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If your doctor had five unfiltered minutes to speak their mind, there are quite a few brutal truths they’d immediately like to get off their chest.

Like how the healthcare system is crumbling. Or how annoying it is when a person rushes to the emergency room for a week-old flu.

Since they can’t really say most of these things to a patient’s face, medical experts got a golden opportunity to give their two cents in an online forum. They shared everything from common-sense rules to clever life hacks.

We’ve picked the absolute best insights so that you’re well prepared before an emergency comes knocking.

#1

A medical field worker applies a bandage to a patient's arm. This highlights the care medical field workers provide. Vaccines are safe and effective. They are, without any question, one of the top 5 life saving advancements humans have ever invented. I’m talking plumbing, hand washing, pasteurization, antibiotics and vaccines. 

1/5 of all kids would d*e by 5 before we had vaccines. 20%!!!!!! 

Stop being ridiculous and get vaccinated.

efox02 , CDC Report

Tamra
Community Member
1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just heard about someone dying yesterday in Pennsylvania from measles. F*cking measles.

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    #2

    A female nurse and male doctor tend to an elderly female patient in a hospital bed, who is wearing an oxygen mask, in the medical field. ICU RN, there are many times that we are keeping people alive far beyond what the body intended. We're doing it with devices and medications to give you, the friends and family, time to come to terms with what's going on, that the patient is going to pass. Unfortunately, this is not the same as them being alive and on the path to recovery and there are many times where the most merciful thing for us to do is not ask the patient to "keep on fighting" or "do you everything in order to give them a chance" but instead to tell them that you love them and that you've been grateful for the time you've had.

    DreamSpan , DC Studio Report

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    #3

    Your weight might not be the cause of your issue, but it’s probably not helping it. Your heart, lungs, joints don’t give a f**k about body positivity.

    fhfm Report

    ginger
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    you can love yourself but still understand that this is not healthy, and that can be a fine line to walk

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    In a standard 15-minute office visit, a doctor has to review charts, perform an examination, write prescriptions, and complete billing paperwork. They simply don't have time to unpack deeply rooted misconceptions or educate patients on how health systems work.

    That’s why these responses matter — maybe patients can meet the experts halfway and make their jobs a bit easier.

    Because, let’s be honest, a doctor’s job is anything but easy. They constantly deal with high stress, long hours, and systemic frustration.

    #4

    A close-up of a newborn baby with a full head of hair sleeping peacefully in an incubator, representing a crucial aspect of the medical field. NICU nurse: it's not your fault.

    MRSRN65 , Getty Images Report

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    #5

    Medical field workers, a nurse and a doctor, attend to a patient on a stretcher in a hospital hallway. I'm an ER doc, I wish people would appreciate it's a *good thing* when you have to wait.  You DO NOT want to be the person I see moments after they arrive.

    LCranstonKnows , mart production Report

    Shark queen 🦈🦈🦈
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In defense of those who are waiting, many of them are in extreme pain and just want it over with. While in hindsight yes, when I've had my injuries I did not need to be immediately seen at least not before someone who had been like in a car accident or about to d*e. However it did not feel like that. People are in pain. This is coming from someone who in there 21 years of living has had seven casts

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    #6

    I had to do CPR on my husband. As a trained nurse, when I realized he was not breathing in the bed next to me, I still did the most panicked, disorganized CPR: I did precordial thumps, which are not done any more, I did chest compressions with random breaths thrown in, and I started it on the bed instead of the hard surface of the floor because I didn’t think I could get him to the floor.
    But I did aggressive, deep chest compressions (yelling at him the whole time), and kept it going until the fire department arrived and took over, and he is still with us and neurologically intact. I would encourage everyone to take CPR, and if needed, use it. The life you save might be your loved one.

    anngrn Report

    Ace
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was on the phone to the emergency services, having first called them, of course before starting CPR on my wife. I'd done shedloads of trainings over the years, so knew exactly what to do, but I'm sure that talking to them as I did it also helped. Sadly it did not help my wife. Later realised that she was already gone before I even started. Even if you do everything right you cannot restart a heart that has already dîed. EDIT: But yeah not trying to be a downer, I completely agree with this post, specifically the last two sentences.

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    It’s no secret that the healthcare system in most countries is under massive strain.

    The World Health Organization (WHO) described 2025 as “one of the most difficult years” in the agency’s history — after sudden, severe cuts to international aid left hospitals everywhere struggling.

    Experts believe this is being driven by three growing threats: emerging pandemics, drug-resistant infections, and increasingly fragile healthcare systems.

