Why can't they get it?

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JennyB

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Hi everyone!

I want to share something that happened yesterday without going into too much detail. I am not too sure where this best fits. If it isn't here, mods - please feel free to relocate!

I have been sick for the past week and in and out of the hospital. I have an infection in my uterus and antibiotics will clear it up so it isn't a big deal. On Monday I had my initial visit to the ER and they did a full pelvic exam, blood work, etc. I was put on antibiotics and sent home. Then I was allergic to those antibiotics and went back to the hospital, got new ones, was allergic to those and went back again, I was treated for the reaction and sent home and told to go again the next day for new medication.

I went back on Thursday and this time there was no interpreter available. They tried to get an interpreter but there wasn't anyone. I needed the medication and we went ahead anyway writing notes. They said they had to do another pelvic exam and I initially said no. I eventually gave consent to a bimanual exam, no speculum. The doctor started and it was painful. I started to cry and I was voicing "stop! Stop! Stop!" but the doctor kept going. I started signing "STOP" too, but that didn't help either. The doctor couldn't understand me and I was extremely upset by this. I was still crying when I left the office.

Long story but I ended up speaking with police later that night. The police were clueless. They didn't understand how to work with an interpreter. They didn't understand that the interpreter who had been going for almost 6 hours alone had to switch out (but the terp stood up for herself) and when they did switch out they were completely unaware of the interpreters role and how it all worked. They had no idea that Deaf Culture existed. Honestly, how little they knew blew me away.

I guess I just got another lesson in the value of effective communication. So did others. I will say that I learned something from it and that is that unless I am absolutely dying I will not accept medical treatment again without an interpreter! I am also making it my mission to educate the community and municipal services. It still baffles me to this day that some people just don't get it. They don't get us. If they treated another minority group the same way there would be consequences. I just don't get it.
 
Sorry to hear what you went through. What I don't get though, even if the doctor didn't hear that you were in pain, couldn't they see your facial expression or body language?

Perhaps if you see a doctor again, you should tell them about your bad experience so that they can be prepared?

I also work in a hospital. And, we also have issues when booking interpreters late - not just deaf interpreters (which is extremely rare), but also language interpreters. It seems that a lot of hospitals don't have their own "in-house" interpreting services.

As for the police... Yeah, you would think that they would have some understanding how interpreters work. I guess they learnt something that night.

Anyway, I hope you are feeling better now.
 
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:hug: It's a shame that none of the doctors were able to decipher your facial expression. Even my doctor can read it even though I am completely hearing and able to express myself verbally :roll:

I would take up omegaman's recommendation next time around! Hopefully that will inform them better and reassure you that they understand you better too!!!!
 
It makes me angry because I was I was sobbing and speaking (with my voice) "Stop!" and she just didn't. I don't care where you are from, if a patient is crying that much during an exam that isn't supposed to hurt and they are crying trying to say something you stop!Even just pause and see what's going on. Especially when the patient uses a different language and doesn't have an interpreter!
 
I dont think it is a communication barrier issue. I think the doctor was neglilent and I agree with PFH...sue.
 
Perhaps something should be designed for people who work with the public, such as hospital staff and police that they have to take... Like the classes managers have to take covering subjects like sexual harassment ... That would cover sensitivity to communication issues: Such as, but not limited to, not speaking English.
 
If you are crying and visibly upset, any good Doctor should notice that! And you were speaking, so it sounds like you made it bloody obvious you were in pain and wanted it to stop, and it was ignored.

Would you be comfortable contacting that Doctor, or a representative of the hospital, to tell them what happened? I don't know what you have in Canada, but here we have the Citizen's Advice Bureau for independent advice.

I know it's not the same, but when I had laryngitis and lost my voice, I went with my mum to see my dr and she told him what I wanted to say. It was obvious from my facial expressions what I thought of what the Dr was telling me. I have also had various procedures (dentist, piercing) where I couldn't speak, but it was obvious when I was uncomfortable due to my breathing and facial expressions, and the people would then stop/soothe me.

My sympathies are with you, it's horrible to have clueless healthcare professionals and for it to be painful must have been awful. It sounds like this is eroding your opinion of the healthcare professionals/non deaf-aware world. I don't think you should hold yourself responsible for any of this- so what if you didn't insist on an interpreter- the Dr was out of line, and even the worst healthcare professionals I have encountered make sure I'm ok and not crying when I leave their office. Most of my experience is with mental health professionals, and I'm liable to cry in appointments. Even the most abrasive ones made sure I was ok before I left the appt.

I have read a fair few of your posts, and you're intelligent, witty and 'ballsy' if I may say so- I mean in the sense that you stand up for what you believe in, and have confidence in yourself. I'm very unconfident and wish I could be like that. I think just not going unless you have a terp won't get the message across that what happened was wrong. I would definitely contact the hospital/Dr/regulatory body of some description and tell them what happened.
 
Jenny, I'm sorry that you've been so ill and that the dr treated you so badly. Sending healing thoughts your way. :hug:
 
I have a meeting next week hopefully with the doctor and several hospital administrators. The doctor has indirectly apologized (through other people) and I guess we will see what happens at this meeting.

I did insist on an interpreter, there just weren't any on short notice. I needed the new meds so I went ahead anyway...I won't do that again. Or at least I will hold off on allowing evaluations/examinations until I have a terp.
 
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