Respond to a post of a colleague who was assigned a different patient than you. Critique your colleague’s targeted questions and explain how the patient might interpret these questions. Explain whether any of the questions would apply to your patient, and why.
ATTACHED IS A FILE THAT CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING TO ASSIST WITH THIS QUESTION
- the post question
- my colleagues assigned patient and targeted questions
- my assigned patient
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
In the medical profession, asking appropriate and sensitive questions is crucial in identifying and treating health concerns. Hence, it is important to evaluate the questions to ensure they are non-judgmental and do not offend the patient. In this response, I will critique my colleague’s targeted questions and explain how the patient might interpret these questions. I will also discuss whether any of these questions would apply to my assigned patient and why.
Critique of Colleague’s Targeted Questions
My colleague’s targeted questions are specific to the patient’s medical condition, symptoms, and lifestyle habits. While these questions are important, some of them could potentially offend the patient. For example, one of the questions asked is, “Do you have a history of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?” This question could make the patient feel uncomfortable and may seem judgmental, suggesting promiscuous behavior.
Some of the questions are phrased in a negative manner, which could potentially offend the patient. For instance, the question, “Do you smoke?” could be rephrased as “Do you use tobacco products?” to avoid sounding judgmental.
Interpretation of Questions by Patient
Patients could interpret questions in different ways, depending on their cultural and social backgrounds. Some patients may feel embarrassed or uncomfortable when asked about sexual health, drug use or alcohol consumption. Patients may also feel judged depending on how the questions are phrased.
The patient may interpret the question “Do you smoke?” as a personal attack on their lifestyle choices or an insult to their intelligence, assuming they are unaware of the health risks associated with smoking.
Application of Questions to My Assigned Patient
Some of the questions asked by my colleague could be relevant to my assigned patient. For instance, the question “Do you have a history of heart disease in your family?” would be appropriate to ask my patient. This question can help identify potential genetic risks and determine a course of action for prevention.
However, questions related to sexual health may not be applicable to my assigned patient, who might be a pediatric patient with non-sexual health concerns such as asthma or allergies. Hence, it is vital to ensure that the questions are tailored to the patient’s specific medical concerns.
Conclusion
In conclusion, sensitive and targeted questions are essential in identifying and treating medical conditions. It is vital to ensure that the questions are non-judgmental and non-offensive to the patient. As medical professionals, we must be culturally sensitive and tailor the questions to the patient’s specific medical concerns to provide the best possible care.