    #7

    D***h is not the worst thing that can happen to someone. Why are we working so hard to keep someone alive just for them to spend the rest of their life in pain, unable to do the things they want to do, and bankrupt? 

    I’ve made it very clear to my spouse that if I’m ever in a situation that will leave me permanently disabled with a poor quality of life, just let me pass in peace. Don’t prolong the misery.

    duracraft_fan Report

    Billo66
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes, they have the medicine to prolong your life which at the time is wonderful. Then, not to sound ungrateful, they don't tell you that you will feel like crud every single day getting progressively worse. I did make it past my "expiration date" lol so I guess that's something. I have to lose the mindset of "Is this the day?" and think "Not today, I'm too busy." :)

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    #8

    A woman doing squats with dumbbells on a yoga mat, with a laptop open nearby, showing a home workout. Please exercise regularly.

    It gets harder and harder to fix deconditioning the older you get.

    Key_Ad7306 , Getty Images Report

    Brian Droste
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I am in my mid sixties. Few months ago I started exercise program. I already seen a difference in my self. Plus started eating eating better. I feel better and and lost a few pounds because it. Also seems like my stamina is better.

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    #9

    A hand pouring a drink into a glass. This image is likely unrelated to the medical field workers article. When I ask you if you drink alcohol or do d***s and the amount or how often… I don't care what the answer is, I really don't. just please give me an honest answer.

    Square-Marsupial-784 , Josh Olalde Report

    Janissary35680
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "There are two people that it's fatal to lie to: Your lawyer and your doctor."

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    Behind the long wait times and busy waiting rooms, there’s an actual global crisis.

    According to the WHO, 4.6 billion people still lack access to essential health services, and around 2.1 billion face financial hardship because of health costs.

    Compounding the crisis, the world faces a projected shortage of 11 million healthcare workers by 2030, more than half of them nurses.

    #10

    A female medical field worker in scrubs and a stethoscope writes on a clipboard at a desk with a laptop. You have to do the work to get better. Whether that's physical therapy or quitting smoking or following the wound care routine.

    The doctors can only do so much.

    HelgaGeePataki , Getty Images Report

    Tamra
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm seeing this play out in real time with my brother. It's infuriating and exhausting watching someone willfully destroying their health and life through sheer neglect and laziness. He's now fully disabled, has chronic heart failure, diabetes and end stage kidney failure, and had a stroke in December. He's 51 years old. All of it was preventable - all of it.

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    #11

    Finishing up medical school this year. We think about you (the patients) a lot.

    I go home after my hospital shifts worrying about you. Your condition. Whether you're going to code again. Whether your condition will get better. Will the night team have to transfer you to the MICU? Will you ever become strong enough for surgery after being on my unit for 40 days with an intraabdominal abscess?

    Whether you're going to be able to ever return to work or get your life back to normal. Your cancer. Your heart. Your intractable vomiting. All your pain and discomfort that I wish I could make disappear if I only had a magic wand.


    Your rare rheumatic condition or demyelination that's left you thinner than a h*******t survivor, despite the best medical care modern humans can muster.

    If the pain medication I prescribed you will trigger your rare heart condition into arrest, even though my pharmacist and the consult electrophysiologist said it's probably safe

    I think about you walking your daughter down the aisle. You missing your high school graduation. The lady I hugged last month, knowing your mother's thrombotic stroke wasn't in an operable vessel as we handed her off to the helicopter transport crew. We'll all try anyways.

    I think about you. A lot.

    nevertricked Report

    #12

    A man blowing his nose, illustrating a common concern medical field workers wish more people understood about health. Just because you have a cough or sniffles for 3 days, it doesn’t mean you need antibiotics. Over prescribing does more harm than good, and doesn’t help you if it’s viral, and chances are it is….

    moonspellpecado , Brittany Colette Report

    Auntriarch
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Or as my last Dr said "come back if your snot turns green, I can give you something for that"

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    Urbanization is an unexpected catalyst reshaping modern healthcare.

    A recent report by consumer health company RB highlights how moving to cities is actually triggering a wave of new health challenges.

    While city living offers proximity to top-tier hospitals, it also affects daily habits. Urban spaces often swap fresh food for cheap, ultra-processed meals and green spaces for dense concrete. This leads to physical inactivity, high stress, and constant exposure to air pollution.

