Field notes: One thing I never say to my patients.

As an ER doctor, I have to break news all the time. Some good, some bad, some in between. Most ER docs have developed “talking points” that we deploy in various situations. I’ve certainly got some standby’s, and some I’ve learned just don’t work for me. I’m always in the market for new ways of saying these things. Delivering news of all kinds is a skill I’m constantly honing.

Also, because of its open layout, I occasionally overhear my colleagues explaining stuff to patients. I actually kinda love it when I hear a colleague explaining to a patient that their tests didn’t show anything and that they can go home.

There’s one phrase, though, that I often hear my colleagues say to patients that I never ever say…