ER Patients talk to people in white coats

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a study conducted by researchers at Johns Hopkins regarding the interactions between ER patients and survey takers dressed in white coats. The conversation touches on patient behavior, perceptions of medical staff, and off-topic musings about beer preferences before visiting the Emergency Room.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants highlight that ER patients initially refused to talk to survey takers until they donned white coats, suggesting a perception of authority associated with the attire.
  • Others note the humorous complaints from patients about the presence of janitors and their concerns regarding the medical staff, indicating a mix of anxiety and humor in stressful situations.
  • Participants discuss the findings of the study regarding the most commonly consumed beers among ER patients, with Budweiser being notably prevalent.
  • One participant expresses a personal preference for different beer brands, indicating a divergence in taste and possibly a reluctance to engage with the study's findings.
  • A later reply draws a humorous analogy to dentists and their attire, suggesting that the choice of clothing may influence patient comfort and communication.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not appear to reach a consensus on the implications of the study or the significance of the findings, as the discussion includes both serious observations and light-hearted commentary.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes anecdotal evidence and personal opinions, which may not fully represent broader trends or conclusions from the study. There is also a lack of detailed exploration into the methodology of the research or its limitations.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in the dynamics of patient-staff interactions in emergency settings, as well as those curious about the social behaviors of individuals in medical contexts, may find this discussion relevant.

BobG
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In a ground breaking study, researchers have found that ER patients talk to people in white coats!

“The Federal Trade Commission, in reports, and in personal communication with me, said this kind of research cannot be done,” David Jernigan, a professor of public health at Johns Hopkins and the director of the study told NBC News. “The National Institute on Drug Abuse gave me similar pushback.”

...

At first, Jernigan, said, many patients refused to talk. But then the survey takers, with the permission of the emergency room staff, donned white coats. After that, patients talked freely.

What's even more impressive is that the real doctors and nurses all wore blue scrubs! Griped one patient, "I wish the janitors would stop pestering me about dripping blood all over the place. I can't help it if I'm bleeding! And wish that darn doctor would come back! I'm beginning to worry he didn't like what kind of beer I drank!"

As an off-topic aside, what kind of beer do you like to drink before visiting the Emergency Room?
 
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BobG said:
As an off-topic aside, what kind of beer do you like to drink before visiting the Emergency Room?
Coincidentally, . . . .

When the Hopkins researchers surveyed ER patients who’d been drinking, they found that Budweiser was the number one brand consumed, followed Steel Reserve Malt Liquor, Colt 45 malt liquor, Bud Ice (another malt liquor), Bud Light, and a discount-priced vodka called Barton’s.

Though Budweiser has 9.1 percent of the national beer market, it represented 15 percent of the of the E.R. “market.”
. . . .
 
When the Hopkins researchers surveyed ER patients who’d been drinking, they found that Budweiser was the number one brand consumed, followed Steel Reserve Malt Liquor, Colt 45 malt liquor, Bud Ice (another malt liquor), Bud Light, and a discount-priced vodka called Barton’s.

Though Budweiser has 9.1 percent of the national beer market, it represented 15 percent of the of the E.R. “market.”
. . . .

That's why I don't visit the ER. I don't like any of those brands. I prefer http://www.bristolbrewing.com/our_beers.asp !
 
Last edited by a moderator:
That's why dentists don't show up in a Hawaiian shirt, they figured it out a long time ago.
 

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