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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& #39;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& #39;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& #39;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& #39;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& #39;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& #39;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& #39;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& #39;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& #39;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& #39;t always "misunderstand" - we just need to communicate better.
#TuesdayThoughts
#sexualhealth
#MedEd
#MedTwitter
#medicalnarratives
