Voicemail

[mattersofscience]

"This is the inbox of Dr. Charles Saville. Leave a message, and I'll return your call at earliest convenience. Thank you."

Comments

[mattersofscience]

Practically-speaking, no, there isn't a need for patients to be aware Marie is a machine, or I'm a vampire, if it gets in the way of their care. If a patient comes into the hospital and needs immediate care, I'm not going to take the time to introduce myself as a vampire before attending to them.

Wholistically-speaking, when we're able, if we want to create a relationship with a patient and gain their trust so they'll continue coming back, we can't do that by lying to them about whom, or what we are.

That doesn't mean I think we need to give patients every detail about our lives, but where it includes something people might be afraid of, or have no experience with? That could create issues if those facts are discovered, or personally revealed, later? There's little harm in being upfront about things like that where, and when, we can.

[pathologise]

i'm not sure i'm going to agree with you
but i also probably would have been afraid of you being my doctor when i first got here
not 100% but something

[mattersofscience]

We don't have to agree, Adrienne. This isn't a matter of hospital policy, it comes down to what we each think is right, and acting on that.

If you think it's for the better not to tell patients about myself or Marie, I respect that, and won't hold it against you if you don't.

Our lives would be easier if they were, but people aren't a science. All we can do with them, or for them, is what we think is best.