As Plymouth natives, albeit living over the bridge now, we’re enjoying the PI greatly. The Old Baloney hasn’t been what it used to be for many decades. The PI fills a gaping hole in local coverage and spirit. Thank you.
A small cavil: in the piece on the big Atrius development, you noted that their doctors ordered a number of diagnostic exams. First, nurse practitioners with doctoral degrees are also properly called “Dr.,” even though older physicians are having a hard time with this. They’ll get over it eventually.
More important, though, is the use of the word “ordered.” This anachronism has its roots in the beginnings of modern health care. The first hospitals gave attention to sanitation, nutrition, and patient welfare as researched and prescribed by nurses— did you know that Florence Nightingale was a precedent-setting public health statistician? However, many 19th century hospitals were run by the military (yay, wars…) and the physicians held military rank. Therefore, they issued orders which were to be obeyed.
We are no longer in the army. Physicians are not our superior officers and do not order patients nor any other health care staffers to comply with an overarching medical plan of care. Doctors (including NPs) and others request, obtain, requisition, prescribe … but they do not order. Care is collaborative. Patients are free to adhere to plans of care from physicians, nursing, dietary, physical therapy, and any other disciplines with prescriptive authority… or not. (Parenthetically, those other disciplines are not controlled by physicians, either; requiring a physician prescription for services like therapy, home nursing, and others is only a financial control by the insurance industry….but I digress.) Using modern language to reflect the modern collaborative care model will help shape public opinion. Do it right.
While you’re at it, watch for other military- or munitions-related language that has seeped stealthily into general use … politicians are “in the crosshairs,” QBs throw “bombs,” actions “targeting” individuals or groups, exhortations to “take your best shot,” come immediately to mind. Once you start looking, you can’t unsee them. Not important? Too subtle to warrant editorial attention? I wonder.
Wendie Howland, Pocasset