In message <[log in to unmask]>, Jel Coward
<[log in to unmask]> writes
>>"RIF pain, appendicectomy, appendix normal" (ha!).
>>
>>So I wrote a couple of lines to the effect that my management was
>>entirely appropriate, which evidently has the mother spitting blood!
>>
>>Soon after, I recounted this sorry tale over the garden fence to my
>>neighbour who is an anaesthetist, and she told me that when she had to
>>gas for surgical emergencies most of the appendices removed were
>>normal,and she reckoned only about 30% were modereately inflammed, and
>>3% really awful.
>>
>>So there you are!
>>
>Are you happy to keep this woman on the list? I only have your words to
>base judgement on - but - her initial behaviour could be considered
>innappropriate - but let's overlook that because she was anxious for her
>childs life - but her behaviour afterwards sounds downright vindictive
>and malicious.
>
>Ok so you won.......this time.
>
>What happens when you are wrong? I would have difficulty maintaining a
>a safe and effective Dr-Pt relationship under such conditions.
>
Yes, that's a problem. But we are supposed to have a complaints
procedure and encourage patients to use it. Personally I think we are
too ready to roll over backwards and give patients the benefit of the
doubt when their complaint is downright unreasonable, as this one was
(and would have been even if the child had turned out to have
appendicitis in the end, since my clinical examination, history etc was
as thorough and carefully considered as it could have been).
So far she doesn't want to see me at all, and I think if she has lost
trust in me then she should find another GP. However we are reluctant in
general to remove patients from our list for any reason except violence
or abuse.
Cheers
Toby
--
Toby Lipman 7, Collingwood Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne. Tel
0191-2811060 (home), 0191-2437000 (surgery)
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|