Do you ever correct people about medical stuff?

Nrsasrus, ASN, RN · Jan 27, 2013

I only ever correct the term "stomach flu."

This one really bugs me for some reason! :roflmao:

mariebailey, MSN, RN · Jan 27, 2013

I correct annoying people who think they know everything all the time. If it's someone I like, I let it slide. :sneaky:

NurseDirtyBird · Jan 27, 2013

Ooh, the "stomach flu," that one drives me crazy! I'm so sick of correcting this, I gave up. I just cluck and say "poor thing," and scream inside my head.

I was at a party once when people were talking about jaw problems. Somebody said, "What does TMJ stand for?" Some guy was making all kinds of ridiculous guesses like, "Probably something in Latin so regular people think the doctors sound smart." I piped up and said, "It's the name of the joint. And it's actually TMJD." The guy smirked and said, "What, you think you're a health provider or something?" My awesome husband said, "Uh, she's a nurse." I left shortly after because that was far from the stupidest conversation happening there and I couldn't take it anymore.

Lesson learned. Now I only correct egregious errors that are safety issues.

OCNRN63, RN · Jan 28, 2013

I'm not talking about patient education, I'm just talking about general conversation. I hear people get things wrong medically all the time, but I rarely correct people. For example, a relative said the other day that she thought her mother just had a kidney infection but then "We found out it was E. Coli! :nailbiting:" I didn't have the heart to tell her we all have E. coli in our guts and most kidney infections are E. coli.
I have a patient who also goes to my church. He tells everyone he has bladder cancer. He really has prostate cancer with mets to the bladder. This happens a lot with "bone" and "liver" cancer as well. I hear people say "so and so" had breast cancer and now they have "bone" cancer. Well, they most likely have bone mets, not bone cancer.
Normally, unless the person is seeking information from me or I'm in the clinical setting, I just keep my mouth shut. I figure I don't want to be an obnoxious know-it-all and, since I don't know the whole situation, I don't have all the facts.
What about you?

Rarely. Most of the time it isn't worth the migraine, and they'll just disagree with you. Unless it's something that could affect their well-being, I usually try to just let it go. You're probably not going to change their mind, and like a PP said, they'll probably think you're being a show-off. (I had someone accuse me of showing off when I went to church one evening and absentmindedly forgot to take off my ID badge.)

smrauch · Jan 28, 2013

I usually do only when it comes to peds

tokmom, BSN, RN · Jan 28, 2013

Only if it concerns children and if there could be a bad outcome. If I'm really confused and looking for clarification I might correct but very mildly.

I'm not going to correct people when they use layman's terms, just like the mechanic doesn't correct me when I use wrong terminology.

If we are on the same page and understand either other, then it's all good.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Jan 28, 2013

I correct my mother and sometimes my friends. Strangers not so much.

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 28, 2013

I only get upset about the difference between Type 1 and 2 diabetes. I have a child with T1 and constantly have to explain. Also we had a pt this week, an older person who had T1 there whole life. I had to educate the whole facility about how to treat this pt.

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Jan 28, 2013

I only get upset about the difference between Type 1 and 2 diabetes. I have a child with T1 and constantly have to explain. Also we had a pt this week an older person who had T1 there whole life. I had to educate the whole facility about how to treat this pt.[/quote']
The fact that your co-workers do not understand the difference is unfortunate. While I don't expect laypeople to understand the difference I expect more of nurses.

bagola22 · Jan 28, 2013

haha..I do when people call it a "respirator" haha oldskool

evolvingrn, BSN, RN · Jan 28, 2013

I'm not talking about patient education, I'm just talking about general conversation. I hear people get things wrong medically all the time, but I rarely correct people. For example, a relative said the other day that she thought her mother just had a kidney infection but then "We found out it was E. Coli! :nailbiting:" I didn't have the heart to tell her we all have E. coli in our guts and most kidney infections are E. coli.
I have a patient who also goes to my church. He tells everyone he has bladder cancer. He really has prostate cancer with mets to the bladder. This happens a lot with "bone" and "liver" cancer as well. I hear people say "so and so" had breast cancer and now they have "bone" cancer. Well, they most likely have bone mets, not bone cancer.
Normally, unless the person is seeking information from me or I'm in the clinical setting, I just keep my mouth shut. I figure I don't want to be an obnoxious know-it-all and, since I don't know the whole situation, I don't have all the facts.
What about you?

I would never correct someone about mets. they DO have bladder cancer and they do have bone cancer. its not necessary that they are perfect in pathophysiology . kwim? If someone ask me for advice then i will certainly support them but i generally just listen and don't correct if asked.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jan 28, 2013

For the most part I would mind my own business. You should not be giving out medical advice. I do correct immediate family if necessary....but most of the time I mind my own business.

Even when asked you will find that most people will defend their own MD/PCP to the very end. I will state medical information and add "In my experience" and advise that they can always seek a second opinion if they aren't comfortable.