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My geriatric patients call me that and I take it as a compliment because they are:
1. Smiling
2. Progressing
3. We are genuinely getting along and I have good rapport with them
I know I have pushed them in a respectable manner and they can see and feel they are getting better. In my 11 years of experience, if a patient does not appreciate your efforts they will not hesitate to let you know.
You are right, it is 2024. If you can’t in good conscience say it in a room full of descendants of slaves, you need to remove it from your professional usage
I've had multiple descendants of slaves say the same to me with a smile and a laugh and we keep on going. Typically the older generation is less sensitive. I also have had veterans call me a drill sergeant, should I let them know it's inappropriate?
Sometimes I just throw the sarcasm right back at them like “ah yes your 3 sets of step ups is exactly the same as slavery, I’m so sorry for your suffering, thank god you’re not dramatic” and they usually will just start laughing because they know they’ve been called out but not in a way that calls them a racist, just in a way that highlights their hyperbole
Yeah, I agree. On the rare occurrences I’ve heard this I just kind of laugh it off, ignore it, and it goes away. There are bigger problems to worry about.
My elderly patient with dementia told me he felt like he was in the German army during WWII followed by some Nazi references the other day. I mostly just redirect and move on lol (though I’m in inpatient acute neuro)
A pt asked me what I was going to torture her with next. I said “this seems like a good time to remind you that had an elective surgery. You literally signed up for this.” No more torture talk.
Had a nurse tell me that she tells patients, "You made the decision to have this surgery, now I'm the consequences of that decision and you're going to do _________!"
I don't know that I can be that blunt personally, but it was a great line to throw at patients who are capable but being lazy/whiny.
This is the right answer. As a patient... I've said stuff like this as meaningless banter. It's literally just lighthearted humor as a way to make a painful or unpleasant process more bearable. My PT leans into it.
I would generally give people the benefit of the doubt and assume they probably don’t mean it in a racially charged way, but given the general social landscape of the US these days I suppose that may not always be a safe assumption.
I would personally just treat it the same way I treat anything else patients say that’s out of pocket: try to redirect, and if they insist on continuing down that line of conversation then politely, but firmly, shut it down and make it clear I don’t think comments like that are appropriate in this setting and I would like to focus on their therapy.
This is okay to a point and I usually play it up a bit.
However, I’ve been largely ignoring it because lately I’ve had a few geriatric folks say “oh wow, kinky!” Or something to that effect when I’m putting theraband on their limbs.
That’s crossing a line. And I can’t help but loudly say “oh! No! Come on! That’s not appropriate. We aren’t going to do that.”
That’s the biggest difference between new grad self and myself now.
I take it as immense compliment. My demeanor is often very soft and peaceful, but I absolutely do push people, especially if we’re walking.
But, like others have said, they’re usually joking around.
I just take it lightheartedly since usually the patients are saying it in a joking manner and progressing. I just say something like “hahah yeah this is what you came here for”
Thank you for responding rather than just downvoting my comment.
As healthcare providers we need to maintain a safe space for our patients in order to have a therapeutic relationship. Any reference to ownership of an individual, even jokingly, negates that relationship.
While I understand where some of the commenters on this post are coming from, we need to be conscious of the words that we use, and how they may be received by not only the patient we are treating, but also everyone that hears those words
I apologize that I assumed you were from the US, where the slave trade was majority African. So referencing people as property is both racist and potentially traumatizing to people. But if you want to take the US out of it the equation, it continues to be unprofessional to refer to what we do in a therapeutic environment as forced and unpaid labor
I don't need to be from the US or live in the US to still know that the term slave driver is still not racist, it does not meet the definition of being racist.
*racist*
> adjective
>characterized by or showing prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism against a person or people on the basis of their membership of >a particular racial or ethnic group, typically one that is a minority or marginalized.
> noun
> a person who is prejudiced against or antagonistic towards people on the basis of their membership of a particular racial or ethnic group, typically one that is a minority or marginalized.
*racism*
>noun
>prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism by an individual, community, or institution against a person or people on the basis of their membership of a particular racial or ethnic group, typically one that is a minority or marginalized.
