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HEART OF THE MATTER: Despite harsh criticism, our Health Center continues to provide healthy care
by Gabriel Verzino
Heart of the Matter
Columnists | 4/1/08
Posted online at 11:36 PM EST on 3/31/08
The Health Center at Brandeis University came under immense criticism last week during a forum in the Shapiro Campus Center. Although the Health Center Advisory Committee, which moderated the discussion, was eager to hear suggestions, the assembly members voiced complaints and shared mostly negative experiences. It would be unfair to say that some of the complaints were unjustified, because patient satisfaction is the most important part of any health care service. Yet, the objections did not reflect any specific failings of the Health Center, but rather the frustrations of being sick.
"Brandeis students work very hard, and a debilitating illness such as mono or strep can be very frustrating," said Kathleen Maloney, Nursing Director at the Health Center. "Hearing there isn't a quick fix just adds to the frustration. I think some complaints are due to lack of knowledge."
One of the most common complaints that students have is that they are misdiagnosed. The Health Center serves a population that, for all practical purposes, is generally healthy and presents approximately the same types of medical issues. For this reason, the nurses are very confident in the diagnoses as they examine the 30 to 60 students that come into the Health Center every day.
Unfortunately, antibodies that indicate a specific illness may not become detectable until the second or third weeks of illness. A student may have flu-like symptoms for a week, but blood tests are not useful until seven days after. For instance, with bronchitis, the cold or flu comes first, and after the cough persists for a week, it is then called bronchitis.
During the forum, it seemed that many students were concerned about their confidentiality being breached or being judged by the staff; especially when it came to pregnancy or other sexually related topics, for example.
This is a valid concern. Questions about private sexual life should only be asked when absolutely necessary. Most often the "have you ever …" questions are not being asked out of curiosity, but rather as a part of your regular checkup for your protection.
"Brandeis students work very hard, and a debilitating illness such as mono or strep can be very frustrating," said Kathleen Maloney, Nursing Director at the Health Center. "Hearing there isn't a quick fix just adds to the frustration. I think some complaints are due to lack of knowledge."
One of the most common complaints that students have is that they are misdiagnosed. The Health Center serves a population that, for all practical purposes, is generally healthy and presents approximately the same types of medical issues. For this reason, the nurses are very confident in the diagnoses as they examine the 30 to 60 students that come into the Health Center every day.
Unfortunately, antibodies that indicate a specific illness may not become detectable until the second or third weeks of illness. A student may have flu-like symptoms for a week, but blood tests are not useful until seven days after. For instance, with bronchitis, the cold or flu comes first, and after the cough persists for a week, it is then called bronchitis.
During the forum, it seemed that many students were concerned about their confidentiality being breached or being judged by the staff; especially when it came to pregnancy or other sexually related topics, for example.
This is a valid concern. Questions about private sexual life should only be asked when absolutely necessary. Most often the "have you ever …" questions are not being asked out of curiosity, but rather as a part of your regular checkup for your protection.
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