Natalie Dale, Medicine in Writing

Dr. Natalie Dale, a former neurologist and author of a two-volume book series, A Writer’s Guide to
Medicine
, presented her talk from the library meeting room and screen-shared her presentation for library and Zoom participants. Natalie’s notes can be found online by clicking here: https://www.portlandwritersmill.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Code-Blue-Handout.pdf

Natalie’s purpose for the program was to enable writers, in any genre, to accurately depict medicine, from symptoms to effects, to emergency treatment and hospital care, and results of various injuries and illnesses. She addressed medical basics, beginning with signs of airway occlusion and breathing difficulties. She proceeded to provide information on circulation and bleeding, both external and internal signs. She discussed medications, means of application, and speed of effectiveness. (These would apply to poisonings, too, in cases of murder mysteries!) Consciousness and various types of amnesia were discussed, as well as comas.

Natalie warned writers that stories can influence reality, so accuracy in writing is important. She mentioned cliches in medical stories, such as what often appear in TV series. Among her “pet peeves” are CPR patients returning to functionality too quickly and the easy appearance of giving CPR. According to Natalie, giving CPR is exhausting and bones are broken if given correctly. Symptoms of blood loss—at 40% a victim passes out, at 50% they die.

Other cliches: Medication injected into the neck is not credible; instead use intra-muscular or intravenous. When a person is knocked unconscious, brief unconsciousness is tenable. After several hours, treatment is needed. There are various types of amnesia. Lay people can refer to a “medically induced coma” but medical professionals call it “therapeutic coma.” The recovery from brain-injury coma is gradual, if at all. She stressed that people do not quickly “wake up” from a coma, even though these miracles are portrayed in TV series.

Natalie provided a list of resources for medical information, including the two books in her series. And she provided a handout of her presentation to Sheila. (See this handout following the conclusion of these Minutes.) Natalie’s email address is Nataliedaleauthor@gmail.com, and you can find more information on her website at  www.nataliedaleauthor.com. She offers a newsletter to those who sign up there.

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