Doctor who does not know where Nicaragua is

[deleted1098639]

How would you feel if a doctor who supposed to give you all the necessary shots for upcoming Nicaragua trip suddenly asks: " where is Nicaragua? In East Asia ? "
I was in 9th grade at that time and I froze in my chair. I was not feeling comfortable giving my arm to her. It was very first time I met her.

she is still my primary doctor and have great relationship with her. In high school I could not go over my initial " disbelieve". Now It does not bother me at all.

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[lanzhou_lamian]

Wouldn't bother me at all. Maybe she doesn't travel much. Or isn't great at geography. Or just doesn't care. You don't need to know where Nicaragua is to be a doctor.

 

[doomer_md]

"Oh you want be a doctor? Name every third world country." - OP probably

 

[LizzyM]

How would you feel if a doctor who supposed to give you all the necessary shots for upcoming Nicaragua trip suddenly asks: " where is Nicaragua? In East Asia ? "
I was in 9th grade at that time and I froze in my chair. I was not feeling comfortable giving my arm to her.

I hope that this is not part of an essay you are submitting.

 

[deleted1084643]

Survey Reveals Geographic Illiteracy

The National Geographic-Roper 2002 Global Geographic Literacy Survey polled more than 3,000 18- to 24-year-olds in Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Sweden and the United States.

About 11 percent of young citizens of the U.S. couldn't even locate the U.S. on a map. The Pacific Ocean's location was a mystery to 29 percent; Japan, to 58 percent; France, to 65 percent; and the United Kingdom, to 69 percent.

Is winning the geography bee in 6th grade a good topic for my diversity essay?

 

[deleted1098639]

I hope that this is not part of an essay you are submitting.

Of course not

 

[ontiquicuo]

I know a doctor who among his many framed diplomas, board certifications, and professional designations on his office wall has a proudly displayed yellowing hand written award for good penmanship from the second grade

That's a significant accomplishment for a doctor.

 

[Calizboosted76]

Let's just say, if geography was part of the MCAT, I would 100% ended up with a 118 in that section.

 

[Goro]

How would you feel if a doctor who supposed to give you all the necessary shots for upcoming Nicaragua trip suddenly asks: " where is Nicaragua? In East Asia ? "
I was in 9th grade at that time and I froze in my chair. I was not feeling comfortable giving my arm to her. It was very first time I met her.

she is still my primary doctor and have great relationship with her. In high school I could not go over my initial " disbelieve". Now It does not bother me at all.

And your point????

 

[deleted1098639]

"Oh you want be a doctor? Name every third world country." - OP probably

Doctor should not know geography well to be a good doctor. He/she just should be aware that every word you say in front of a patient (even not related to medicine) is important. You as a doctor are held to higher standarts,you have "higher bar to cross" to get the trust from your patient.
She is still my doctor, very nice lady, but it took me almost six years to get over my initial "shock"

 

[Goro]

Doctor should not know geography well to be a good doctor. He/she just should be aware that every word you say in front of a patient (even not related to medicine) is important. You as a doctor are held to higher standarts,you have "higher bar to cross" to get the trust from your patient.
She is still my doctor, very nice lady, but it took me almost six years to get over my initial "shock"

Don't put doctors on pedestals.

 

[Calizboosted76]

Doctor should not know geography well to be a good doctor. He/she just should be aware that every word you say in front of a patient (even not related to medicine) is important. You as a doctor are held to higher standarts,you have "higher bar to cross" to get the trust from your patient.
She is still my doctor, very nice lady, but it took me almost six years to get over my initial "shock"

I hope that length of time doesn't transition to when a patient discloses information to you that you will find shocking. Sometimes we are to quick to judge someone when in reality we should enlighten them with the knowledge that they are asking for. She asked where it was at so she was curious. Maybe she knew every other geographical region other than that and she wanted to add the knowledge you could have given her to her repertoire.

 

[deleted1098639]

Don't put doctors on pedestals.

I think that is my problem, I do

 

[Moko]

I can't tell you where most states are on the map, but thankfully our physiology is the same regardless of whether we hail from the chef hat state or the boots state.

