Can I ask you guys a question? I have been seeing the same doctors in the same practice (ob/gyn) since I was 15. Of course, I didn't see them when I was in California, but I kept in touch. WHich probably sounds totally strange. Anyway, oneo f the doctors, during my exam the other day, vented about another patient. Never by name, never giving any identifying information, just stories about the patient. Nothing negative, just ... stories.

Is that strange? I would probably think it wierd if I was a new patient, but I guess since I've been there forever it doesn't ping me.

Anyway, I don't see it as a violation of confidentiality because I was not told anything identifying. I just see it as two people who have known each other a long time just chatting. Kind of like those of us that work with kids vent without naming the kids?

I was just wondering.

I've had numerous doctors tell me non-identifying stories about other patients. I didn't ever think it was supposed to be a thing. And not doctors I know well, either. It doesn't matter if I don't know who they're talking about.

I don't think I've had doctors tell me about other patients (er, at least, not when I was a patient--when working with them, sure, but never names)

I did once have a gyno tell me that she hadn't gotten laid recently either...

That would seem weird to me, Aims, but I think it's mostly a matter of context, not confidentiality -- all my health provider friends vent the way people do about students, clients, etc., and they're all very good about keeping it totally non-identifiable. If you hung out with your doc socially & were having a beer, I wouldn't even blink, but it's the part where it's in a clinical situation that feels odd to me.

(I also have a bubble the size of Cleveland when it comes to personal/professional, so...)

Unethical, but not surprising. Especially as you seem to have framed the relationship as friends that includes them being your doctor but not strictly being your doctor. Friends talk about their jobs often. And if it was unidentifiable, whatever.

re: food and diet, I'm pretty much in the "I really don't care anymore what I die of anymore".

Heh, me too. Though I have enjoyed colon regularity since we've been trying to eat through the weekly box of veggies from the local farm. Also helps us menu plan better instead of eating out all the time.

Is it weird? It happens to me a lot. Like, every second doctor's appointment I might hear something like "I have another patient whose headaches..." or "Another woman I treated your age presents..."

Not to mention the conversations that spring up around the ER about cases I can hear from my bed.

Is it weird? It happens to me a lot. Like, every second doctor's appointment I might hear something like "I have another patient whose headaches..." or "Another woman I treated your age presents..."

I think there is a difference in that it's applicable to your situation and it's a situation where the professionals are still searching for a way to treat you, ita. There's relevance.

I don't think it's that weird. I'm pretty sure Dave's cardiologist talked to him about other patients' cases.

My therapist used to talk about stuff that went on with her other patients. Sometimes it was relevant to my situation, sometimes it seemed like she was just chatty.