Clinical Scenario 2: Never underestimate the value of communication and demonstration when prescribing medicines.
An ophthalmologist saw a patient with an eye infection and prescribed antibiotic eye drops. Three days later, when patient returned as requested for follow-up, the ophthalmologist found no improvement in the eye. When he asked the patient whether he was using the eye drops that had been prescribed, the patient reported he was, and then added that they tasted terrible. On further questioning, the ophthalmologist learned that the patient had understood that all Western medicine was oral. He had observed that when your leg hurt, rather than prescribing a balm to rub on the leg, western doctors would prescribe a pill. His conclusion was that when you had a problem and needed medicine, you took a pill. It never occurred to the patient to put the antibiotic drops in his eye. This case again demonstrates the importance of not assuming that your patients know how to take medicine and of the value of demonstrating how the medication should be taken at home.
Andrew Cohen, DO, MPH, DME
I want to talk about the teaspoon, the pants, and the pillow. Three years ago we started printing prescription labels in Spanish, and we all patted ourselves on the back at that accomplishment. Meanwhile, it took two and a half years to figure out that a teaspoon was not the same as a teaspoon is not the same as a teaspoon. Our objects coordinator told me that many of our families only have tablespoons. And two and one-half years after treating people with three times a day medication that was running out in three or four days, I finally realized that a tablespoon was being used. And then when we changed it to a little teaspoon, I wondered if a baby spoon was used, and if they wouldn't be getting enough. |
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