    #13

    Two medical field workers performing surgery, demonstrating the critical and demanding nature of their profession. When your surgery starts late, we probably found something in the previous patient that made it take longer. Would you like for us to set a timer for you and just close you up when it goes off, regardless of where we are in the case? No? Ok then.

    cola_zerola , Weverton Oliveira Report

    Rali Meyer
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    not that a patient has places to go before the surgery...

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    #15

    A close-up of a smartphone screen showing the number 112 being dialed, representing an emergency call in the medical field. Paramedic here.

    Calling 112 does not automatically get you a room in the ER.

    Using an ambulance to go to the ER for something small takes resources away from other actual emergencies.

    Many of us carry f*ntanyl for pain management. I know it has the same name as the d**g you hear about in the news, but we’re very good at administering it and we’d love to treat you or your child’s pain with it. It’s safe and very effective.

    Also pretty please get house numbers we can read from the street.

    hike-away , Dimitri Karastelev Report

    Chich the witch
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    House numbers. Put up easy to see house numbers. We once had a push to get people to do this in a town where it was a real issue. . Us (FD), ambulance and police went door to door to get people onboard. Had some argue that they didn't need them. I just said well that's ok. it was more of an issue for the other two agencies, I just had wait for the smoke to show me where they lived.

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    Stuffy indoor spaces and dirty city air are also making conditions like asthma way more common.

    On top of that, global obesity rates are climbing fast. Researchers estimate that if things keep going the way they are, nearly one out of every four people on the planet will be living with obesity by 2045.

    “These numbers underline the staggering challenge the world will face in the future in terms of numbers of people who are obese, or have type 2 diabetes, or both. As well as the medical challenges these people will face, the costs to countries’ health systems will be enormous,” says researcher Alan Moses of Danish healthcare company Novo Nordisk’s research and development department.

    Never miss a story that brings joy to the world. Follow on Google News

    #16

    A patient, possibly a medical field worker, looks contemplative while wearing a nasal cannula in a hospital bed. While recovery in the hospital should be comfortable, we are not a high end hotel. If lab draws are to be drawn at 4am, I will wake you up to draw.

    If the physician ordered q2 vitals and blood glucose checks, I am waking you up to get them.

    If you are on a low sodium diet, no I cannot just order you a cheeseburger.

    I understand that you are having a bad time, but on a critical care floor, you need to be monitored more closely. Don't take it out on the staff. The amount of a***e I have endured is insane. I am not on 'a power trip' I am trying to keep your a*s alive.

    Starlit_Buffalo , Tima Miroshnichenko Report

    Daya
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I never complain about the medical staff in a hospital. If it is necessary for my treatment to do certain things, I am fine. But it was Paracelsus who once said 'Let your food be your medicine and your medicine your food.' and he was right. The food I eat (or better: don't eat) in a hospital is never good. Wether it is too salty, mushy or tasteless, it is never good. I don't mind If the food doesn't taste like at home, but I would definately feel better if I am not hungry because of the disgusting food.

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    #17

    Two women, possibly medical field workers, looking at bottles on a shelf, demonstrating their work. I wouldn't ask you these questions if I didn't have to for my job. I'm not going to judge whatever you tell me, and if I could have gotten the info from previous notes of ppl you already told this to, I would much prefer to do that than speak to you. But ppl you speak to don't write down everything you tell them and sometimes, there's conflicting information and I need to check with you. Doctors also make mistakes and miss things, like a regular human, so I am just checking. Treating me with condescension or suspicion doesn't achieve anything... With love, your pharmacist. .

    peripera , cottonbro studio Report

    Sue User
    Community Member
    23 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I am fine with questions but don't make me fill out 10 pages of medical information just to ask the same questions verbally.

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    #18

    Mental health nurse here, pretty much everybody is a few nights without sleep and some tragic news away from a psychiatric episode.

    canineprizm Report

    Aging populations are also reshaping healthcare. People are living and working longer than ever before, which is both an advantage and a challenge.

    This demographic shift, along with rising medical costs, is pushing people to seek quick, easy answers outside doctors’ offices.

    For many, the first stop is a quick web search or a social media video.

    Experts warn this shortcut often leads to confusion and dangerous misinformation.

    #19

    A medical field worker in a red uniform assists a distressed woman into an ambulance, highlighting patient care. As an EMT, I wish more people understood that coming in the ambulance does not mean you'll be seen right away. 
    The amount of times I've had a patient say "I could've drove myself or got a ride but I didn't feel like sitting in the waiting room" is genuinely upsetting.

