Learning a new language.... medical-ese

I think it's safe to say that everyone has heard of 'legalese' - the seemingly whole new language you need to know in order to understand anything about the law. Having had a fair few consultant appointments now, I think it's safe to say there is also 'medicalese'! 

I can't count the number of times I've come out of a consultation and googled a phrase or word that has been said in the consultation but I've not had the presence of mind or nerve to ask what it meant. This is where I think that us non-medics are faced with the challenge of not fully understanding the language of the medical world. Yes it's easy to say 'just ask if you're not sure!' but if you're anything like me then your trying to absorb what's being said at the time. Appointments can also feel very pressured in that we only have a limited amount of time to go over 101 things, especially if you've been waiting months for that single appointment. This means you try and cover as much as possible in the time given, not really giving enough time to get a full understanding. I definitely know I've followed up consultations with multiple questions to the consultants secretaries due to either not thinking to ask them or realising I've not fully understood everything... Although this is where having a copy of your follow up letter is very helpful! 

Even with the follow up letters, us non-native speakers can be faced with words and phrases we're not familiar with that can scare us into thinking things are worse than they are; for example I recently had a scan that revealed hemorrhage in my pelvic area, this sent my brain into over drive, but it turns out it can be normal for women at certain times of the month, but it can also be a sign of something else going on. I do think this is where Google can both be helpful and also not helpful in the slightest. I've definitely scared myself by googling symptoms or words mentioned when I've not known what's going on! It can also help to ease concerns too when it turns out things are quite normal... Despite this though, just asking at the source (aka your medical profession) is definitely the safest bet to help prevent unwanted health anxiety...!

Ultimately, it's down to us to be informed patients, and we can't be expected to understand everything that is being said to us in that moment. I've learned that big part of settling any anxiety is asking questions and seeking a better understanding of what's being said, even if that means a barrage of questions being sent to the consultants secretary! 

Ta ta for now! 

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