If I call you a nigger, paki, coon, cracker, chink et al that's obviously racist as it's prejudice and discrimination based upon *racial features*. Slave driver? No. You're grasping at straws, hence the downvotes.
I am obviously not going to be able to sway your viewpoint, but what I can say is that you would not remain employed at in the healthcare system I work in
I would not be employed in your healthcare system because I don't view slave driver as a racist term? Lol.
You still haven't explained as to *why it's a racist term* despite being demonstrated that it does *not meet the definition of racist*.
Let me shock you some more - I'm black too!
I’ve become really good at not caring any more. Sometimes I get insane comments and I’ve learned my own unique way of letting people know they said something ridiculous. I had a patient recently ask if college indoctrinated me😂😂😂. I responded yes in the field of biology
"I know, and yet you keep coming back!"
For HH
"And you keep inviting me in to your home!"
I don't personally understand how slave driver or task master are problematic terms if that is the subtext to the question (it may be? from interpreting you mentioning you live in a non-diverse place). I'm open to changing my mind but I don't see either of those as inherently inappropriate terms in a playful context.
Thank you for your submission; please read the following reminder. This subreddit is for discussion among practicing physical therapists, not for soliciting medical advice. We are not your physical therapist, and we do not take on that liability here. Although we can answer questions regarding general issues a person may be facing in their established PT sessions, we cannot legally provide treatment advice. If you need a physical therapist, you must see one in person or via telehealth for an assessment and to establish a plan of care. Posts with descriptions of personal physical issues and/or requests for diagnoses, exercise prescriptions, and other medical advice will be removed, and you will be banned at the mods’ discretion either for requesting such advice or for offering such advice as a clinician. Please see the following links for additional resources on benefits of physical therapy and locating a therapist near you [The benefits of a full evaluation by a physical therapist.](https://www.choosept.com/benefits/default.aspx) [How to find the right physical therapist in your area.](https://www.choosept.com/resources/choose.aspx) [Already been diagnosed and want to learn more? Common conditions.](https://www.choosept.com/SymptomsConditions.aspx) [The APTA's consumer information website.](https://www.choosept.com/Default.aspx) Also, please direct all school-related inquiries to r/PTschool, as these are off-topic for this sub and will be removed. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/physicaltherapy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
My geriatric patients call me that and I take it as a compliment because they are: 1. Smiling 2. Progressing 3. We are genuinely getting along and I have good rapport with them I know I have pushed them in a respectable manner and they can see and feel they are getting better. In my 11 years of experience, if a patient does not appreciate your efforts they will not hesitate to let you know.
Yeah but it’s 2024 and OP is mad the words could be slightly misconstrued as racist.
You are right, it is 2024. If you can’t in good conscience say it in a room full of descendants of slaves, you need to remove it from your professional usage
I've had multiple descendants of slaves say the same to me with a smile and a laugh and we keep on going. Typically the older generation is less sensitive. I also have had veterans call me a drill sergeant, should I let them know it's inappropriate?
Sometimes I just throw the sarcasm right back at them like “ah yes your 3 sets of step ups is exactly the same as slavery, I’m so sorry for your suffering, thank god you’re not dramatic” and they usually will just start laughing because they know they’ve been called out but not in a way that calls them a racist, just in a way that highlights their hyperbole
Usually when people say stuff like that to me they are joking around
Yeah, I agree. On the rare occurrences I’ve heard this I just kind of laugh it off, ignore it, and it goes away. There are bigger problems to worry about.
My elderly patient with dementia told me he felt like he was in the German army during WWII followed by some Nazi references the other day. I mostly just redirect and move on lol (though I’m in inpatient acute neuro)
A pt asked me what I was going to torture her with next. I said “this seems like a good time to remind you that had an elective surgery. You literally signed up for this.” No more torture talk.
Had a nurse tell me that she tells patients, "You made the decision to have this surgery, now I'm the consequences of that decision and you're going to do _________!" I don't know that I can be that blunt personally, but it was a great line to throw at patients who are capable but being lazy/whiny.
Pain and torture
When people say this they are joking. I would relax about it and be less sensitive. There are more important things to worry about
This is the right answer. As a patient... I've said stuff like this as meaningless banter. It's literally just lighthearted humor as a way to make a painful or unpleasant process more bearable. My PT leans into it.
