Doctor Doctor, I Keep Thinking I'm Gadget Obsessed

By Jon Bounds on Mar 19, 08 08:32 PM in Culture

I'm not good in medical situations, I'm so nervous that it normally takes me three blood-pressure readings to calm down enough not to be admitted on the spot - even if I've gone in with a nasty paper-cut. Apparently this is called white coat syndrome, but considering you only go to the doctors when you're worried because there's something wrong with you I think taking blood pressure readings is fraught with inaccuracy. Maybe they should jump out, surprise you and take it while you're watching Only Fools and Horses on UK Gold.

My white coat situation this week was an appointment at the QE to see if I should have my wisdom teeth out, so I was even more stressed than normal with thoughts of agony to come.

It would be really effective in improving the whole medical experience if surgeries and hospitals could do something to calm you down a little. Recently, waiting rooms I've been in have had tellies to complement the dog-eared copies of People's Friend, but when that means - as it did this morning - To Buy Or Not To Buy I'm not sure that's the answer. It could be worse, Brum-produced TBONTB (as the cool kids are no doubt calling it) is one of the better examples of daytime TV, but the only thing it's likely to do is make you even more impatient to see the doctor.

It's not that I don't trust doctors, I just worry and no-one likes that much focus on them, but there was one thing that immediately gave me a sense of peace - when I saw the doctor had an iPhone.

The phone immediately said to me that the consultant I was seeing cared about order, about communication, that he was interested in the new. It also suggested an idea of ascetics, something you want in a man who's going to cut you open and be responsible for the scar.

To appreciate the iPhone, or other lovely sleek technology, sets a person apart somewhat. No huge bricks and printing all your emails off. No claiming that "I don't get all that texting nonsense" and the desire not to learn new surgical techniques.

This isn't meant to be an advert for the phone. I love mine it's the only phone I've ever had that works as it claims, but if what you want is a great camera or video calling it doesn't do it. Gadgets do not necessarily maketh the doc, but it made me feel in safe hands. It was great to see someone that wasn't about to make their IT illiteracy a badge of honour. It's long been my suspicion that people pretend to be stupider than they are to get out of work, and "I'm rubbish with computers" is an easy one.

And if he wants to stitch a Apple logo into my gums when he's finished, that's okay.

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2 Comments

Paul Groves said:

The shameful decision to place TVs on the Cross-City Line remains one of society's greatest modern technological follies. The fact that the programming is only on a 10-minute loop compounds that folly, especially when you're on the train for 35-40 minutes.
Generally I quite like technology, but I do tend to be a bit of a gadget-phobe. I like looking at pretty pictures of them in magazines and stuff, but hand one to me and I turn into a disinterested teenager.
I also have a word of warning for you. I'm not bothered about gadgets and don't have a problem with my wisdom teeth. My wife is interested in gadgets and has needed surgery on her wisdom teeth. I'm not saying there is a link, just draw whatever conclusions you want.

March 20, 2008 7:58 AM

Derek Belm said:

In my own profession the tools of our trade have not changed for generations - no-one has yet invented something that does a better job, so there is no need to change our traditional toolage.
But I can see the benefit and feelings of relief that can be had knowing your dentist, doctor, plumber, builder, car mechanic, whomsoever else you have dealings with, has up-to-the-minute technology at their disposal.
Despite still being happy to use my old toolage in my work, I enjoy availing myself of the latest gadgetry and gizmos. Technology as a whole fascinates me, from having my own web space to a swish PDA so I can make technical notes during preliminary meetings with clients.
There is something of a paradox here - clients like to know we still use traditional methods and old fashioned toolage for our models, but they also are impressed by our embracing of technology in other stuff.

March 20, 2008 4:33 PM