At 09:24 PM 2/8/98 +0000, you wrote:
>I lost the battle with him, and I'm sure I've also lost the war - I can't
>see me getting anywhere with any attempts at patient education. So what do I
>do? Give in each time, suggest they find another doctor, remove them from
>the list, or simply stand my ground and tough it out next time?
>
>Offers please,
First of all, I sympathize with you. We've all had visits like this one.
If my feeling is that the doctor-patient relationship is irreparably gone,
I do this:
I cover myself by giving the antibiotics requested. (There's nothing
worse than being right about winning the battle but losing the war. The
bad taste that prescribing an unnecessary antibiotic leaves is nothing
compared to the further headache of having patient wind up in hospital
--which could still happen, anyway--and listen to the harangue that follows
for the next week.)
Then while patient and father still present, I explain that their lack of
confidence has irreparably impaired the doctor-patient relationship and
withdraw from their care--following whatever local guidelines you must do
to proctect yourself legally.
While you may still grumble about no good deed going unpunished, at least
you won't have to continue to deal with people who won't listen to reason.
----------------------
Kenneth B. Levites, M.D. voice 516-567-0770
Family Medicine fax 516-567-0799
Kenneth B. Levites, M.D., P.C. net [log in to unmask]
Seven Montauk Highway
West Sayville NY USA 11796-1801
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