    Key_Hat7942 , Pavel Danilyuk Report

    #20

    A tired medical field worker in scrubs and a face shield sits against a wall. This shows the exhaustion medical field workers often experience. Physician here

    We are less in control of the operational aspects of patient care and care delivery than patients understand. We’re often not in control of our own workload or schedules.

    Blame insurance, blame government regulations, blame healthcare system administrators. But don’t blame doctors or nurses.

    Benedicts_Twin , Getty Images Report

    Learner Panda
    Community Member
    7 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Too much administration staff and not enough medical staff.

    Severe system strain isn’t just a political or financial metric.

    A ton of research shows that healthcare professionals are particularly susceptible to depression and burnout.

    A study conducted in Europe by the WHO in 2025 found a high prevalence of mental health conditions and unsafe working conditions — including violence, extended working hours, and shift work — in healthcare.

    Research also shows that burned-out healthcare workers are twice as likely to make medical errors, experience lower empathy, and face higher rates of communication breakdowns.

    When patients come in unprepared, hide key medical details, or demand unnecessary treatments they saw online, it clearly adds to the pressure.

    #21

    A medical field worker, dressed in a lab coat, checks his watch and holds a clipboard in a hospital hallway. We also get frustrated with 20 minute appointments. It’s not enough time in majority of cases.

    Full_Air233 , RDNE Stock project Report

    Crystal M
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Who is getting an entire 20 minutes?

    #22

    A medical field worker in a mask explaining a document to a couple, highlighting the complexities medical workers face. Your insurance is not your friend. It’s your enemy. It’s creating a divide between you and your provider.

    Ok_Statistician643 , Mikhail Nilov Report

    Michael Largey
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    More importantly, in the US it creates a divide between you and your health.

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    Some of these tips might sound familiar, while others might completely surprise you. Either way, it’s the kind of practical advice that usually gets cut short during a rushed appointment.

    This list won’t replace a real doctor’s visit, but keeping these truths in mind will help you get the absolute best out of your next appointment — and keep you safer in the meantime.

    #23

    A man sitting on the ground with his head in his hands, highlighting the emotional toll on medical field workers. I’m a psychologist, so not strictly medical, but adjacent. I wish people understood that PTSD can be cured! We have amazing treatments and you can have hope for your future. You’re not alone in this.

    dishabituation , Lombe K Report

    Marnie
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    People should also understand you don't need to have been in a war zone to developer PTSD. I think that is much more common knowledge now than in the past, but I've also read a lot of comments from people p*o-pooing people with PTSD because they weren't a soldier.

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    #24

    Exercise, exercise, exercise. also, if you have diabetes, please take management seriously. you may lose limbs or have to deal with severe, chronic infections if you don’t. also for young people, sunscreen in your youth will make a big difference in how you look at 40-60.

    snekome2 Report

    #25

    If you want to birth without pain interventions (such as an epidural) please for the love of god, do some prep work other than watching TikTok! Labor is PAINFUL and you need to prepare your mind and body.

    Stupidkittles Report

    WindySwede
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And no home births! We have hospitals for the sake of saving the baby and mother if something happens! And some cases if the father faints.. 🙃 If you have a problem with hospitals, get help, talk to someone about your fears!

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    #26

    A physical therapist assists a female patient on a blue exercise ball, focusing on posture and core strength in the medical field. I work in physical therapy. Patients should know they won’t get better if they only perform the assigned activities when we see them.

    PandaBJJ , magnific Report

    Billo66
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I just now checked and adjusted my chair posture. Makes a difference if you sag or droop your back for a long time. Set up straight. Your vertebrae develop compression fractures, I lost 3 inches of height due to it and will show you medical records and scans to prove it. It hurts and s***s. 9 compression fractures. 5'11" to 5'8"

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    #27

    A young man in a medical setting, possibly a patient or medical field worker, sits contemplatively beside an MRI machine. Know what medications you take, and why. So many people have little to no insight into what they are prescribed. And no, having a fairly normal blood pressure because you are taking 3 pills for hypertension does not mean you don’t have high blood pressure.

    Pasngas42 , MART PRODUCTION Report

    Daya
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Oh, I take one of the big white pills in the morning, two red and white capsules later and the big pink pill and two small white pills for the night!"

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    #28

    A medical field worker hugging a patient, showing the compassionate side of healthcare that workers want people to understand. Physican Here
    I wish we did a better job letting patients know how deeply we care for them and are amazed and honored that they trust us with their well being and their life.We often appear to distance ourselves from the emotional relationship by focusing on procedures, medical language etc but believe me that deep caring is there. If it ever leaves than it is time to leave the profession.

