sangria Posted February 19, 2017 Report Share Posted February 19, 2017 When talking to patients about the abdomen, which word do you use? As a patient, I would find it odd if my doctor calls it anything other than the abdomen, but apparently it is too clinical/technical. Belly has a negative connotation i.e. fat. I am having a hard time saying the word tummy to anyone older than 5 with a straight face. Stomach is anatomically incorrect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellorie Posted February 19, 2017 Report Share Posted February 19, 2017 I've always said "belly". No idea why, and nobody has ever complained. I doubt most people will notice one way or the other to be honest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Intrepid86 Posted February 19, 2017 Report Share Posted February 19, 2017 Most of the time I say abdomen. I don't think it's too clinical/technical. If a patient doesn't understand, just point to it. Sometimes I say belly. No one's been offended yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lactic Folly Posted February 19, 2017 Report Share Posted February 19, 2017 "Where is your pain?" "Can you point to where it hurts the most?" "Is it tender here?" "How about up here, or on the right/left etc.?" (palpating or scanning) Interestingly, I don't think I end up using the words abdomen or belly that often when examining patients (perhaps because the history of abdominal pain is already provided to us), but either term would be generally acceptable, I think (neither too technical nor negative sounding). There aren't really any better alternatives that come to mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArchEnemy Posted February 20, 2017 Report Share Posted February 20, 2017 I try to use belly or tummy when working with children; stomach or abdomen when working with adolescents and adults. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MD2015:) Posted February 26, 2017 Report Share Posted February 26, 2017 tummy or belly hehe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arztin Posted February 26, 2017 Report Share Posted February 26, 2017 with teens and adults, abdomen. Belly for kids. with French patients, I use ''ventre'' most of the time for adults and teens, always for kids. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Safi Posted February 26, 2017 Report Share Posted February 26, 2017 Posting from the patient side, when I go to the doctors I understand that when the doctor's speaking to me they're not trying to be offensive or anything, they're just trying to convey the information in a way that I'll understand. I'm still in high school so I'm not sure how you would take my opinion but, I think belly works fine as most people understand the doctor is not attempting to insult you but rather help you with any problems you might be facing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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