Comments on: The power of a doctor’s choice of words in explaining CPR http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2010/02/power-doctors-choice-words-explaining-cpr.html Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:14:00 +0000 hourly 1 By: Janice Campbell MAc, LAc, ADShttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2010/02/power-doctors-choice-words-explaining-cpr.html#comment-125414 Janice Campbell MAc, LAc, ADS Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:06:13 +0000 http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/?p=42409#comment-125414 I am a licensed acupuncturist and a graduate of the Master's program at the Tai Sophia Institute (www.tai.edu) where we were taught that "words are needles". A poetic phrase, and yet, it's true. What we say and how we say it can affect someone quite strongly on a physical level - raising blood pressure, releasing hormones, affecting homeostasis. And we were taught to use words first and then physical needles to move energy and promote health.It's wonderful to hear folks in traditional western medicine talking about this too. There has actually been a partnership between the Tai Sophia Institute and the University of Pennsylvania's medical school to teach just these skills to their med students. (I believe it's an elective at this point.)We are all treating the whole person. It's impossible not to. That's why I prefer the term "complementary" rather than "alternative". The more we can share knowledge and learn from each other, the better off we'll all be.Thank you for this discussion. I am a licensed acupuncturist and a graduate of the Master’s program at the Tai Sophia Institute (www.tai.edu) where we were taught that “words are needles”. A poetic phrase, and yet, it’s true. What we say and how we say it can affect someone quite strongly on a physical level – raising blood pressure, releasing hormones, affecting homeostasis. And we were taught to use words first and then physical needles to move energy and promote health.

It’s wonderful to hear folks in traditional western medicine talking about this too. There has actually been a partnership between the Tai Sophia Institute and the University of Pennsylvania’s medical school to teach just these skills to their med students. (I believe it’s an elective at this point.)

We are all treating the whole person. It’s impossible not to. That’s why I prefer the term “complementary” rather than “alternative”. The more we can share knowledge and learn from each other, the better off we’ll all be.

Thank you for this discussion.

]]> By: LJThttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2010/02/power-doctors-choice-words-explaining-cpr.html#comment-124981 LJT Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:10:47 +0000 http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/?p=42409#comment-124981 >>“Would you like us to restart your heart if it stopped beating?” (Please say yes) (I’m just asking as a formality)>>I've never been asked this question, even when I had a minor surgery a few years ago. I spoke up for myself when it wasn't asked and said: no.I could tell this really bothered my physician. I'm young. But I know what exactly what the alternative to DNR means, and I know that's not what I want. It also bothered me that an assumption was made by my physician simply because I'm young and reasonably healthy. >>“Would you like us to restart your heart if it stopped beating?” (Please say yes) (I’m just asking as a formality)>>

I’ve never been asked this question, even when I had a minor surgery a few years ago. I spoke up for myself when it wasn’t asked and said: no.

I could tell this really bothered my physician. I’m young. But I know what exactly what the alternative to DNR means, and I know that’s not what I want. It also bothered me that an assumption was made by my physician simply because I’m young and reasonably healthy.

]]> By: www.realicu.comhttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2010/02/power-doctors-choice-words-explaining-cpr.html#comment-124975 www.realicu.com Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:59:47 +0000 http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/?p=42409#comment-124975 The words we chose when asking the question about the code status could have a significant impact on the patient’s response. Sometimes, I am trying to “direct” the patient to an answer which seems most appropriate. Is it ethical or not? I think it is our responsibility to help the patient make that disicion. The words we chose when asking the question about the code status could have a significant impact on the patient’s response. Sometimes, I am trying to “direct” the patient to an answer which seems most appropriate. Is it ethical or not? I think it is our responsibility to help the patient make that disicion.

]]> By: Dockjhttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2010/02/power-doctors-choice-words-explaining-cpr.html#comment-124923 Dockj Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:53:55 +0000 http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/?p=42409#comment-124923 Anyone who says that classical rhetoric is lost has not been anywhere near a hospital ICU. Ethos. Pathos. Logos. We influence decisions, regardless of how pure we think our presentation of the options are. Anyone who says that classical rhetoric is lost has not been anywhere near a hospital ICU. Ethos. Pathos. Logos. We influence decisions, regardless of how pure we think our presentation of the options are.

]]> By: Ed Pullenhttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2010/02/power-doctors-choice-words-explaining-cpr.html#comment-124922 Ed Pullen Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:27:28 +0000 http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/?p=42409#comment-124922 Nice example of the influence, hopefully not undue, that we have in many aspects of our treatment of patients. PSA testing: Do you want a test that can diagnose prostate cancer at an early stage? ( of course you do) or Do you want a test that may find you have prostate cancer but has not been shown to improve your quality of life or extend your life, rather may just tell you that you have cancer, and may lead to treatment that will likely make you impotent. (why would you want this?) I agree words have power, and the ones we choose in far less emotional choices that these have great influence on our patients. Nice example of the influence, hopefully not undue, that we have in many aspects of our treatment of patients. PSA testing: Do you want a test that can diagnose prostate cancer at an early stage? ( of course you do) or Do you want a test that may find you have prostate cancer but has not been shown to improve your quality of life or extend your life, rather may just tell you that you have cancer, and may lead to treatment that will likely make you impotent. (why would you want this?) I agree words have power, and the ones we choose in far less emotional choices that these have great influence on our patients.

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