October 1, 2020

The short story “Colloquy” by Shirley Jackson is about Mrs. Arnold, a patient seeking help from a new psychiatrist. She described him as competent and respectful. However, the doctor seems to be annoyed by her. For example, when she was sharing about her childhood, he displayed annoyance by frowning. To readers, this shows the doctor apprehends this session with Mrs. Arnold, a waste of his precious time. She expressed her worries about signs of mental disorder. He keeps dismissing her distress nonchalantly. When Mrs. Arnold asked puzzling questions, unveiling mental disturbance. To respond, the doctor answered her with an equally perplexing answer. Ironically, this pushed her further towards her mental turbulence. Unlike his professional appearance, he criticized and handled her case like any average person. Society often judges women and the vulnerable for trying to fit in.  

My mother met a similar treatment. When I was young, I accompanied my mother to a doctor’s office. It was our first time meeting this doctor. The reason I went with my mother was because she did not want to leave me alone at our empty house. I have always depended on my mother when I was young. My mother is a very competent and knowledgeable woman. When we moved to the United States, learning a second language was not yet my mother still found a job on her own with her broken English. My uncle recommended this doctor for her arthritis. When we finally met the doctor, she explained her concerns to the doctor. However, the doctor paid no attention to her. He started to explain everything to me. He automatically assumes I am good at English and that my mother cannot comprehend his advice. Both of us got confused. Despite this, she explained her medical problem slowly, making sure the grammar and wording were correct. However, that doctor told me to translate everything for her. Then I assured him she understands everything and to talk to her directly. That doctor repeated and said no, I would understand him better because my English is better than her.  

This whole experience was very strange to me. I know patient autonomy in the United States is important. Even in a diverse profession like a physician, He judged her based on her age, level of spoken English, and did not respect her autonomy. Even doctors in my community, who speak my mother tongue, judge patients based on stereotypes. Commonly associate old age with being uneducated. After that appointment, my mother lost confidence in her speech and felt reluctant to talk to doctors and professionals alone. My mother started to take my older sister and me for medical appointments. In addition, my mother and father go to the same doctor today. My father receives all the services (especially medicines) he asks from his doctor without any question. On the other hand, the doctor always attacks her lifestyle and her job before giving a prescription for a simple Tylenol from her arthritis. 

Historically women are underrepresented and oppressed. According to the article “Gender Disparities in Health and Healthcare Use Among Older Adults.” it is stated in the discussion that “The [report from the] previous 2 years, indicating that men and women enter the medical system at a similar frequency. However, there is evidence that women received fewer physician services than men with similar health needs” …” physicians are gatekeepers for use of other medical services.” 

Unfortunately, this is a reality for many immigrants. Some fear being misunderstood for their accents or fear getting the wrong diagnosis because of the lack of compassion from medical professionals towards them. According to the personal narrative by Dr. Aparicio, she says, doctors are doing “favors” to immigrant patients instead of providing care because immigrant patients are a “pain” for them to deal with. This features in “Colloquy.” When the doctor failed to show compassion to his patient, even though it is his profession. We often forget life is full of challenges. We have respect for each other to coexist in this world. 

The short story “Colloquy” by Jackson exposed me to the mental health side of the health disparities. At first, I did not see the resemblance between the story and my life. However, it has allowed me to become aware of mental health disparity in general and allowed the idea of questioning the ones in authority. My mother is back to being confident and becoming astute of her surroundings. This story has influenced me to explore my past and critique my actions on the way. 

Bibliography 

Cameron, Kenzie A, et al. “Gender Disparities in Health and Healthcare Use among Older Adults.” Journal of Women’s Health (2002), Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., Sept. 2010, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2965695/. 

Aparicio, Kimberly. “Asking for Care, Not Favors: Experience of Immigrants in the US Medical System.” Journal of Ethics | American Medical Association, American Medical Association, 1 Apr. 2008, journalofethics.ama-assn.org/article/asking-care-not-favors-experience-immigrants-us-medical-system/2008-04. 

Chubak, Barbara. “Clinical Responsibility in the Age of Patient Autonomy.” Journal of Ethics | American Medical Association, American Medical Association, 1 Aug. 2009, journalofethics.ama-assn.org/article/clinical-responsibility-age-patient-autonomy/2009-08.