    184Terrill , https://kaboompics.com/ Report

    Otto Katz
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I imagine if docs let patients know how much they cared, even a little bit, patients might follow their directions better. I don't know.

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    #29

    A male doctor in a white coat with a stethoscope talks to a patient in an office setting, reflecting medical consultation. I don’t get more money by prescribing more meds or ordering more tests or convincing you to do your vaccinations. In fact, I could probably make more money by NOT doing those things because my appointments would be super quick so I could see more patients. and I would have less to do in my personal time (following up on results, refilling prescriptions, etc).

    Snoozebutton4life , Vitaly Gariev Report

    Kristiina Männiste
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ..actually in my country GP-s get more money for persuading for vaccinations. Not in a bad big pharma way, but because it benefits the patients. There is a list of percentages of vaccinie coverage and test coverage for patients with chronic illnesses and if the GP has good coverage results they get slightly more money from the goverment. It is meant to ensure that the GP would know the children and people with chronic illnesses in their charge (usually one GP has from 500 to 2700 patients in their charge here) and would keep tabs on their health.

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    #30

    I wish people whose loved ones have dementia would stop talking to them as if they remember everything, as if they are the exact same people they used to be. I wish they would not get upset when their mom doesn’t remember that their dad already died 10 years ago or blame their loved one for “knowing better“ when they neglect their own health or medication and end up hospitalized.

    SaltyBasis1372 Report

    Wonky Donkey
    Community Member
    1 day ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Also, know that it is OK to use "gentle untruths" when talking to someone with dementia. If they ask where their wife who died 10 years ago is, you can tell them she's out shopping/on her way over/at work etc and then gently move the conversation on.

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    #31

    A medical field worker in glasses and a stethoscope examines an X-ray. Medical field workers are dedicated to diagnosis and care. As someone who works in neurology- it frustrates me to no end if I can’t give you a diagnosis, but new diseases are being discovered every year. Some things we don’t have a name for.

    Efficient_Morning184 , Getty Images Report

    Marnie
    Community Member
    1 day ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It doesn't frustrate me when a doctor can't give a diagnosis. What frustrates me is when instead of saying, "I don't know," it turns into, "there is nothing wrong with you." They did this with a colleague of mine. She was having all kinds of issues for at least a year. One doctor straight up told her that she was a hypchondriac. One day she woke up and couldn't use her legs. Went to the ER and discovered she had a softball sized tumor in her brain. Luckily, they got it removed with seemingly no long-term issues (as close to a miracle as I've observed in real life).

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    #32

    There are people who go to the emergency rooms for REAL emergencies..you may have to wait a while to be seen by your provider bc they are actually prioritizing their patients by critical needs.

    DM_catpics Report

    #33

    An elderly man clutches his chest, suggesting discomfort or pain, relevant to medical field workers insights. Most of our diagnostics are to rule out really bad things, not necessarily figured out definitely what is happening. For example can figure out your chest pain isn’t a heart attack or big clot or cancer, etc but we may not figure out the exact cause of some symptoms.

    petersimmons22 , Curated Lifestyle Report

    Otto Katz
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My uncle went into the hospital er for a heart attack, was diagnosed with gas. We never let him forget.

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    #34

    A medical field worker in a face mask looks stressed, holding his forehead. He represents the challenges medical field workers face. The healthcare system is crumbling and we’re being asked to do more and more with fewer and fewer resources. We don’t have the tools to properly do our jobs, yet somehow we’re the ones expected to absorb all the anger, verbal a***e, and even physical violence from frustrated patients.

    MajikPwnE , Towfiqu barbhuiya Report

    Geoffrey Scott
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Conversely, I had bad knee pain from mid-winter on. Went to Doc, who happened to have a student doctor shadowing him that day. Student said "May be a torn meniscus"... Doc:" No I think it's arthritis" No MRI, just x-ray and ultrasound. Was referred to an ortho a couple months later, who did an MRI and found...torn meniscus. Couldn't resist dropping in on Doc and relaying when surgery, that he missed..was scheduled.

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    #35

    I do home care visits for the home/bed bound. I'm there as your primary care provider, not as a paid companion. I really do understand that you are lonely and want company, but I have 18 other patients that I have to see. While I actually do want to hear all about your grandchild's best friend's new puppy, I just don't have the time.

    Scucer Report

    #36

    A medical field worker takes the blood pressure of a patient in a hospital room, highlighting their care. Pharmacist. If you're sick, you're going to feel sick (and thats OK). No combination of OTC meds is going to miraculously cure you, it may just help make the day more tolerable.

