The spam filter installed on this site is currently unavailable. Per site policy, we are unable to accept new submissions until that problem is resolved. Please try resubmitting the form in a couple of minutes.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on April 19, 2010 - 3:21pm.
As a primary care doctor I sympathize. The response from the doc was heavy handed but appropiate. Day in, day out I have patients that mention the dreaded "By the way" as we are concluding our visit. Or the similar "While I am here..." "My wife says I have to mention...." at the end of the visit. Many of these are addressed in a professional manner but some...!
Imagine going to your mechanic for an oil change (routine maintainence) and while the car is on the lift say hey while your in there check the brakes -They make a horrible sound (problem based symptom).
Ethically you don't want anyone to get hurt so you do the service and CHARGE for it. You don't give it away. I'm always pissed at the labor change for the mechanic, washer repair man (Really 60 min minimum for service call) but I accept that I am not trained to do these things or do them right.
As a physician my skill is my ability to sort out illness/disease and treat as needed or possible. If you ask me at a cookout to look at something or about your particular case then you are stealing my livelihood. Kind of.
FYI- My guess is that the writer was not discharged for this one occurance. Many of my pain in the ass patients are tolerated for years before a straw breaks the camel's back. You just iced the cake that day.
I will try this new concept on my employees first. "SInce you are already here I am going to have you work an extra hour and I don't want to pay you any extra for it." "It would be unethical for you to leave and deny care to my patients."
I will also ask my dentist while he is pulling my tooth that he go ahead and pull the other one for the same charge and that then point out to him it is is unethical to charge me more for doing so.
In fairness I will put a fresh fish market white board out front to advertise my daily rates. Sore throat $40, Physical exam $80, Fibromyalgia $750. Listening to all your whining about health care costs, drug cost, gas prices-still seeing you (beyond your scheduled time)-foregoing a paycheck when my office can't meet payroll---Priceless. No really, no price-It was probably given to you by me for free.
As a primary care doctor I
As a primary care doctor I sympathize. The response from the doc was heavy handed but appropiate. Day in, day out I have patients that mention the dreaded "By the way" as we are concluding our visit. Or the similar "While I am here..." "My wife says I have to mention...." at the end of the visit. Many of these are addressed in a professional manner but some...!
Imagine going to your mechanic for an oil change (routine maintainence) and while the car is on the lift say hey while your in there check the brakes -They make a horrible sound (problem based symptom).
Ethically you don't want anyone to get hurt so you do the service and CHARGE for it. You don't give it away. I'm always pissed at the labor change for the mechanic, washer repair man (Really 60 min minimum for service call) but I accept that I am not trained to do these things or do them right.
As a physician my skill is my ability to sort out illness/disease and treat as needed or possible. If you ask me at a cookout to look at something or about your particular case then you are stealing my livelihood. Kind of.
FYI- My guess is that the writer was not discharged for this one occurance. Many of my pain in the ass patients are tolerated for years before a straw breaks the camel's back. You just iced the cake that day.
I will try this new concept on my employees first. "SInce you are already here I am going to have you work an extra hour and I don't want to pay you any extra for it." "It would be unethical for you to leave and deny care to my patients."
I will also ask my dentist while he is pulling my tooth that he go ahead and pull the other one for the same charge and that then point out to him it is is unethical to charge me more for doing so.
In fairness I will put a fresh fish market white board out front to advertise my daily rates. Sore throat $40, Physical exam $80, Fibromyalgia $750. Listening to all your whining about health care costs, drug cost, gas prices-still seeing you (beyond your scheduled time)-foregoing a paycheck when my office can't meet payroll---Priceless. No really, no price-It was probably given to you by me for free.