 

[candbgirl]

How would you feel if a doctor who supposed to give you all the necessary shots for upcoming Nicaragua trip suddenly asks: " where is Nicaragua? In East Asia ? "
I was in 9th grade at that time and I froze in my chair. I was not feeling comfortable giving my arm to her. It was very first time I met her.

she is still my primary doctor and have great relationship with her. In high school I could not go over my initial " disbelieve". Now It does not bother me at all.

Then why even start this thread? There are some countries I’ve been to that I’d most likely have a hard time finding on a map or globe. I know generally but immediate specificity not so much. Stuff like that isn’t important. As you have said you have gotten good care and have a good relationship. That’s all that matters.

 

[lanzhou_lamian]

She is still my doctor, very nice lady, but it took me almost six years to get over my initial "shock"

I think that's more of an issue with you, not her...

Knowing the location of Nicaragua is just a random fact that you happen to know. For some reason you seem to think it's a particularly important random fact but it's not. I'm sure she knows a ton of random facts that you don't.

 

[yokiguz]

I was thinking please be in Central America. Procrastinating by playing Sporcle countries of the world quiz does come in handy sometimes... I guess.

 

[Bored_Conscious]

I think that is my problem, I do

Don't feel ashamed OP! I also hold doctors to an unattainable standard. If my doctors drink, smoke, take bikini photos, cuss, don't know the scientific name of a Tiger Shark, or know the name of my great-great-great grandfather they have failed. I, too, would hold it against my doctor for 6 years. Maybe even longer!

 

[Bored_Conscious]

Doctor should not know geography well to be a good doctor. He/she just should be aware that every word you say in front of a patient (even not related to medicine) is important. You as a doctor are held to higher standarts,you have "higher bar to cross" to get the trust from your patient.
She is still my doctor, very nice lady, but it took me almost six years to get over my initial "shock"

I dislike when people put physicians on a pedestal. It really irks me. So, I want to give a more productive response rather than my sarcasm laden response above.

Doctors are human FIRST and physicians SECOND. You don't have to be a "perfect" human being in order to gain the respect of your patient. As a physician, their responsibility is to your well-being and not being proficient in another area of knowledge shouldn't diminish the amount of trust that a patient has toward their doctor. As long as professional boundaries are being maintained, a physician should be able to live a normal human life and participate in activities that they enjoy and get satisfaction out of.

This post reminds me of when there was some controversy regarding physicians posting themselves on social media in a bikini. This is outrageous. As pre-meds, medical students, residents, and attendees I think there is a need to remind ourselves and the general public that we are simply human.

Lastly, I just want to add, having a doctor that comes across as more "human" with hobbies and the ability to admit that they are wrong or ill-informed instills more trust in me as their patient than a doctor that is always right. A specialist that I frequent always acknowledges her lack of knowledge and willingness to collaborate with physicians and other specialist and that instills a lot of trust for me as a patient. I am truly grateful to have a physician who acknowledges their limits and expresses an interest to learn and collaborate.

 

[Styrene]

Doctor should not know geography well to be a good doctor. He/she just should be aware that every word you say in front of a patient (even not related to medicine) is important. You as a doctor are held to higher standarts,you have "higher bar to cross" to get the trust from your patient.
She is still my doctor, very nice lady, but it took me almost six years to get over my initial "shock"

Six years? You'll have to be at least a bit more understanding to get through this whole process. You'll see some stuff, both colleagues and patients.

 

[deleted1079620]

Doctor should not know geography well to be a good doctor. He/she just should be aware that every word you say in front of a patient (even not related to medicine) is important. You as a doctor are held to higher standarts,you have "higher bar to cross" to get the trust from your patient.
She is still my doctor, very nice lady, but it took me almost six years to get over my initial "shock"

The doctor may have been very aware of the importance of every word. Asking for the general region a country is in would change what shots you might have needed. In asking this question, the doctor may have just been looking to verify that you were getting everything you needed to travel safely. You (at 15) made the assumption that he/she was lacking in some way.

 

[Ganon]

Gr8 B8 M8 I R8 8/8

 

[Dral]

Even though you were in 9th grade, she was totally just MSE-ing you.

"Patient is A and O x5"

 

[Princeton Medical Student]

Fun fact doctors are allowed to be dumb.

