A writer from Edinburgh has questioned 'out-dated' language used by gynaecologists at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (RIE).
Sara Sheridan, 53, visited the gynaecologist at the RIE on February 8 2022.
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She noticed that language such as “geriatric mothers” and “moth-eaten-wombs” were still used as descriptors for patients accessing care - something she found problematic.
Sara says that the care she received at the hospital was “excellent” and that her consultant and the nurses “were very kind” - especially after she had fainted.
But the author has said that she has an issue with the “outdated” and “unhelpful” medical descriptors that can often extend into the general vocabulary of everyday people when talking about women’s bodies.
She added that she was keen to open a dialogue with NHS Lothian in order to better improve the patient experience as language is important for those accessing health care.
On her experience accessing the gynaecologist, she said to Edinburgh Live: “This is a matter of outdated and unhelpful medical terminology that extends into our more general vocabulary when talking about women's bodies. We know how important language is to patient experience, expectation and recovery. So we need to instigate new medical terms for these conditions.”
In her Twitter post, Sara said: “I was in hospital yesterday & I have to say we need to revise the vocabulary used in gynaecology. Geriatric mothers. WHAT? (No I'm not pregnant: I'm 53) but also 'moth-eaten wombs' YES I have one of those. AKA a *normal' womb once a woman has had a kid & a few hundred periods.
“The care I received at the Royal Infirmary Edinburgh was excellent. The consultant and nurses were v kind esp when I passed out. Don't touch my cervix, ok? I have to go back in for a procedure soon. And to set up a campaign to change the way we talk about women's bodies. Yes.”
Sara reiterated the wonderful care that she received and said that she would be writing to NHS Lothian in relation to the language used.
It is understood that the term “geriatric mothers” is used across NHS Scotland and that “moth-eaten-wombs” is used as a descriptor within the industry.
NHS Lothian were contacted for comment but are unable to comment on individuals medical records and did not comment on the “outdated” nature of the gynaecologist terms.
