
After picking up his meds, he immediately went to a fast food drive-thru to get something to eat so he could take them.
He just couldn't believe he only needed "one round" of treatment.
Having STI symptoms is frightening. Consulting Dr. Google is even more alarming.
6/
I was reminded that when working in sexual health, details matter.
The shame and stigma of a STI diagnosis can be paralyzing - even when you feel you have explained things clearly.
As clinicians and sexual health advocates, we discuss these things all the time.
I was reminded that when working in sexual health, details matter.
The shame and stigma of a STI diagnosis can be paralyzing - even when you feel you have explained things clearly.
As clinicians and sexual health advocates, we discuss these things all the time.
7/
For many patients, however, it may be their first time at the rodeo.
So we have to explain it again. And again. And again.
Patients don't always "misunderstand" - we just need to communicate better.
#TuesdayThoughts
#sexualhealth
#MedEd
#MedTwitter
#medicalnarratives
For many patients, however, it may be their first time at the rodeo.
So we have to explain it again. And again. And again.
Patients don't always "misunderstand" - we just need to communicate better.
#TuesdayThoughts
#sexualhealth
#MedEd
#MedTwitter
#medicalnarratives
