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Colour Blindness in Medicine
I've known for quite a while that I was colour blind, if you want to know what the world looks like to me, here's an example:
image made using vischeck (www.vischeck.com)
And I've known for quite a while that I want to study medicine and be a doctor.
I've only recently put those two facts together and realised that I'm going to have a lot of difficulties if I ever get to practice medicine, these are summed up on a website called www.colourmed.com (click the link for some more interesting examples) but for those of you who don't check the link.. I wouldn't be able to spot blood in a stool sample, It'd be tricky for me to notice when someone has a rash and most eye problems are impossible for me to see!
Of course, the GMC encourages people with any disability to practice medicine and train to become doctors, but with this realisation that I may find it difficult to do a lot of basic tasks that doctors and medical students are required to do, I'm starting to wondering if it will be even possible for me.
Does anyone else suffer from colour blindness who is currently in med-school or practicing? Can you share any advice?
For those of you that haven't got the condition would you mind if your doctor was colour-blind?
Discuss.
Edit: Some further sites discussing the topic: here and and here
Also, sorry for the slightly tabloid-style title, I was seeing if it got more readers
Original TSR logo
How I see the TSR logo
How I see the TSR logoimage made using vischeck (www.vischeck.com)
And I've known for quite a while that I want to study medicine and be a doctor.
I've only recently put those two facts together and realised that I'm going to have a lot of difficulties if I ever get to practice medicine, these are summed up on a website called www.colourmed.com (click the link for some more interesting examples) but for those of you who don't check the link.. I wouldn't be able to spot blood in a stool sample, It'd be tricky for me to notice when someone has a rash and most eye problems are impossible for me to see!
Of course, the GMC encourages people with any disability to practice medicine and train to become doctors, but with this realisation that I may find it difficult to do a lot of basic tasks that doctors and medical students are required to do, I'm starting to wondering if it will be even possible for me.
Does anyone else suffer from colour blindness who is currently in med-school or practicing? Can you share any advice?
For those of you that haven't got the condition would you mind if your doctor was colour-blind?
Discuss.
Edit: Some further sites discussing the topic: here and and here
Also, sorry for the slightly tabloid-style title, I was seeing if it got more readers
Scroll to see replies
Sorry I cant be of help, but do you see blood as green then?
JumpingJonny
Sorry I cant be of help, but do you see blood as green then?
To me blood is red, but red is also a very similar colour to brown, there are lots of things on the internet that can illustrate what the world looks like to colour-blind people, I have linked to them in my OP!
Chilledice
To me blood is red, but red is also a very similar colour to brown, there are lots of things on the internet that can illustrate what the world looks like to colour-blind people, I have linked to them in my OP!
Ah I see, shall take a look, thanks.
Well.Personally,I don't mind if my GP is color blind.The reason is because usually the patients that seek help from GP only have minor illnesses such as cough,rashes and diabetes.This means that should the doctor miss out anything during his diagonsis.The harm causes by the GP may possibly be minimal as compared to a surgeon.
For a surgeon, surgerical works involve more risks and difficulties.At times,the surgeon may face unexpected problem(s) during the surgery and he/she actually has to identify and solve the problem(s) at the shortest possible time since a life is at stake.As such,I think that color blindness greatly impedes the surgeon performance.
Having say that,I would mind if my surgeon is colorblind but not GP.Anyway,don't be disheartened because of your color blindness problem.I believe that you will still be able to be a great doctor despite the problem you face.I believe you probably will just face more difficulties than the others.Think of those blind prominent musicians..They still manage to achieve great success despite their disabilities.
For a surgeon, surgerical works involve more risks and difficulties.At times,the surgeon may face unexpected problem(s) during the surgery and he/she actually has to identify and solve the problem(s) at the shortest possible time since a life is at stake.As such,I think that color blindness greatly impedes the surgeon performance.
Having say that,I would mind if my surgeon is colorblind but not GP.Anyway,don't be disheartened because of your color blindness problem.I believe that you will still be able to be a great doctor despite the problem you face.I believe you probably will just face more difficulties than the others.Think of those blind prominent musicians..They still manage to achieve great success despite their disabilities.
Crystalline
Well.Personally,I don't mind if my GP is color blind.The reason is because usually the patients that seek help from GP only have minor illnesses such as cough,rashes and diabetes.This means that should the doctor miss out anything during his diagonsis.The harm causes by the GP may possibly be minimal as compared to a surgeon.
For a surgeon, surgerical works involve more risks and difficulties.At times,the surgeon may face unexpected problem(s) during the surgery and he/she actually has to identify and solve the problem(s) at the shortest possible time since a life is at stake.As such,I think that color blindness greatly impedes the surgeon performance.
Having say that,I would mind if my surgeon is colorblind but not GP.Anyway,don't be disheartened because of your color blindness problem.I believe that you will still be able to be a great doctor despite the problem you face.I believe you probably will just face more difficulties than the others.Think of those blind prominent musicians..They still manage to achieve great success despite their disabilities.
