AIBU to wonder why the hospital asked who I live with?

[Flowerpower70]

A few months ago I was hospitalised for severe anaemia. I've received treatment and no longer anaemic. Severe flooding periods are the cause and diet which I am working on and getting hysterectomy hopefully.
I had to go for appointment at hospital re an abscess whilst there a doctor asked who I live with even though I wasn't having an op?
I'm 48 with no health issues apart from the anaemia which is now ok. No MH issues or DV issues, so why would they ask this.
Is it because I'm over a certain age ( my friend of 37 wasn't asked if she lived alone?)or classed as vulnerable or something because of the anaemia or is this usual practice?
I thought only elderly people with mobility issues would be asked who they live with.

I don't think it's because of your age or vulnerability to be honest.

I've noticed I'm regularly asked that at my over the telephone hospital appointments I have twice a year and I've had those since I was early 30s.

I think it's just something that they ask at medical appointments.

It could be to determine any number of things - are you responsible for small children or a vulnerable aging parent at home? Is there anyone who can help you if you collapse? Can someone else prepare you a meal?

I think it's a standard question to find out about your background. I'd imagine they ask everyone.

Was he asking you other questions or was it totally random?
If he was taking a history then he would be asking questions and “social history “ is part of that.

Standard question to gain an idea about a person’s social support/home set up.

Yes, I think it's this. I got asked it too when I was in hospital, it's just all part of a bigger picture to identify any risk factors and what help you might need. They also asked me what I do for work.

Maybe they're trying to protect themselves, you and anyone you care for from anything that might result from discharging you to an unsafe environment.

I've been asked this most of tg
he time over tge last 20 years. Imoin my mid fifties now. I think it is the realisation that many people live alone. This probably would not have featured on people's radar 30 years ago.

It's a standard question where I work, everybody gets asked.

They asked me other questions ie where I work as well but when they asked who I live with I thought they might think I was maybe not capable to look after myself .

Thanks I not used to being asked I thought maybe I came across as vulnerable or something with having severe anaemia..

In that case he was doing his job properly and taking a full history. Medicine is not just about the presenting complaint, it’s about the whole person/lifestyle etc

They asked me other questions ie where I work as well but when they asked who I live with I thought they might think I was maybe not capable to look after myself

Are you the main carer for anyone ? Do they need to do a referral to social services to help take the load off ?
Do you have a support network ? If you are incapacitated who is going to do your shopping ?
What sort of job do you do and will whatever you are being treated for have an impact safety wise ? Do you need a fit note ?
We ask questions not because we think you are incapable but because we need to safety net you and anyone who you might be responsible for.

It part of normal/routine history taking to look at all aspects of your life and potentially flag areas where you might benefit from support or need a different approach.

If say you'd just escaped domestic violence and lived in a woman's refuge with your 3 toddlers sleeping in 1 bed, that is different to someone with a strong family network/partner for support etc.

Oh I see what you mean now thanks for clarifying.

I have a yearly review at the GP and it’s a standard question, as others have said around dependants/caring responsibilities etc

Seems to be the new question to ask. Once it used to be how’s your sex life and associated questions. Now it’s your support system / who you live with. Last time I replied no one - husband had just died (they knew it’s on the system) and got told to get a boyfriend so I had ‘support’. I’m 54, husband dead less than 6 months, after a 35 year relationship. 🤷‍♀️

Possibly but not always. I'll never forget the F2 in A&E saying "well you're over 60, so I assume you are retired". Er no.

"Do you live in a house?" Yep. "Does it have stairs?" Yep, and I thought you blethering idio, I've just told you I live in a house; houses have stairs"

I think some clinicians make assumptions before they ask questions which rather defeats the object.

When medical students are taught to take a history, this is the format they use:-

• PC: Presenting Complaint
• HPC: History of Presenting Complaint
• PMH :Past Medical History
• FH : Family History
• DH : Drug History (basically prescribed meds)
• SH : Social History
• SR: Systems Review
• ICE: Ideas, Concerns, and Expectations

Who you live with is part of the social history.

You could live in the ground floor flat of a house

I was asked this after my recent surgery as well as my occupation, medications and whether I smoked. It’s standard and nothing to be concerned about. I didn’t give it a second thought.

Social History can include- where you live, who you live with (are they well or experiencing similar symptoms to you), whether you feel safe at home, whether you have dependents and how caring impacts you, how you carry out or manage every day tasks (washing/dressing/shopping), where and how you sleep, whether you smoke, drink alcohol, what job you do and how you manage it etc etc, whether you exercise and how often, whether you have pets (especially relevant re birds, bedding and dander etc for allergies and respiratory conditions.

It's part of gaining a fuller picture to better help you

Well, having severe anaemia would make you vulnerable….. wouldn’t it?

They ask everyone, I've been asked everytime I've been in hospital

Standard question because discharging to a home with a competent adult able to look after you and keep an eye is different to being on your own. Dh had an op 2 years ago and same day discharge was only available if you could be collected and had someone to watch over you

I’m asked all the time, as a young healthy person. It’s because they need to make sure someone is with you in case anything happens