{"id":3063,"date":"2023-07-20T10:13:06","date_gmt":"2023-07-20T08:13:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging.connect2us.eu\/verhalen\/the-doctor-is-not-clear\/"},"modified":"2024-09-12T16:21:28","modified_gmt":"2024-09-12T14:21:28","slug":"the-doctor-is-not-clear","status":"publish","type":"portfolio","link":"https:\/\/connect2us.eu\/en\/stories\/the-doctor-is-not-clear\/","title":{"rendered":"The doctor is not clear"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Surya is pregnant with her first child and is about to give birth. She finds it all very exciting and asks the family doctor, Peter van Mierlo, who will help her on the day of delivery. Her family in India is used to having the delivery accompanied by a gynecologist. She wants that too; she likes the idea. Peter explains that a midwife is normally present, unless it threatens to be a difficult delivery. He immediately introduces her to Monique, the midwife who will accompany Surya. <\/p>\n\n

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Another view<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

Surya is disappointed. “Soon I will give birth for the first time. I find it all quite exciting!” she reflects. “That’s why I asked Dr. van Mierlo if I could count on the women’s doctor. But now I hear there’s a midwife there! Is that even a real doctor? Am I really in good hands? The doctor is not clear!” But Surya dares not say anything. <\/p>\n\n

Peter is pleased.\nSo far, everything looks good with Surya, and there will probably be no complications during labor.\n“Friendly woman,” he thinks.\n“It will be quite exciting so far from home. She didn’t say much. I think she’s confident. And Monique is a very sweet midwife!” <\/p>\n\n

The misunderstanding<\/strong>: the doctor is unclear<\/h3>\n\n

Surya goes home worried.\nA midwife is not a doctor.\nWhat if something goes wrong?\nIt will be an exciting few last weeks.\nDoctor van Mierlo was not clear in her perception.\nBut she couldn’t help but respect him. <\/p>\n\n

Peter van Mierlo was pleased with the visit.\nThe pregnancy is going normally and Surya had no questions.\nIf something hadn’t been clear she would have asked. <\/p>\n\n

The circumstances<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

In India, the patient looks up to a doctor, an authority.\nIndia is a society that values authority.\nIt took some getting used to before that Surya had to deal with Doctor van Mierlo, as a kind of middleman, who, moreover, always received her in casual clothes and told her she could say Peter!\nA doctor in India would never do that.\nThat one exudes expertise and authority.\nThe patients like that too; it gives clarity. <\/p>\n\n

Surya has long doubted whether Dr. van Mierlo himself was a real doctor. Now he comes with a midwife…. Nice woman though, that Monique but Surya had counted on specialists, in a safe environment, not at home. In India that is not possible anyway, the houses are different and if the woman has to go to the hospital quickly, there is often no good infrastructure. About the Netherlands, she is not so sure yet. <\/p>\n\n

But Surya is not used to calling the doctor on that.\nShe is uncertain and even a little angry.\nBut Dr. van Mierlo doesn’t seem to have time for her. <\/p>\n\n

In the Netherlands, we also have great respect for the family doctor, gynecologist and obstetrician, but the specialist is not necessarily the only or best option.\nIn addition, giving birth at home is perceived as a luxury, thanks in part to the availability of the midwife. <\/p>\n\n

In our egalitarian culture, people treat each other as equals.\nThe patient thinks with you.\nClara expects the same, and if you have questions you can ask. <\/p>\n\n

The connection<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

In India, authority and family is very important.\nIt is a more hierarchical, “we” society.\nClara can expect Surya, in his presence, to communicate indirectly and not put her questions and concerns on the table unasked.\nIf she smiles, remains silent or stands up, it does not mean she does not have those questions.\nPeter should also know that Suraya expects an “authority,” a specialist, at the delivery. <\/p>\n\n

Peter can pay better attention to Surya’s body language and address her concerns by describing the midwife’s specialty in advance.\nIn addition, it may help to tell her that the midwife also attends births in her own family.\nFinally, Peter can ask if she would like to briefly repeat exactly what was discussed.\nThis is not condescending, but a way of giving Suraya the floor and inviting her to ask further questions.\nAnd it prevents the doctor from being unclear. <\/p>\n\n

Of course, Surya will gain more and more confidence in the Dutch approach and learn to stand up for herself. Also with Dr. van Mierlo. But it is precisely these very personal and exciting circumstances in which cultural differences become more important. <\/p>\n\n

In short<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

Summary for the physician: <\/p>\n\n