    Too many people want the instant fix and won't slow down to let their body heal.

    bhughes1209 , RDNE Stock project Report

    Sarah Suelzle
    Community Member
    1 day ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wholeheartedly agree. In my experience, 9/10 what is needed is rest. I feel like many times if you're tired and don't stop to rest and take of yourself, your body will make you sick and make you rest. Yet another unfortunate aspect of the American work culture where you are "strongly encouraged" to suck it up and get back to work (really before you should) instead of slowing down and taking care of yourself. U_U

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    #37

    A surprised medical field worker in a lab coat and stethoscope, expressing a common reaction. I absolutely understand that you are/your loved one is having a terrible time- yelling at me/my colleagues does not help your situation in any way shape or form. If we could have assisted you faster/better/differently we more than likely would have. Your priorities are not our priorities even though it feels like they should be. Google doesn’t dictate the services or treatment you receive or the diagnosis you are given. I am sorry. I really am. I am not your servant. I am a highly educated, well trained professional. Thanks.

    somethingblue331 , Usman Yousaf Report

    Janissary35680
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Code White": An attaçk , threat, or physical/verbal violence against a medical caregiver is a felony in Turkey and taken very seriously.

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    #38

    Just because someone has good vital signs and is talking doesn’t mean their COPD, ESRD, CAD, CHF, and cancer is going away. They need actual goals of care.

    lou-chains Report

    #39

    Being an organ donor does NOT mean I will try less hard to save your life.

    I have no idea who is an organ donor. An entirely separate entity from anyone associated with the hospital puts those wheels into motion when someone is already braindead.

    otterstew Report

    #40

    We are not trying to scam you when we said "diet and exercise" as a part of your treatment, we say it because it's proven to help.

    SomewhatSane99 Report

    #41

    Please clean out your bellybutton.
    So many dirty bellybuttons.
    It makes it easier for the o.r. team to clean and prep for surgery. Some times i have to use a surgical clamp to remove rock hard bellybutton lint/dirt and its nasty.

    servain Report

    #42

    We gave up our twenties and took out huge debt to care for people who sometimes demonize and disrespect us.

    The bloat in healthcare cost is administration, not doctors, nurses or other healthcare professionals salaries.

    ormdo Report

    Otto Katz
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I find it bizarre that there is a limited number of spots for medical school in the US. Like we can't just make more doctors. Even though the population is rising, the number of new doctors every year stays the same.

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    #43

    As a primary care doc I have thousands of patients to take care of, and 20+ are in-person on any given day. The patients in front of me get 100% of my attention while there. Your paperwork emergency that needs turned in tomorrow that you forgot until today and don’t have an appointment for is unpaid work for me and the last priority on my to-do list after seeing patients, verifying lab results, reviewing notes from specialists or hospital admissions, and answering other patient messages. I feel for people and I do absolutely make exceptions but your lack of planning is not my emergency when I may be dealing with people actively trying to d*e on me in my clinic.
    I’m also much less likely to do you a favor and fill it out asap if you’re rude to me or especially my front desk staff.

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    #44

    Side effects from a medication are NOT allergies to the medication.

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    Tim Douglass
    Community Member
    23 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Unfortunately there is no way to specify that you suffer severely from a particular side effect other than to list it as an allergy. I have a couple of meds that mess up my mind really badly. I'm not allergic per-se, but listing them as an allergy is the only way to avoid getting them.

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    #45

    As an Optometrist, the amount of people who think they're "legally blind" is infuriating. It doesn't matter how poor your vision is without corrective lenses. If you can see 20/20 with the aid of glasses or contacts you are no where close to being legally blind.

    thenatural134 Report

    Sue User
    Community Member
    23 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And if the best you can do with glasses is 20/60 ?

    #46

    A medical field worker, dressed in a white lab coat and stethoscope, looks stressed while working on a laptop. If you had the flu last week don’t come to emergency, you are wasting everyone’s time.

    inGothWeTrustalways , The Yuri Arcurs Collection Report

    PawCamp
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not to be a jerk, but I thought if you had a flu that lasted over a week you were to go to urgent care/emergency?

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    #47

    An older medical field worker shrugging with a stethoscope, conveying the challenges and frustrations medical workers encounter. We can't solve all your problems.

