PATIENT:
adjective: bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint
noun: an individual awaiting or under medical care and treatment
from Merriam-Webster Online
Photo by frances 1972
But, like it or not, the world is filled with situations where we commonly have to do so. Sometimes the waits are excusable and even predictable, and other times they are not. At most doctors’ offices, one can expect to wait to varying degrees beyond their scheduled appointment time. It’s predictable. But is it excusable?
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I used to have a more “normal” job.
Early in my career I worked in a large medical center and hospital and rotated through a call schedule. I got called into the ER regularly. I covered the inpatient unit and performed consultations on the medical and surgical units. I did all of the typical work tasks associated with a traditional practice.
Then I left it all.
I started working half-time in correctional psychiatry. I have worked in various other less traditional settings to fill the other half of my schedule over the years, but most of it has been spent working with people with developmental disabilities.
My work life is
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A few months ago I performed an inpatient consultation on a non-incarcerated patient. His psychiatric care was being managed by a neurologist in another community.
I was shocked and disappointed when his family informed me that the neurologist told them that if the patient sought a medical opinion elsewhere, the neurologist would no longer treat the patient.
Even on a bad day I cannot fathom exuding such arrogance and insecurity! Hopefully this doctor’s attitude about second opinions is the exception and not the rule among physicians. However, this situation sparked my curiosity about second opinions.
Throughout my career, I’ve often encouraged my patients to obtain second opinions, either when
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