I don’t know whether or not I have ever written an entry about this topic (I can’t even check since I do not have an internet connection right now). I know I’ve thought of writing about this matter before, but then I’m not sure whether I actually did it or not. But then I figured out that it didn’t matter – if I can’t remember whether or not I’ve written about it, people most probably can’t remember reading it as well (you like my logic?).
Although all patients have 1 thing in common – they are sick (duh!), there are still significant differences between one patient and another.
Some like to talk.
Some only answer questions that you ask them.
Some want to know about their disease.
Some actually read up about their disease if they have a chance to do so.
Some couldn’t care less what you give them or do to them as long as they get better.
Some patients co-operate.
Some are compliant to their medications and treatments.
Some just want to get out of the hospital as fast as they can.
Some run to the hospital for the slightest hint of flu.
Some wait until they are half dead before actually seeking help.
There is one thing that I have noticed about most Malaysian patients (as opposed to those in Russia) that I am not very pleased about. Here’s a typical question and answer session:
Question : What medication were you given?
Malaysian patient 1: The white medicine with the letter KKM.
Malaysian patient 2: fever medicine, cough medicine, antibiotic – pink in colour.
Russian patient: Paracetamol, propanolol, nifedipine.
Do you see the difference? Most Malaysian patients don’t really care what medication they are given. They just take them without bothering to ask what is it they are given, as long as they get better. I am not just talking about those who are less learned or older generation – even those in their 20s who are proffesionals don’t know what medicine they are taking. All they know – antibiotic. There are SO MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF ANTIBIOTICS!!
Russian patients (at least what I have seen) know their medications or at least write down the name of their medication somewhere so that they can show it to the doctor if they are asked about it. I have seen a Russian patient who didn’t know what medication she was on, and after about a day in the hospital, took the effort to remember all the medications that she is being treated with. I am talking about 80 year old Russian ladies! If they can rememeber their medication, why can’t you?
It is important for a doctor to know what medication you are on. Let’s say you are a patient with hypertension – only if the doctor knows what medication and what dosage of the medication you are taking now, can they adjust it according to your needs.
Here’s another reason why it would be beneficial to you to know your medication:
You have been having fever, cough and flu for almost a week. You went to the clinic and were given an antibiotic. You finished the whole course and did not get better. You then went to the hospital. The doctor wants to start you on antibiotics but you don’t know which antibiotic you took earlier. Obviously the first antibiotic you took did not work, but then, since the doctor doesn’t know which antibiotic you were given, he/she will give you the antibiotic which they think might be the most helpful, which might even be the same one as you had taken previously. Once again, your condition doesn’t improve and then they change your antibiotics to a different kind and you get better. Wouldn’t it have been better to just have remembered which antibiotics you took earlier so that you could have been given a different kind the 2nd time around?
I’m sure all the doctors in Malaysia would agree with me regarding this matter. Please try to know what medication you are taking. If your doctor doesn’t tell you the name, ask for the name. You don’t have to memorize all the names – write it down somewhere and just bring the sheet of paper along the next time you go see a doctor. It will definitely help the doctor in doing his/her job.
Having said that, there is another thing that I would just like to say – antibiotics are NOT the answer to all diseases. Do not take antibiotics before consulting your doctor. Same symptoms does not mean same disease. Not everyone needs antibiotics. Let your doctor decide your medication.
Better still, stay healthy!! :)
09.01.09
Although all patients have 1 thing in common – they are sick (duh!), there are still significant differences between one patient and another.
Some like to talk.
Some only answer questions that you ask them.
Some want to know about their disease.
Some actually read up about their disease if they have a chance to do so.
Some couldn’t care less what you give them or do to them as long as they get better.
Some patients co-operate.
Some are compliant to their medications and treatments.
Some just want to get out of the hospital as fast as they can.
Some run to the hospital for the slightest hint of flu.
Some wait until they are half dead before actually seeking help.
There is one thing that I have noticed about most Malaysian patients (as opposed to those in Russia) that I am not very pleased about. Here’s a typical question and answer session:
Question : What medication were you given?
Malaysian patient 1: The white medicine with the letter KKM.
Malaysian patient 2: fever medicine, cough medicine, antibiotic – pink in colour.
Russian patient: Paracetamol, propanolol, nifedipine.
Do you see the difference? Most Malaysian patients don’t really care what medication they are given. They just take them without bothering to ask what is it they are given, as long as they get better. I am not just talking about those who are less learned or older generation – even those in their 20s who are proffesionals don’t know what medicine they are taking. All they know – antibiotic. There are SO MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF ANTIBIOTICS!!
Russian patients (at least what I have seen) know their medications or at least write down the name of their medication somewhere so that they can show it to the doctor if they are asked about it. I have seen a Russian patient who didn’t know what medication she was on, and after about a day in the hospital, took the effort to remember all the medications that she is being treated with. I am talking about 80 year old Russian ladies! If they can rememeber their medication, why can’t you?
It is important for a doctor to know what medication you are on. Let’s say you are a patient with hypertension – only if the doctor knows what medication and what dosage of the medication you are taking now, can they adjust it according to your needs.
Here’s another reason why it would be beneficial to you to know your medication:
You have been having fever, cough and flu for almost a week. You went to the clinic and were given an antibiotic. You finished the whole course and did not get better. You then went to the hospital. The doctor wants to start you on antibiotics but you don’t know which antibiotic you took earlier. Obviously the first antibiotic you took did not work, but then, since the doctor doesn’t know which antibiotic you were given, he/she will give you the antibiotic which they think might be the most helpful, which might even be the same one as you had taken previously. Once again, your condition doesn’t improve and then they change your antibiotics to a different kind and you get better. Wouldn’t it have been better to just have remembered which antibiotics you took earlier so that you could have been given a different kind the 2nd time around?
I’m sure all the doctors in Malaysia would agree with me regarding this matter. Please try to know what medication you are taking. If your doctor doesn’t tell you the name, ask for the name. You don’t have to memorize all the names – write it down somewhere and just bring the sheet of paper along the next time you go see a doctor. It will definitely help the doctor in doing his/her job.
Having said that, there is another thing that I would just like to say – antibiotics are NOT the answer to all diseases. Do not take antibiotics before consulting your doctor. Same symptoms does not mean same disease. Not everyone needs antibiotics. Let your doctor decide your medication.
Better still, stay healthy!! :)
09.01.09
4 comments:
err..in russia, they buy their own meds..
while here, the gov provides them with it..
so i guess..people just dont bother to read whats written on the PS's,because its free most of the time:)
like ur logic ck.. haha
but then at least the patient shud ask sum1 from family to bring their meds to hosp... orelse the 555 book..
seriously tat helps alot..
i had 1 patient.. she said she is on 1 meds for HPT.. her BP is like 200..
later on,saw the old PS(she brought tat later coz its time for her to get meds fr hosp..) n i noticed she had bout 4 meds for BP alone!!!! haiz....if jz tat she brought earlier..no need refer medical..
We Malaysians not so "educated" ma. lol especially those scientific stuff.
hmm...I agree...
but cannot blame them also coz the doctors din really tell the patients what drugs he is prescribing...haih...
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