Warning: this is not a strictly veterinary post
When my mom, a very medically savvy and medically educated woman, married into a family of people with a pretty low educational background, it created a new job for her. I am in no way discounting intelligence: my step father does not have a college education but I consider him to be someone that is a genius in his own right. However, her in laws (my step grandparents) have an education that tops out at 8th grade. I think they had to drop out...my step dad's mom because she had to take care of the other kids in the family and my step dad's father because he had to go to work to help with his family's bills. I don't think that the initial education was any great shakes either: think of a place where "You gotta a pretty mouth, boy" might be uttered. That is the kind of place I am talking about. My step grandmother can create a meal that will make you cry with joy. And Papaw is the kind of guy that can take parts from 20 different cars and build a vehicle that would make most people clap their hands with delight.
However, my step grandparents have a distinct lack of understanding of biology. And a lack of ability to read with comprehension much better than my 6 year old daughter. So, my mother has become the person that reads everything from warranties for appliances to information about health. Which is fine with her...that is part of being a family.
A couple of days ago, Mamaw told my mom that her doctor told her she had "Flea-bite-us" but she had no idea how this could happen: she couldn't find any fleas. The answer was of course she doesn't have fleas...she has phlebitis. Now, since neither my mother nor I was there, I have no idea if the doctor explained what he meant. I don't know if he gave handouts (though my mom usually interprets this for the inlaws). However, I do think that it illustrates things that we can all take home.
As a vet, I always make sure that my clients have oral and written information on disease processes. I give actual handouts, I give internet addresses where clients can find "vetted" information. I have given out my phone number to some clients if I know we are going into a weekend and the patient has a serious problem. And other vets that follow this site, likely do similar things. If you are a vet and you are reading this and you don't do this, start. It is not very hard to link a diagnosis in your computer system to a blurb on something....hell, take it straight from Veterinary Partner.com (please cite it). The Homeless Parrot in our side bar also has great information on diseases and terms.
If you are a non-vet reader, please ASK for an explanation from your MD/DO or DVM. Please ask for the spelling of the problem. And while you can google the information, please take all information with a grain of salt. The initial exam can often feel rushed...but if you approach your health care provider with real questions....real interest without agenda, you should be welcomed...even if they tell you they will need to look into it (NOT a sign of weakness...a sign of strength). If you are not taken seriously, find a new doctor/NP/DVM. As a doctor, I want to CURE my patients. I assume my clients will research something online. Fine... I will evaluate this and I might find it FOS or I might take it seriously...and some will be a combination of the two.
Don't be a passive doctor or nurse/tech: every question is a chance to critically evaluate why you believe and advise the things that you do. And others, don't be a passive consumer of your health. The only way for a health system to work is to be honest about the things that you don't understand. The health care providers will do a better job if you tell them what you don't understand.
As much as I initially wanted to snicker at the word "flea-bite-us," it really just makes me mad. Someone failed. And I don't think it was the woman with an 8th grade education.