    Embarrassed_Syrup476 , Tima Miroshnichenko Report

    #48

    A medical field worker in scrubs and a mask using a stamp on documents, showing administrative tasks. I really need you to have all your paperwork filled out. It is absolutely necessary for me to have an updated HIPAA compliance form on hand in case I have to speak with your family members.

    pigmunk , https://kaboompics.com/ Report

    Papa
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not always. When I go to my dermatologist for my yearly checkup they hand me a form to fill out about my medical history and current symptoms, but if I get called back to see the doctor before I'm finished with it doesn't get finished, and he doesn't look at it anyway. I believe it's just to keep people busy so they don't get impatient in the waiting room.

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    #49

    That the few hours it takes to get lab results in the ER *is* expedited. It still takes time to run the tests.

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    #50

    Psych NP - m*******a is a lot more risky and dangerous than many people know.

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    #51

    If you come to the hospital for a specific problem that is what we are going to focus on. We are not diving into every ailment you have.

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    Becca not Becky
    Community Member
    20 hours ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Eh, depends. If it is relevant or medically significant, then yes. But if in doubt, just bring it up and err on the side of caution

    #52

    As a previous registration staff member in an ER, we don’t want you to have to sit in the waiting room for hours, either. Chances are if you’re sitting there that long, you don’t need to be seen in the ER and could have/should have gone to an Urgent Care or your PCP. If someone got there after you but is called before you, you should feel bad for them not angry, because it means whatever their ailment is, it’s worse than yours. Also, if you come in on the ambulance for tooth pain? Yeah, we’re wheeling you right out to the waiting room.

    Repulsive-Isopod3045 Report

    Geoffrey Scott
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have called my PCP and they generally will shoe-horn you in.

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    #53

    1 - My job is educated guessing. Especially true of you came to me instead of going to the specialist like you were told to see multiple times previously. Going to the ER multiple times for the same chronic problem is going to get you the same result. My job isn’t to diagnose all your conditions. It’s to keep you alive until your next doctor’s appointment, whether that’s in the hospital or as an outpatient.

    2 - Stop lying. I really don’t care about any of your unhealthy life choices, but I can’t help you if you don’t actually tell me what’s going on.

    sailphish Report

    #54

    That 99+% of the times people say they “woke up during anesthesia”, they were not actually under general anesthesia but rather receiving light sedation for minor procedures like colonoscopies or those performed with local anesthetics where sedation is given more as a courtesy than anything else. 

    If a patient is not getting a breathing tube put in for a procedure, it’s unsafe for the anesthesiologist to give them enough medication to guarantee they won’t wake up or remember anything 100% of the time. The possibility of waking up is the trade off for not getting a breathing tube and the risks that come with it. .

    CremasterReflex Report

    #55

    Paramedics are not taxi drivers.

    charlie_1122_ Report

    #56

    Please do not eat before a scheduled surgery. It’s going to make both of our days longer and possibly even reschedule your surgery.

    Rich-Reception2142 Report

    Geoffrey Scott
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ...and could be fatal if you aspirate your stomach contents.

    #57

    An empty hospital room with multiple beds, representing the environment medical field workers operate in. This ain’t a d**n hotel and we’re not your waiter. Your insurance does not entitle you to anything other than medical care. People think the hospital should be like The Hilton.

    T-WrecksArms , supplier gorden ready stok minimalis Report

    BarkingSquirell
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I get this but everyone is entitled to a sandwich and juice plus a blanket.

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    #58

    99% of patient complaints are due to insurance and medical profiteering. The person actually providing you care has little control over it. This even includes the nurse or doc who was less than friendly. You'd be stunned by the bs they deal with. Sometimes being gruff is just a defense against a system that grinds them down right along with their patients.

    MyAuraIsDumpsterFire Report

    #59

    We can keep you alive past the point anyone would want to be alive. Please consider that when you say do everything for your family.

    riseagainsttheend Report

    Geoffrey Scott
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My MIL, who was sedentary, smoked Marlboro's a lot, drank coke/coffee exclusively, was taken to the hospital with extreme shortness of breath. The attending came in and said she was resting well and the best that would happen is she would be brought back to baseline. Me: "So she will essentially be in the same shape she was when she arrived"..."correct". My wife, after I explained it to her was resigned, her sisters, not so much.

    #60

    Introverts are also attracted to the medical field. We do care. We are intrigued by our field. Sometimes, we're just socially burnt out, and our brain isn't processing excessive casual conversation. It's not you (usually). We're not mad or sad. We're just tired, especially if we've been picking up overtime. We will bounce back... After posting up with dogs and books in total silence for a minute.

