At 01:06 31/01/98 -0000, you wrote:
>We need to apply tough love to our patients AND to our receptionists (who
>often side with the expectation of a visit) AND to our partners because it
>is hard to say NO I AM NOT COMING. I no longer find it hard but I recognise
>that many do. Believe me the rewards are great.
Great story working for the local co-op this weekend. Patient rings up at
04:15 "I can't sleep, I need the Dr to come and give me something.". In
my ever diligent role of trying to protect the Dr. from unnecessary phone
calls I suggested Horlicks, but they were insistant they get a contact, so
I woke the Dr.. Dr. phones patient back (not one of his own) and says
"Good morning Mrs Jones, Are you trying to start an epidemic? That's three
of us who can't sleep now." I could have cheered.
Poor sod, he had only been back in bed for forty minutes and the phone rang
again. This time, father had just got home from nightshift, and found 18
month old daughter vomiting and crying. He also wanted the Dr. to visit.
I suggested he attend PCC if he was concerned about his daughter, but he
said he couldn't drive because he had been at work for six (yes, six) hours
and was tired. I said the Dr. had been at work for 11 hours and had 4 more
to go, and that perhaps he could come down at 7.30am. You guessed it - no
luck, ended up waking the Dr., only for him to tell father that no contact
had been necessary and that 18 month old babies do vomit.
A protective receptionist, but still no good.
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Nicholas David JENKINS [Undergraduate 96] ([log in to unmask])
Imperial College School of Medicine at St.Mary's
Norfolk Place, LONDON W2 1PG
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