Articles related to PATIENT COMMUNICATION

Intrauterine mepivacaine administered shortly before IUD placement reduced procedural pain and improved patient-reported experience in a randomized trial of women receiving smaller-diameter IUDs, although comparisons with other analgesic approaches remain limited.

A perspective article argues that vaccine-hesitant parents often communicate uncertainty indirectly through delays, scheduling questions, or silence rather than explicit refusal. The author proposes an “announce, detect, switch” framework that warrants prospective evaluation before broader adoption.

An expert commentary argues that persistent physical symptoms should be approached through a balanced framework that validates patient suffering, excludes dangerous medical illness, and incorporates evidence-informed understanding of brain-body mechanisms without dismissing symptoms as psychological.

The death of a 26-year-old woman diagnosed with metastatic cholangiocarcinoma at age 23 highlights challenges surrounding cancer recognition in younger adults, patient engagement through social media, and communication when treatment options become limited.

Dolly Parton reported overlooking personal health concerns while caring for her husband, illustrating how caregiving can delay attention to symptoms. No unifying diagnosis or cause of death was disclosed.

The New Mexico Supreme Court ruled that a patient’s statements to a physician remained protected by physician-patient privilege despite police presence during a clinical conversation. The decision arose from a newborn death prosecution and highlights the fact-specific nature of confidentiality protections.