Migraines en-es

Introductory Summary: Ms. Vincent, referred to a neurologist for migraines, is met by the provider with a lack of empathy and dismissive behavior, leaving her feeling uneasy and cautious as she discusses her health issues.

Disclaimer:: This text is an original work of fiction based on real scenarios. Any similarities between people or places are purely coincidental.

Participants

Contributors

Author

Kelly Grzech

Co-Author

Veronica Guemez

Editors

Devin Gilbert

Karen Marin

Audio Engineer

Carlos Rubio

Voice Actors

Full Summary: Ms. Vincent has been referred to a neurologist for her monthly migraines. Unfortunately, the neurologist seems dismissive and has a poor bedside manner. Despite speaking directly to the patient, he is avoiding eye contact, and his tone of voice is gruff. Ms. Vincent appears nervous, likely as a result of the neurologist’s demeanor, and is carefully trying to navigate the provider’s questions in hopes that the provider will address her health concerns.

Main Challenges: It can be incredibly demanding to be a physician, and the stressors of the job can even lead some medical providers to develop what is known as compassion fatigue. Compassion fatigue often results in a lack of empathy that may result in physicians not taking their patients’ concerns seriously. Providers with compassion fatigue may seem apathetic or even unkind to patients. As an interpreter, it can be difficult to interpret for encounters with such providers, and it can be frustrating to interpret for them. While our role often limits us as far as what we can do in these situations, it’s important to not fall victim to the same compassion fatigue that medical providers may succumb to, and to always be respectful of all parties in the interpreted encounter.

Key Terminology and Vocabulary

This dialogue is rated T for Teen and may not be suitable for children under 13.

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Supplementary Resources: Migraine vs. Headache: How to Tell the Difference (Penn Medicine); Migraine and Chronic Headache: New Attitudes– and Real, Effective Treatments (UNM Health); It’s All in Your Head: How I Fell Into the Common Trap of Self-Gaslighting as a Lifelong Migraine Sufferer (Well+Good); sumatriptan (Rx) (Medscape); Compassion Fatigue: The Toll of Being a Care Provider (American Association of Medical Colleges); Presenting complaint: use of language that disempowers patients (National Library of Medicine)

Dialogue