    Available_Kale3019 Report

    #61

    Pharmacy technician here. People need to know more about their own medications. You’d be surprised how many people don’t even know the bare minimum such as what the medication is called, what it’s for, and who prescribed it.

    Also, people don’t understand that the primary roll of the pharmacy is to keep you safe. The pharmacy is not the “put the fries in the bag” kind of place that even some prescribers think it is.

    GreyHorse_BlueDragon Report

    Daya
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My MIL.... Once she told me her doctor had prescribed her a new pill. I asked her for what and what the name ist. Her answer? She doesn't know what for and she doesn't know the name because she already put the box in the cupboard, but they are round and white and hard to swallow and she tried to... (the following is a precise description of her experiments to make the swalloing easier for her).

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    #62

    I am a non clinical person in the medical field, and I need patients to understand that what the doctor says about "seeing you back" and when to expect your testing, is a shot in the dark. They say whatever they want not knowing they're totally booked for 6 months, or that certain tests only run on certain days, at certain times, etc. Making us the purveyors of bad news, explaining to patients the reality of their schedules.

    IckaBrat Report

    Marnie
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's sad, but good to know. I would guess this varies a lot from country to country.

    #63

    Psychiatrist. Please stop asking for GeneSight testing. Despite what your friend/family member/coworker/primary care NP told you, it is not a test that will tell us exactly what medication will work for you. In fact, the information has very little to do with what medication will or won't work. It tells us how your liver enzymes metabolize different medications, and that mostly has implications for dosing, not efficacy. There are only a few use cases where getting GeneSight testing is helpful, and when we hit one of those use cases I will suggest it myself.

    RurouniKarly Report

    Rosecat
    Community Member
    5 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My psychiatrist could only tell me that if this medication doesn't work or gives ne dangerous side effects, we will either adjust the dose or try a different one.

    #64

    In maternity - 97% of the time your birth plan isn’t going to be how your birth plays out. We try our best but there’s a reason that pregnancy & birth is no longer a d***h sentence: because interventions exist

    Also, after being a midwife for 5 years I’m yet to meet a midwife who doesn’t have best intentions at heart, we’re not out to cause trauma or create a bad experience.

    M0livia Report

    #65

    "I'll wait until it's a problem."

    When it becomes a problem, the diagnostics are riskier to perform and it's a less treatable condition.

    DuxRomanorumSum Report

    Fire Singer
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Agreed, but sometimes insurance won't pay for it until it's a problem. Sometimes you can't get time off work until it's a problem. Sometimes even doctors won't do anything until it's a problem (not all of course).

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    #66

    ER nurse here…we can’t fix the decades of damage you have done to your body in one day so please don’t take it out on me!

    chacha219 Report

    #67

    I’m not your maid/babysitter/housekeeper.
    You are not my only patient, so I am not on standby to take care of only you.

    Plant_mac Report

    #68

    If I remember you, it’s bad. It’s a compliment if I see you again and don’t recognize you. (Ironically, I work in anesthesia).

    ThereGoesTheSquash Report

    #69

    Nurse here. Sometimes there is no cure for your condition. The best we can offer is a treatment and even then, sometimes treatments don’t always work.

    ioanaam418 Report

    #70

    That I’m only going to care as much as you care and not an ounce more.. maybe I’m a bitter at this but we’re sick of putting more effort in your life than you do your own.

    Upbeat_Function_3852 Report

    #71

    That I’m trying my best.

    petiterouge13 Report

    #72

    Do your bowel clean out correctly. The next in the biopsy procedure is pathology and we can't do our job right if you don't.

    Living-Pomegranate37 Report

    #73

    If I’m running behind, I’m frustrated too. It’s either because I needed to spend more time for something urgent or people before you showed up late.

    sergantsnipes05 Report

    Fire Singer
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I get this, I really do, but if you're running late (and not because I've shown up late myself) a quick pop in from a nurse or literally anyone in the office saying "Sorry the doctors running late it'll be approximately X minutes, can you wait or do you need to reschedule?" Would be nice.

    #74

    THE ER IS NOT YOUR PCP.

    TowerOfPowerWow Report

    Geoffrey Scott
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In the US many do not HAVE a PCP. Urgent care or, last resort, ER is the care used.

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    #75

    We don't get paid near as much as you think. Medicare has cut down reimbursement every year since early 2000's. It's nearly impossible to own and run a private practice. People want dedicated care and expect it to be free and easy. It's extremely difficult to meet patient expectations when we are having to see significantly more patients to afford our practice. We are rushed, pressured, and burn out is strong - 6 years into practice.

    OscarMike6969 Report