Medicine Quote by Ree Drummond
““I’ll send the nurse in here in a minute, okay?” Waste of time , I thought. “Okay, but…do you think there’s anything we can do about my ears?” I really didn’t want to feel this way anymore. “Marcy will be in here in just a second,” he repeated. He wasn’t acknowledging my self-diagnosis at all. What kind of doctor is this? Marcy soon entered the room with a plastic cup with a bright green lid--the perfect reflection of my skin tone. “Do you think you can give us a urine sample, hon?” she asked. I can give you a vomit sample , I thought. “Sure,” I said, taking the cup and following Marcy to the restroom like a good little patient. And don’t call me hon , I thought. I was cranky. I needed something to eat, and I felt like bursting into tears. A minute later, I exited the bathroom and handed Marcy the sample cup, which I’d wiped clean with a paper towel. “Okay, hon,” she said. “You can just head back to the room and I’ll be back in a sec.” Stop calling me hon. ””
About This Quote
The narrator feels infantilized by medical staff’s patronizing language and dehumanizing treatment, highlighting power imbalance and loss of agency in healthcare settings.
In simple terms: Power imbalance in patient care
Key Takeaway
Patronizing language erodes dignity
Themes
Power dynamics
Empathy
Patient autonomy
Medical hierarchy
Language impact
Mood
Frustration
Vulnerability
Irritation
Type
Narrative
Anecdote
When to use this quote
- Medical appointments
- Hospital visits
- Receiving tests
- Being addressed condescendingly
Key Concepts
Dehumanization
Professionalism
Patient experience
Practical Applications
- Improving bedside manner
- Training staff on respectful communication
Questions to Reflect On
- How can patients assert dignity without confrontation?
- What policies could reduce patronizing language in clinics?
A Different Perspective
Some argue that informal terms like “hon” can be comforting, but context and tone determine whether they are perceived as respectful or demeaning.
