Iris Thiele Isip Tan MD, MSc

Thanks everyone for joining the #healthxph chat! Enjoy the rest of your weekend! @bonedocph.bsky.social @jkatzaman.bsky.social @helenvmadamba.bsky.social @stephaniemiaco.bsky.social

T3 Even if not sure, the "yet" shows the doctor continues to look at the problem and is not giving up. #HealthXPh

T3. I don't know if its the kindest. All i know is that saying "i don't know" when you really don't know may actually save lives. Awareness of what we can or can't do with something we actually don't know is a tough skill. #healthxph

T3. Tell the truth … because the patient needs to know what is true. How to do it kindly is the challenge. #healthxph Perhaps more emphasis on communication in med school?

T2 The most reassuring thing for me as a patient is a doctor talking plainly without medical jargon -- or at least being willing to explain what things mean. Many times we're both trying to figure things out. #HealthXPh

Let’s go to T3. #healthxph

T2. Same. But I say up front, "i don't know yet, because is something new to my practice or is beyond my expertise". But I go back to patient and say what I gather from colleagues who are expert on that particular case. #healthxph

T2. I think what’s difficult is when workup needs a sequence with dependent or intermediate steps. The suspense does not help the patient … or the doctor. #healthxph

Do you think the patient might not take it well … as too harsh? #healthxph

Let’s go to T2. #healthxph
In medical school, we’re trained to commit to a diagnosis but have differentials. But unlike med school where we usually learn from typical cases, we encounter the unusual cases in clinical practice. I find myself constructing an algorithm to think things through.

What? Who said that? #healthxph

So if you think they can’t take it, you soften what you say? #healthxph

Hi Helen! Been a long day :)
#healthxph

But how do you communicate uncertainty? Do you hedge? #healthxph

So what do you say? #healthxph

Do surgeons still say this? @bonedocph.bsky.social #healthxph

I’ve never heard it said when there was a higher chance of survival. Patient’s relatives get told this because it’s “touch and go.” #healthxph

T1. In Filipino, 50-50 may not actually convey 50% chance of surviving or does that depend on the listener? Is the cup half empty or half full? #healthxph

Here’s T1. Are you online @akolangto.bsky.social @kapetayo.bsky.social ?
#healthxph

Do doctors still say “50-50” when talking about the odds of survival? I wonder if that’s distinctly Filipino? #healthxph

Hello Remo! Topic is not AI tonight though it was brainstormed with Claude. #healthxph

I Don’t Know: The Hardest Thing A Doctor Can Say “50-50 po ang pasyente natin.” When did I last hear that said? When did I last say it myself? I remember more than a decade ago, I did say that to the daughter of my patient. My elderly…

#HealthXPH pre-chat blog post here

www.endocrine-witch.net/2026/02/21/i...

Hello Jim! #healthxph

Hi Steph! My blog site was acting up.
#healthxph

I’m here! Sorry to be late to the #healthxph chat!!

You're back! Actually, I'm moderating this Saturday. Wala pa akong topic actually. #healthxph

Always, you make me think :) @bonedocph.bsky.social every time you moderate the #healthxph chat. Thanks!!

T3. I'd like to think so ... though I've gone down paths I never imagined at the start. Like ehealth, health informatics, AI. #healthxph

Sometimes I would have dinner time Zoom meetings. He would refuse to eat and wait for me! #healthxph Alam mo na what this means.

Yep!! He's more well rounded and grounded than me. #healthxph