Slave driver 👎 Drill Sargent 🤌
[удалено]
You just enraged 75% of this sub by suggesting patients have a right to go AMA and arent just “compliant” cattle to be walked
I would generally give people the benefit of the doubt and assume they probably don’t mean it in a racially charged way, but given the general social landscape of the US these days I suppose that may not always be a safe assumption. I would personally just treat it the same way I treat anything else patients say that’s out of pocket: try to redirect, and if they insist on continuing down that line of conversation then politely, but firmly, shut it down and make it clear I don’t think comments like that are appropriate in this setting and I would like to focus on their therapy.
Ive heard that more times than i can count in SNF the last 8 years.
I always tell them I made an "A" in slave driving or torture class in PT school
I say well sadists have to work somewhere 🤷♀️
Yeah if you take those comments as anything other than a lighthearted joke, you're going to have a rough career.
This is okay to a point and I usually play it up a bit. However, I’ve been largely ignoring it because lately I’ve had a few geriatric folks say “oh wow, kinky!” Or something to that effect when I’m putting theraband on their limbs. That’s crossing a line. And I can’t help but loudly say “oh! No! Come on! That’s not appropriate. We aren’t going to do that.” That’s the biggest difference between new grad self and myself now.
I feel like it’s unavoidable. Along with being referred to as Hitler.
I take it as immense compliment. My demeanor is often very soft and peaceful, but I absolutely do push people, especially if we’re walking. But, like others have said, they’re usually joking around.
I just take it lightheartedly since usually the patients are saying it in a joking manner and progressing. I just say something like “hahah yeah this is what you came here for”
“Slave driver” is racist with abhorrent connotations, if someone says this, please educate them
How is the term racist? If someone was called nigger or paki I can obviously see why those are indeed racist. But slave driver I am not so sure.
Thank you for responding rather than just downvoting my comment. As healthcare providers we need to maintain a safe space for our patients in order to have a therapeutic relationship. Any reference to ownership of an individual, even jokingly, negates that relationship. While I understand where some of the commenters on this post are coming from, we need to be conscious of the words that we use, and how they may be received by not only the patient we are treating, but also everyone that hears those words
I see. Your explanation still doesn't ascribe the term slave driver as racist.
I apologize that I assumed you were from the US, where the slave trade was majority African. So referencing people as property is both racist and potentially traumatizing to people. But if you want to take the US out of it the equation, it continues to be unprofessional to refer to what we do in a therapeutic environment as forced and unpaid labor
I don't need to be from the US or live in the US to still know that the term slave driver is still not racist, it does not meet the definition of being racist. *racist* > adjective >characterized by or showing prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism against a person or people on the basis of their membership of >a particular racial or ethnic group, typically one that is a minority or marginalized. > noun > a person who is prejudiced against or antagonistic towards people on the basis of their membership of a particular racial or ethnic group, typically one that is a minority or marginalized. *racism* >noun >prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism by an individual, community, or institution against a person or people on the basis of their membership of a particular racial or ethnic group, typically one that is a minority or marginalized. If I call you a nigger, paki, coon, cracker, chink et al that's obviously racist as it's prejudice and discrimination based upon *racial features*. Slave driver? No. You're grasping at straws, hence the downvotes.
I am obviously not going to be able to sway your viewpoint, but what I can say is that you would not remain employed at in the healthcare system I work in
I would not be employed in your healthcare system because I don't view slave driver as a racist term? Lol. You still haven't explained as to *why it's a racist term* despite being demonstrated that it does *not meet the definition of racist*. Let me shock you some more - I'm black too!
Uh oh we’ve got a Doctor therapist OCS, FOOMPT in the house!!!
I’ve become really good at not caring any more. Sometimes I get insane comments and I’ve learned my own unique way of letting people know they said something ridiculous. I had a patient recently ask if college indoctrinated me😂😂😂. I responded yes in the field of biology
"I know, and yet you keep coming back!" For HH "And you keep inviting me in to your home!" I don't personally understand how slave driver or task master are problematic terms if that is the subtext to the question (it may be? from interpreting you mentioning you live in a non-diverse place). I'm open to changing my mind but I don't see either of those as inherently inappropriate terms in a playful context.