Then again, with how much can be done casually by literally anyone who is on the ship, not just starfleet personnel, what even is privacy anymore in 2380?
I’ve often thought about that, too - there’s very little patient privacy. The Captain and First Officer (and supervisors in the chain of command) would need to know if someone is going to be out of commission for a few weeks because of an illness or whatever. And of course leadership needs to know if there’s a mutant virus running around.
But there are a lot of things that it’s like, wait, why is this random person here in the sickbay while we discuss Riker’s latest STD?
While I do agree that patient privacy is especially bad in the shows, I’ve overheard plenty of diagnoses while waiting in waiting rooms and emergency rooms. I don’t try to, but people aren’t as quiet as they thin they are I guess.
So yeah, I’ve absolutely heard some rando in the next bed over has chlamydia because they and their doctor were openly discussing it with 10 other people within earshot.
Yeah that’s definitely true. I’ve been in that situation, too.
But oddly enough strangers hearing about my medical issues is usually less disturbing to me than close friends. I know I should be able to trust the friends more.
Yeah, but who cares if some rando knows your butthole bleeds when you poo. You’re never gonna see them again, they will probably never think about it again.
But people you see every day, and interact with socially?
They see you every day and will probably be reminded of the thing they overheard every so often when they see you.
It is awkward.
But if they’re worthy of your time, they won’t go telling anyone else about it.
It just sits there in their brain.
They can’t un-know.
