Blog #3

In his article “The Trouble With Medicine’s Metaphors,” Dhruv Khullar dissects the idea of using “military” metaphors in a medical setting and what affects it has on a patient. While one patient may prefer to consider themselves in a “fight” with an illness, another may struggle with the idea. How someone reacts to or creates a metaphor towards a disease coincides with their outlook on life. “. . .patients who view their disease as an “enemy” tend to have higher levels of depression and anxiety, and poorer quality of life than those who ascribe a more positive meaning.” Khullar also provides research and experiments that have been conducted regarding this idea. Khullar’s ideas all come together to explain that life is all about perspective, and the same is true when faced with death. Metaphors can help communicate this depending on one’s outlook.

“The Trouble With Medicine’s Metaphors” is a very interesting article that brings up many great points as to the link between doctors, patients, and language. How a physician explains diagnosis, treatment, or anything has a great influence on the patient. Though it may be easier for them to understand, Khullar also includes how it can negatively impact one’s mindset. Dhruv Khullar also includes many studies and experiments conducted and, though they are very interesting, I felt that some of them did not have any effect on the essay itself and weren’t needed to be included.

• Dhruv Khullar: “Ultimately, any metaphor—military or otherwise—is not inherently good or bad. Rather, the utility of each depends on a patient’s culture, values, experiences, and preferences. Metaphors allow doctors to develop a common language with patients, and offer patients an avenue to express their emotions and exert agency over their conditions.”
  •  Life is influenced by perspective and perspective is influenced by experiences. Metaphor is also effected by these things, and also differ from person to person.
• Michael Erard: “My metaphors close the gap in people’s ability to grasp something, or speed up what they’re already on track to see.”
  • All three articles agree in metaphors help create better understandings for other.
• James Geary: “Metaphor matters because it creates expectations.”
  • Metaphors can influence someone’s ability to make connections and find understandings. They can target anywhere from a specific person or a whole population.