 

[Goro]

Fun fact doctors are allowed to be dumb.

Definite evidence of that in the SPF!

 

[KnuxNole]

Honestly, most individuals could barely name more than 5 countries in South America, Africa. There are people that can't name any countries in Eastern Europe, or Middle Eastern countries in Asia. There isn't anything wrong with this, it's just the reality. Hell, I would probably fail a high school geography test.

Geography class is usually in high school, where people forget 95% of the **** they learn. Physicians arent exclusive to this.

 

[LizzyM]

Before the pandemic, travel clinics had an alphabetical listing of countries and the shots needed for each one according to public health experts. You just needed to know the alphabet to find the country and determine the vaccines, medications and guidance needed. More likely than not, the physician didn't need to know where the country was located and was just making conversation and trying to educate herself on things they don't teach in med school.

 

[wholeheartedly]

Honestly, after over a decade working in healthcare, one of the most important traits you can have is being able to admit you don’t know something (and then be willing to learn).

 

[YCAGA]

This is a very good essay topic and you will likely receive double digit interviews if you focus your personal statement on this story. We need more self-righteous doctors who know the second most populous city and its mayor of every third-world country.

(You are welcome everyone else applying this cycle)

 

[amath03]

This is a very good essay topic and you will likely receive double digit interviews if you focus your personal statement on this story. We need more self-righteous doctors who know the second most populous city and its mayor of every third-world country.

(You are welcome everyone else applying this cycle)

Calling a country a “third world country” is generally not appropriate, and gives of xenophobic vibes. It is usually more appropriate to use terms such as “developing nation”, or for a country like Nicaragua that is in Central America, “Global South”.

 

[YCAGA]

Calling a country a “third world country” is generally not appropriate, and gives of xenophobic vibes. It is usually more appropriate to use terms such as “developing nation”, or for a country like Nicaragua that is in Central America, “Global South”.

 

[yokiguz]

C'mon folks: Memo To People Of Earth: 'Third World' Is An Offensive Term!

 

[Calizboosted76]

C'mon guys: Memo To People Of Earth: 'Third World' Is An Offensive Term!

I'm offended you just called us guys. You should use the term people.

 

[yokiguz]

I'm offended you just called us guys. You should use the term people.

Edited it for you.

 

[Calizboosted76]

Edited it for you.

Side note, Im a guy and I was totally being sarcastic just in case anyone takes that comment seriously. lmfao

 

[YCAGA]

Calling a country a “third world country” is generally not appropriate, and gives of xenophobic vibes. It is usually more appropriate to use terms such as “developing nation”, or for a country like Nicaragua that is in Central America, “Global South”.

But seriously, do you realize how silly you sound? The "Global South" refers to pretty much countries that were not in NATO or the Warsaw Pact. You know what you can also call that list of countries? "The Third World."

Might wanna understand the history involved before you fall off your high horse.

(Global south = red)

Oh and the countries that used to be in the “first and second world” but got moved to “Global South.” Yeah those countries are the ones without many white people (many Southern African countries and China), and the only countries not in the “global south” but still in the Southern hemisphere/not in NATO/Warsaw are either very white (Australia and NZ) or colonized by the American military (S Korea and Japan). Not great look for you if you are going for a more politically correct classification🤡

 

[amath03]

But seriously, do you realize how silly you sound? The "Global South" refers to pretty much countries that were not in NATO or the Warsaw Pact. You know what you can also call that list of countries? "The Third World."

Might wanna understand the history involved before you fall off your high horse.

(Global south = red)

Oh and the countries that used to be in the “first and second world” but got moved to “Global South.” Yeah those countries are the ones without many white people (many Southern African countries and China), and the only countries not in the “global south” but still in the Southern hemisphere/not in NATO/Warsaw are either very white (Australia and NZ) or colonized by the American military (S Korea and Japan). Not great look for you if you are going for a more politically correct classification🤡

Oh ok thank you for that.

 

[LizzyM]

Just avoid using the former president's description....

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/wh...ti-african-countries-****hole-nations-n836946

 

[wholeheartedly]

I'm in public health and we usually use the term resource limited settings or LMICs (low and middle income countries)