For a surgeon, surgerical works involve more risks and difficulties.At times,the surgeon may face unexpected problem(s) during the surgery and he/she actually has to identify and solve the problem(s) at the shortest possible time since a life is at stake.As such,I think that color blindness greatly impedes the surgeon performance.
Having say that,I would mind if my surgeon is colorblind but not GP.Anyway,don't be disheartened because of your color blindness problem.I believe that you will still be able to be a great doctor despite the problem you face.I believe you probably will just face more difficulties than the others.Think of those blind prominent musicians..They still manage to achieve great success despite their disabilities.
********
The GP is the one who decides if it is serious or not. Patients don't have a clue.
Plus there is 'short term' serious and 'long term' serious.
In no way shape or form is diabetes a 'minor' illness!!!
My GP is colourblind! I've got no problem with it. But when he needs a second opinion on something he struggles to see, he just asks the GP next door to him and I haven't got a problem with that either. I'd rather he do that then keep quiet, try to diagnose me but get it wrong. Not to say that you would!!
Crystalline is right though. I don't think it should stop you going into medicine. You may be limited somewhat in certain routes but it's a massive area where you can find something to specialise in that maybe you're more comfortable with, or don't require so much visual colour recognition? You've got to have confidence!
Crystalline is right though. I don't think it should stop you going into medicine. You may be limited somewhat in certain routes but it's a massive area where you can find something to specialise in that maybe you're more comfortable with, or don't require so much visual colour recognition? You've got to have confidence!
i don't mind as long as it doesn't involve a serious blood infection or something similar
Ahhh I have the same problem, I'm red/green colour deficient and blue/purple.. a quite severe form of deuteranopia..
It would be very difficult indeed, but don't let something insignificant as colour blindnesss stop you from achieving your dreams. As for me having a GP with colour blindness i don't mind
because doctors usually talk anyways lol
because doctors usually talk anyways lol
Jamie
********
The GP is the one who decides if it is serious or not. Patients don't have a clue.
Plus there is 'short term' serious and 'long term' serious.
In no way shape or form is diabetes a 'minor' illness!!!
The GP is the one who decides if it is serious or not. Patients don't have a clue.
Plus there is 'short term' serious and 'long term' serious.
In no way shape or form is diabetes a 'minor' illness!!!
I dont understand why you have to be rude. I am just offering my own opinions to OP.(okay Diabetes is not an apt example for minor illness.)
The kind of patients the GP usually see are those with minor illnesses .such as flu,backache and cough.This was what my GP told me as well.
yes yes yes.The doctor is the one who deduces the severity of the illnesses.Even if such cases arise and the color blind doc is unsure abt the diagnosis ..The doctor can still seek assistance from other clinical staffs just like what MessyEater mentioned.It wont be such a major issue as compared to a surgeon who needs to solve the prob in the shortest possible time(bcos anesthesia will wear off,etc).
My contention is it is still possible for OP to be a doctor despite the color blindness disability.
Crystalline
The kind of patients the GP usually see are those with minor illnesses .such as flu,backache and cough.
The kind of patients the GP usually see are those with minor illnesses .such as flu,backache and cough.
That's only because very major illnesses are rare, and flu, backache and cough are commonplace. The GP is one of the most important people in picking up serious illness.
If there's a lump in your breast do you go to the GP or to a surgeon?
If you have blood in your stools do you go to the GP or a surgeon?
If your child has a headache and has been vomiting with a bit of a fever, GP or surgeon?
If there's a tremor in your hand do you go to your GP or a surgeon?
All of those can be indicators for major disease, and it is the GPs role to determine whether it is serious or not. Your first post really couldn't be much further off the mark.
Also.. a surgeon works in a team (someone is gonna spot the haemorrhage), it will usually be up to a GP alone to spot (or miss) a very important symptom.
Crystalline
I dont understand why you have to be rude. I am just offering my own opinions to OP.(okay Diabetes is not an apt example for minor illness.)
The kind of patients the GP usually see are those with minor illnesses .such as flu,backache and cough.This was what my GP told me as well.
yes yes yes.The doctor is the one who deduces the severity of the illnesses.Even if such cases arise and the color blind doc is unsure abt the diagnosis ..The doctor can still seek assistance from other clinical staffs just like what MessyEater mentioned.It wont be such a major issue as compared to a surgeon who needs to solve the prob in the shortest possible time(bcos anesthesia will wear off,etc).
My contention is it is still possible for OP to be a doctor despite the color blindness disability.
The kind of patients the GP usually see are those with minor illnesses .such as flu,backache and cough.This was what my GP told me as well.
yes yes yes.The doctor is the one who deduces the severity of the illnesses.Even if such cases arise and the color blind doc is unsure abt the diagnosis ..The doctor can still seek assistance from other clinical staffs just like what MessyEater mentioned.It wont be such a major issue as compared to a surgeon who needs to solve the prob in the shortest possible time(bcos anesthesia will wear off,etc).
My contention is it is still possible for OP to be a doctor despite the color blindness disability.
How do you think those patients with serious illnesses are referred on to see consultants etc.?
