Hello My Name Is...

[Anonymous]

I follow an amazing docter called Kate Granger on Twitter.  Kate has terminal cancer but has raised a huge amount for charity and has also started the Hello, My Name Is campaign to encourage medical staff to introduce themselves.  I think this is a brilliant idea as, rather than just getting straight to the point, it encourages more of a patient/staff bond.

I wanted to bring Kate and the campaign to everyone's attention and also to find out what other people, especially @Cleoriff, think.

[ComaChameleon]

Hey Traceyjs1975

(I had internships in hospital for my job, so I was a bit more than 3 months there)

I think it's just good manners to introduce to patients. But depends on the care you're providing. Like in the morning, the nurses which wash people (and invade the privacy of the person), it's essential. But like if you step into the room for just bringing the breakfast/lunch etc in, it's not that necessary (plus we never had time to do that).

But in operation room, the anaesthesia-nurse introduced themselves and in the same sentence the intern.

In Ambulance service we always do it like "Good morning, [surname], Ambulance service city [name]".

I don't know how it's in a UK hospital, but in Germany it's norm (at least the hospitals I know).

[Cleoriff]

Hi @Anonymous I think it's a wonderful idea...but annoying in another way that this campaign needs to have attention drawn to it. Bottom line is medical/nursing and paramedical staff are not gods. Yes we undertake a skilled job which involves lots of study and exams etc etc...but this is our choice.  It is a simple courtesy to introduce yourself to someone. We do when socialising  so why should it be any different in any other environment?

One of the lectures I gave to all grades of staff was titled 'Ethics and Etiquette'. It included all aspects of making the patients as comfortable as possible both physically and psychologically. When I was a ward sister I had a consultant on my ward who was superb at his job. However his ward rounds were something else. Completed in 10 minutes flat. Rarely one word directed at the poor patient in the bed. All questions about them directed to me...I gave a quick report and he ended with 'you know what you are doing sister...discharge whenever you feel they are ready' NEXT.....

After he left the ward I then made it my business to go round and speak to all of his patients individually to explain what would happen next....

I know that sort of situation has improved a lot.Thank God. You should never ever be too busy to talk to the people you are caring for...Sorry if this is a rant..but it's something I have always felt so stronlgy about..

All power then to the 'My Name Is' campaign

[ComaChameleon]

@Cleoriff

As britons are said to be the politeness in person (yes, that's what other nations think :D) I thought it would be normal in UK.

Here the doctors (at least the higher ones) are feeling like Gods and don't need to talk to the patients. On intensive Care unit, they came into the boxes and stood there with like at least 20 doctors of all ranks and talk about the patient without even saying hello. I found it rude and felt bad for them.

Being busy... One time I had to go from IC to intern ward, because they were only 2 nurses for complete wards. They always are stressed there, but that time it was very hard. We had too little time for too many people. The nurses feel bad for not having time to listen to problems etc, but they just had to go, because there was so much work to do.

As an intern I always just took time and listened to them and made some small talk (especially old people were happy about that)... But after I got trouble with the head-nurse for not being able to complete the other tasks.

Same with old-age-homes. They just don't have enough man-power for that much people. Sad, but true.

[Anonymous]

I agree, there shouldn't have to be a campaign for this.  Kate Granger started it after being a patient and realising how vulnerable patients can feel.  Unless it's a real medical emergency there should always be time to introduce yourself to a patient.

My mother in law is in a nursing home and the majority of staff are friendly and she knows them by name (not necessarily the right name as she's deaf but you get the idea!).  It makes a big difference to her and, when she was discharged from hospital after breaking her hip and someone there told her she lived in a care home and therefore didn't have a home any more, she told them the home is her home and the staff are her big family.  Sadly she's deteriorated since then but the staff are still as good as ever.

[Cleoriff]

@ComaChameleon. Everyone can be busy and I am in no way trying to be noble but if it wasn't for our patients/clients, whatever you want to call them...we wouldn't have a job. They are the people who matter. They come into hospital often frightened to death. Most have no idea what their treatment entails as very few professionals have taken the time to explain. Far too many of us view them as part of a job to do ....when in fact everyone needing our care deserves our time and attention.

I know all about being busy. I have run a 38 bedded ward with only 3 staff on duty and then there is no time for chat or reassurance...but when there is time, we should take a breath and remember if we are stressed then our patients are even more so...

5 minutes is all it takes to make someone feel better without treatment, drugs or filling in charts.

Damn...now I sound like a real noble martyr...Not my intention at all...

[Anonymous]

The one person who really made a difference to me in hospital was a young health care assistant.  She chatted to me, gave me a hug and just made me feel a whole lot better and as though I was a person rather than just a patient.  I'm certainly not knocking the other staff members or the care I received but she really made a difference to me.

[Cleoriff]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I agree, there shouldn't have to be a campaign for this.  Kate Granger started it after being a patient and realising how vulnerable patients can feel.  Unless it's a real medical emergency there should always be time to introduce yourself to a patient.

My mother in law is in a nursing home and the majority of staff are friendly and she knows them by name (not necessarily the right name as she's deaf but you get the idea!).  It makes a big difference to her and, when she was discharged from hospital after breaking her hip and someone there told her she lived in a care home and therefore didn't have a home any more, she told them the home is her home and the staff are her big family.  Sadly she's deteriorated since then but the staff are still as good as ever.

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That sounds like an excellent home @Anonymous. I firmly believe patients should be called by whatever title they want. Some prefer first names......others prefer  Mrs Jones (for example). It's only right to follow their wishes. Treat everyone as individuals and have respect. (Have a moan when off duty of course...that allows you to let off steam) 

[Cleoriff]

And yes everyone deserves a hug. Many would prefer it not to come from the ward sister....but there are many other grades of staff I would encourage to do that when the time is right.....

[Cleoriff]

@Anonymous I expect you can see I am passionate about this issue. Going to shut up now and climb down from my soapbox.... I feel I as if I am giving a damn lecture....