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I just want to give a shout-out to the University of Washington Medical Center and all its satellite clinics. I get all my medical care through them (I have several chronic conditions and it's complicated). At every appointment, in the main hospital or in the clincis, the blood-pressure cart has had both "standard" sized and large cuffs available. My arm is sort of in-between, and some providers use the standard cuff on me while some use the large; either seems to work okay for me. I recently had some surgery done at their main hospital, and the PA who prepped me for the surgery brought me two gowns, one standard size and one large, and said very courteously "Use whichever of these you're more comfortable with." No implied size-shaming, no putting me on the spot by asking which I wanted, absolutely no forcing me to ask for a large gown. They brought me both versions and let me choose -- I took the large one and found it very comfortable. They always ask if it's all right to weigh me. And none of my doctors there has ever nagged, or shamed, or tried to manipulate me about my weight. We have discussed it as it relates to several of my health conditions, but they all accept my judgment when I tell them that losing weight for me inevitably leads to gaining back more than I lost, and that I won't do it any more. They are shining examples of what health care can and should be.
Congratulations on getting your BCPA! I passed the exam in October. I’ve been working as a patient advocate for 15 years, and I’ve been very inspired by your work to help fat patients be accommodated in all healthcare situations.
I just want to give a shout-out to the University of Washington Medical Center and all its satellite clinics. I get all my medical care through them (I have several chronic conditions and it's complicated). At every appointment, in the main hospital or in the clincis, the blood-pressure cart has had both "standard" sized and large cuffs available. My arm is sort of in-between, and some providers use the standard cuff on me while some use the large; either seems to work okay for me. I recently had some surgery done at their main hospital, and the PA who prepped me for the surgery brought me two gowns, one standard size and one large, and said very courteously "Use whichever of these you're more comfortable with." No implied size-shaming, no putting me on the spot by asking which I wanted, absolutely no forcing me to ask for a large gown. They brought me both versions and let me choose -- I took the large one and found it very comfortable. They always ask if it's all right to weigh me. And none of my doctors there has ever nagged, or shamed, or tried to manipulate me about my weight. We have discussed it as it relates to several of my health conditions, but they all accept my judgment when I tell them that losing weight for me inevitably leads to gaining back more than I lost, and that I won't do it any more. They are shining examples of what health care can and should be.
Congratulations on getting your BCPA! I passed the exam in October. I’ve been working as a patient advocate for 15 years, and I’ve been very inspired by your work to help fat patients be accommodated in all healthcare situations.
Ragen, thank you for the advocacy, as always! I have looked for a conical bp cuff for years, do you have leads on how to find them? Thanks!