Well first off, my head tutor is colour blind in about the most serious way as you can get. He was a clinician for a while, and Im sure was a great one. Without a doubt he has made an incredible contribution to medicine, both in research and in teaching, so for me, colour blindness should not be seen as a block to practice.
Crystalline
I dont understand why you have to be rude. I am just offering my own opinions to OP.(okay Diabetes is not an apt example for minor illness.)
The kind of patients the GP usually see are those with minor illnesses .such as flu,backache and cough.This was what my GP told me as well.
yes yes yes.The doctor is the one who deduces the severity of the illnesses.Even if such cases arise and the color blind doc is unsure abt the diagnosis ..The doctor can still seek assistance from other clinical staffs just like what MessyEater mentioned.It wont be such a major issue as compared to a surgeon who needs to solve the prob in the shortest possible time(bcos anesthesia will wear off,etc).
My contention is it is still possible for OP to be a doctor despite the color blindness disability.
The kind of patients the GP usually see are those with minor illnesses .such as flu,backache and cough.This was what my GP told me as well.
yes yes yes.The doctor is the one who deduces the severity of the illnesses.Even if such cases arise and the color blind doc is unsure abt the diagnosis ..The doctor can still seek assistance from other clinical staffs just like what MessyEater mentioned.It wont be such a major issue as compared to a surgeon who needs to solve the prob in the shortest possible time(bcos anesthesia will wear off,etc).
My contention is it is still possible for OP to be a doctor despite the color blindness disability.
Lol, the aneasthesia will wear off? You know why they have anaesthetists in the theatre right?
Crystalline
minor illnesses such as....diabetes.
Crystalline
I dont understand why you have to be rude. I am just offering my own opinions to OP.(okay Diabetes is not an apt example for minor illness.)
The kind of patients the GP usually see are those with minor illnesses .such as flu,backache and cough.This was what my GP told me as well.
yes yes yes.The doctor is the one who deduces the severity of the illnesses.Even if such cases arise and the color blind doc is unsure abt the diagnosis ..The doctor can still seek assistance from other clinical staffs just like what MessyEater mentioned.It wont be such a major issue as compared to a surgeon who needs to solve the prob in the shortest possible time(bcos anesthesia will wear off,etc).
My contention is it is still possible for OP to be a doctor despite the color blindness disability.
The kind of patients the GP usually see are those with minor illnesses .such as flu,backache and cough.This was what my GP told me as well.
yes yes yes.The doctor is the one who deduces the severity of the illnesses.Even if such cases arise and the color blind doc is unsure abt the diagnosis ..The doctor can still seek assistance from other clinical staffs just like what MessyEater mentioned.It wont be such a major issue as compared to a surgeon who needs to solve the prob in the shortest possible time(bcos anesthesia will wear off,etc).
My contention is it is still possible for OP to be a doctor despite the color blindness disability.
Jamie is a frigging doctor, why are you trying to teach him to suck eggs?
Chilledice
I've known for quite a while that I was colour blind, if you want to know what the world looks like to me, here's an example:
image made using vischeck (www.vischeck.com)
And I've known for quite a while that I want to study medicine and be a doctor.
I've only recently put those two facts together and realised that I'm going to have a lot of difficulties if I ever get to practice medicine, these are summed up on a website called www.colourmed.com (click the link for some more interesting examples) but for those of you who don't check the link.. I wouldn't be able to spot blood in a stool sample, It'd be tricky for me to notice when someone has a rash and most eye problems are impossible for me to see!
Of course, the GMC encourages people with any disability to practice medicine and train to become doctors, but with this realisation that I may find it difficult to do a lot of basic tasks that doctors and medical students are required to do, I'm starting to wondering if it will be even possible for me.
Does anyone else suffer from colour blindness who is currently in med-school or practicing? Can you share any advice?
For those of you that haven't got the condition would you mind if your doctor was colour-blind?
Discuss.
Edit: Some further sites discussing the topic: here and and here
Also, sorry for the slightly tabloid-style title, I was seeing if it got more readers
Original TSR logo
How I see the TSR logo
How I see the TSR logoimage made using vischeck (www.vischeck.com)
And I've known for quite a while that I want to study medicine and be a doctor.
I've only recently put those two facts together and realised that I'm going to have a lot of difficulties if I ever get to practice medicine, these are summed up on a website called www.colourmed.com (click the link for some more interesting examples) but for those of you who don't check the link.. I wouldn't be able to spot blood in a stool sample, It'd be tricky for me to notice when someone has a rash and most eye problems are impossible for me to see!
Of course, the GMC encourages people with any disability to practice medicine and train to become doctors, but with this realisation that I may find it difficult to do a lot of basic tasks that doctors and medical students are required to do, I'm starting to wondering if it will be even possible for me.
Does anyone else suffer from colour blindness who is currently in med-school or practicing? Can you share any advice?
For those of you that haven't got the condition would you mind if your doctor was colour-blind?
Discuss.
Edit: Some further sites discussing the topic: here and and here
Also, sorry for the slightly tabloid-style title, I was seeing if it got more readers
feel so sorry for you!!!
Lol I think my dad has this; he can't tell the difference between green and blue. 
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