Suffering in silence: 8 embarrassing health problems
There are some problems such as sexual dysfunction, vaginal odour, anal itching, etc that some people may find too shameful to talk about or seek medical help for.
How to handle patients with sensitive health issues
Convincing a patient with an embarrassing health problem to open up for medical assistance is not an easy matter. Medics have adopted diverse strategies to win their confidence. “The first thing I do to make patients relax is meet them in a different environment, may be a restaurant,” said Paul Mitei, an obstetrician and gynaecologist.
“The hospital environment is feared by many, more so men,” Dr Mitei said. The second point is to be prepared because some patients break down and want to share more, he said, adding that he gives them writing paper and pen.
Some are more comfortable writing than narrating, he explains. “I then develop a list of questions and encourage them to talk honestly about their condition,” said Dr Mitei.
He also makes the patient understand that not visiting a doctor could worsen the condition. “Some see the sense, but others are adamant,” he said.
“We also use pseudo names in their files because their cases are confidential and we do not want others to know about them. But with all these assurances we still face resistance from some patients,” he said.
When it comes to other procedures, Dr Mitei said they have to be around to give instructions and talk to the person performing the procedure rather than the patient doing the talking.
“When we do the talking it becomes easy because they do not have to narrate their problems to third parties,” Dr Mitei said. It calls for patience and understanding to handle such patients, he said. “You don’t nag them or show that they are the cause of their problems because all they need is to get better and not lectures,” he said.
What is that health condition so embarrassing to you that you’d not freely discuss it with family or even a doctor?
Medics say cases of patients being uneasy with some medical conditions are common, leaving many at risk of severe health complications or even death because they would not step forward for help.
