Why do medical staff rarely introduce themselves?

[TheCat]

I appreciate that generally medical clincians are under time pressure for most appointments, and need to get people in and out. But why is it that they generally never introduce themselves? (At least not in my experience)

Im not talking about a GP or consultant appointment, as thats generally a 1-to-1 and you know who you are meeting ahead of time. But Im referring to going to hospitals, medical centres etc for tests, scans, asessments etc etc and walking into a room where there might be 3 or 4 people...none of whom introduce themselves or even say what their role is...I.e. Are you a doctor? A nurse? A radiographer? A specialist? a student? the janitor?

I have great respect for many medical practitioners, but I think its probably easy to become a little desensitised to the invasive and/or highly personal nature of many of these interactions. While they may see x-many people per day, for each individual patient, being there is likely to be quite a big deal, and will likely feel vulnerable/intimidated/overwhelmed with 3-4 total strangers all either staring at them, prodding them or telling them to do this and that. And I would think a quick intro to who is in the room would go a long way to at least providing some level of comfort.

This struck me as a problem both times my wife was pregnant, and we would go to hospital for antenatal appointments...at one ultrasound, I counted 5 people in the room (not including my wife and I) and a couple more coming in and out from time to time, not a pleasant environment when quite personal things are being done, and quite emotional subjects are being discussed. Also recently, I had to take my 7 year old son to hospital for a long appointment...yes, of course we knew the overarching reason we were there, but he walks into a room with 3 women all staring at him, firing questions at him questions, and I cant even provide him with the modicom of comfort as to who the heck these people even are....

Anyway....anyone else find this is something that concerns them?

[Spartacus]

I find the staff at King's and Bowley Close tend to introduce themselves first time you meet them but then assume you remember their names and roles afterwards.

In my experience they are quite happy if you ask who they are and what their role is if you are unsure.

The best introduction was from a radiographer who said "I'm Mary and today I'm taking your passport photos" (name changed)

[TheCat]

Sounds like you've had some better experiences than I have Spartacus.

I have indeed occasionally asked who people are, but often one can feel bundled-in/rushed/put-upon, and perhaps a bit flustered which doesnt always make it easy.

I might add that each time this has been a problem its not me who is the patient, and my focus is usually on trying to make sure the actual patient is okay. If its a stressful and rushed appointment, interrupting to ask for intro's isnt always as easy as it perhaps should be!

[Nigello]

If in doubt, ask. They won't be offended if you inquire politely.

[TheCat]

Thanks nigello...yes, its the obvious advice, I guess im just puzzled as to why I should have to ask...for the people in the room to introduce themselves as a matter of course would seem like the standard thing to do to me. They already know who I am (they, literally, just called my name)...

Perhaps I should have put my OP in the tiny things that cause irrational rage thread instead:).....

[Nigello]

I think it is to do with the idea that the NHS, love it or adore it or loathe it or merely just accept it, is a public and national service. In the US, where you pay dearly, you expect and even demand the personal touch. (I suggested the obvious because so many people just go along with the status quo and are reticent to stand up for themselves, even in the relatively benign example of asking a doctor or dentist to ID him or herself. It should not be a concern but it is, unfortuately, and that is because of attitudes and misconceptions on both sides.)

[womanofdulwich]

I've been to orthopaedic clinic at kings a lot, id say the people in the plastering dept are always very jolly and introduce themselves, unless they are very busy.

[Pugwash]

Have been both an in and out patient at KCH for many years. Generally medics and such introduce them selves, many have a prominent name badge or tag. I found as a patient that I would ask staff how they would like to be addressed (they usually have asked me whether I wanted to be formal or happy to use my first name) When I worked in hospitals - I would generally just give my first name to patients, explain my title and role. If I was going to deal with them for a period of time - I gave my surname and work phone number as a contact.

[intexasatthe moment]

I agree TheCat ,i may seem perverse but actually I'm less interested in the name and want to know their role .And it's not always easy to be craning one's neck to get the name badge into the part of my varifocal that's going to enable me to read it .And it's taken me a while to remember that if someone in a hospital is in casual clothes and is called Mr Smith it's not because he's an administrator or pharmaceutical rep but a surgeon .

[beck]

All NHS staff should introduce themselves and this campaign has been promoted with NHS staff;

https://www.hellomynameis.org.uk/

[TheCat]

Thanks Beck.

Now's there's a campaign I can get on board with!

[heartblock]

'Hello my name is' has been actively and positively introduced by almost all NHS Trusts for over 10 years - staff have a name badge pass, but also a large yellow badge with their first name - which is specifically for patients. They are also taught in their induction to 1. Introduce themselves, 2. Explain what they are going to do and 3. Gain verbal consent.

Private contractors and privately run GP services may or may not be part of the scheme. For example Omnes Healthcare

If you do feel mistreated or have a complaint, compliment or suggestion when treated or visiting an NHS run service - please contact PALs or write to the dept. manager. All complaints have to be answered in a timely manner according to NHS Trust terms and values. If you are unsatisfied with how any complaint is dealt with, then escalate to NHS England.

Here are the NHS Values on every person's contract within the NHS

The values

So what are the values? There are six values that all staff ? everyone from porters, physiotherapists, nurses, paramedics and gardeners to secretaries, consultants, healthcare scientists and phlebotomists ? are expected to demonstrate:

-working together for patients. Patients come first in everything we do

-respect and dignity. We value every person ? whether patient, their families or carers, or staff ? as an individual, --respect their aspirations and commitments in life, and seek to understand their priorities, needs, abilities and limits

-commitment to quality of care. We earn the trust placed in us by insisting on quality and striving to get the basics of quality of care ? safety, effectiveness and patient experience right every time

-compassion. We ensure that compassion is central to the care we provide and respond with humanity and kindness to each person?s pain, distress, anxiety or need

-improving lives. We strive to improve health and wellbeing and people?s experiences of the NHS

-everyone counts. We maximise our resources for the benefit of the whole community, and make sure nobody is excluded, discriminated against or left behind.

[heartblock]

During Covid - many of my colleagues were in full..and quite frightening PPE, they would write their names across their chest and who they were with a large black pen, so relatives, patients and other staff knew who they were, as they all looked like astronauts.

I would say - if you knew these people and the utter exhaustion felt by many wearing full PPE, which feels as though you are in a sauna and working 9 hour shifts - you might forgive the occasional slip up of not introducing themselves.

Many have left - they used to be clapped by the public, but that did not translate into any real help from the Government, who are now funding diagnostic hubs.....but have not given any extra funding to employ and train new staff. So the staff that are left are even more overworked than before, even I am asked to return to clinical work...so they must be desperate!

[Nigello]

I think it is a societal thing, whereby people in "power" have been told that they ought to practically fall over themselves to be just like their client/customer/patient so as not to highlight any class or cultural gulf. It's claptrap, of course, and very patronising to the people "not in power", who seemingly can't cope with a man or woman in a whitecoat saying "Hello Mrs X, I am Dr Y and I will be treating your Z today. Please take a seat." etc.