doctor , but seeing many others besides . “ Do I call my neurologist for my splitting headache ? Or maybe my allergist for my sinus ? My family doctor follows my diabetes and my weight . When I have chest pain , should I go to my cardiologist , and for joint pain , my rheumatologist ? When should I call my family doctor instead ?”
Thus confused , they talk to endless impersonal machines that send them to the ER or to call their primary doctor who , of course , are not available at that particular time because that is what they are trying to do ! It can be a frustrating and sometimes dangerous merry-go-round , especially for fragile geriatric multi-dosed patients and for supposedly robust individuals who boast of having never seen the inside of a doctor ’ s office , but develop a frightening health crisis for the first time in their lives .
It is a relief then , when after talking to the machines and pushing the right buttons , human voices emerge . These are important adjunct people who man the phones and hopefully are knowledgeable enough to determine whether the call should be referred to the physician they are asking for or to his surrogate . They might also , unlike the machines , offer unique alternatives . They are the lifelines that patients depend upon to connect them to necessary treatment .
If one does end up in an ER , one would expect that those who register you can judge the severity of your complaint and act accordingly . But , may it not be asking too much of these personnel to determine who is having a stroke , a heart attack , hypotension due to severe dehydration , or is dying before their very eyes ? It could be an impending laryngeal edema from a bee sting , or someone needing immediate ventilation . After all , they are not as well-trained as doctors are , to have a clinical eye ; I worry they may give priority to the loudest complainers instead . It ’ s not a bad idea to remind them you have not yet been attended to by a doctor , or if urgent – consider just taking off like the lady who drove her husband elsewhere , to seek quicker relief .
The moral behind these convoluted examples being , “ Never underestimate the importance and responsibilities of the person who says , “ May I help you ?” at the end of a phone line when you ask for a doctor . Pay close attention , you at the front end of any screening , whom you choose to be seen first or last : upon your interpretation of the gravity or urgency of this complaint , may depend on the early treatment and outcome of your patient ’ s illness . These people , the new lifeline of patients to access their physicians , must always be available , hopefully be very knowledgeable , be reliable to the best of their ability , and up to their tasks at all times . That is asking a lot !
Best of luck ! Dr . Oropilla is a retired psychiatrist .
PROFESSIONAL ANNOUNCEMENT PACKAGE
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Are you opening a new satellite office ?
Are you moving to a new office location ?
The GLMS Professional Announcement Package provides mailings and printed announcements in the monthly publications to let your colleagues know about changes in your practice .
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CONTACT Cheri McGuire , Director of Marketing 502.736.6336 cheri . mcguire @ glms . org
MAY 2017 17