Do You Think This is a Bit Nervy?

[DancingBear]

No, he has learned not to do that long ago, because someone always calls.

A doctor runs into a lawyer at a cocktail party, and says "Hey, maybe you have this same problem. I find that whenever I'm at some social event like this, as soon as people find out I'm a doctor, they start telling me about their medical problems, trying to get some free medical advice. Does that happen to you?"

The lawyer says "Yeah, that used to happen all of the time, but I started a practice of sending people a bill the next day for my advice, and it's really much less of a problem now."

The doc replies "That's a great idea!"

A couple of days later, the doc gets a bill from the lawyer.

 

[JessicaR]

Yep, a little balsy.

Not quite as balsy as the person who called and wanted me to read her "CT scan" (it was a DVD copy they gave her) and tell her what was wrong with her, because her OWN CARE PROVIDER couldn't see her for a couple of days.....

#1, I don't READ CT DVDs
#2, you are NOT my patient.

Nothing anyone does surprises me anymore.

That all depends on the relationship you have with said person that called you. But the obvious answer is you dont read CT DVD's.

 

[crz4mm2]

That all depends on the relationship you have with said person that called you. But the obvious answer is you dont read CT DVD's.

Well, no, I don't read CTs, but I also have NO relationship with the person. That was the big point.

 

[JessicaR]

Well, no, I don't read CTs, but I also have NO relationship with the person. That was the big point.

It wasnt clear that you had no relationship with the person. I guess some people feel they have nothing to lose by asking. The worst that can happen is they will be told no.

 

[laurie31]

Well, no, I don't read CTs, but I also have NO relationship with the person. That was the big point.

Exactly. Even if you DID read CTs it would be inappropriate for you to read a non-patient's CT and give them a diagnosis!

I have people ask me for prescriptions! I'm an NP and there are VERY strict laws in this state governing our prescriptive privileges. I *can't* just write you something to save you a $20 trip to your provider. Well, I could, but if I'm caught, I could lose my license, and sorry, I don't love you that much!



I'm wondering if the lady described by the OP was maybe wanting some reassurance about the safety of the vaccines from someone she trusted? Although I'm thinking 10 days before a trip is cutting it pretty close to get vaccinated. The CDC recommends an appointment with a travel clinic 4-6 weeks before the trip, and just the yellow fever vaccine can cause side effects lasting 5-10 days.

Common Adverse Events

Reported events typically include low-grade fever, headache, and myalgias that begin within days after vaccination and last 5–10 days.

I wouldn't want to be feeling like that and deal with jet lag too!

It sounds like the son has left things 'til the last minute! Makes me wonder if he has a passport! LOL!

 

[disney1990]

Dawn - I am anxious to hear what your DH said about this situation when he gets home. I hope she was just an over worried Mom looking for some reassurance.

I don't know how long you have been going to see her at the dentist office, but I know that after years of going to our dentist, discussing family and problems was often done. However, it had been well over 10 years of visits by both DH and me.

 

[crz4mm2]

Exactly. Even if you DID read CTs it would be inappropriate for you to read a non-patient's CT and give them a diagnosis!

I have people ask me for prescriptions! I'm an NP and there are VERY strict laws in this state governing our prescriptive privileges. I *can't* just write you something to save you a $20 trip to your provider. Well, I could, but if I'm caught, I could lose my license, and sorry, I don't love you that much!



I'm wondering if the lady described by the OP was maybe wanting some reassurance about the safety of the vaccines from someone she trusted?

YOU GOT IT

 

[DawnCt1]

Aw, let it go. She's a worried mom and really respects your husband's expertise. It's funny but our hygenists treat us like family too. My son's even has a nickname for him and she only sees him twice a year. They must be a lonely group, lol!

BINGO!!! Just about everything you said. DH got my email. He called her. Her son had been to a travel clinic but she was "unsure" about the advise and wanted to be sure he was doing the "right thing". He was. DH reassured her and all is good! I excuse almost any behavior on the part of a loving, concerned mom. Edited to add, he never told her that she could call anytime.

 

[DawnCt1]

OMG.......maybe she just wasn't thinking.

Sometimes I'll look back at something I did and ask myself, "Why the heck did I do that"?

I hope there aren't hundreds of people sitting around discussing that stupid question I asked this morning.

Heck why not discuss it. I was trapped in my kitchen having all of my ceilings spray painted. Had to have something to talk about.

 

[MK2thcleaner]

Aw, let it go. She's a worried mom and really respects your husband's expertise. It's funny but our hygenists treat us like family too. My son's even has a nickname for him and she only sees him twice a year. They must be a lonely group, lol!

I'm sure this was just a joke, and I can't speak for an entire group of people, but I am not a lonely hygienist. I do, however, tend toward friendship with many of my patients. I try to keep it professional, but very often my patients are the first to take it in to friendly territory. I've been invited to musicals, movies, homes, parties, and on vacation. I've been given cards, gifts, hugs and compliments. I don't think I'm any more special than the next hygienist, so I have to guess most of them have been invited into the personal realm of their patients lives.

Most of us are women, many mothers and to be GOOD in this business you have to be a nurturer. We get to know our patients, listening to their problems like bartenders and hairdressers. We CARE about people and not just their teeth. Often times someones personal life and overall health will affect their dental health. That's how we end up hearing stories about surgeries, new babies, death of a loved one or depression. Should I just let a patient tell me their husband of 50 years died last week, give a quick condolence and ask her to open so I can get on with my work?! I try to make sure that even if a patient hates coming to the dentist, he or she leaves feeling at least a little better about the day, and maybe even better about life in general.

Now, for those of you that want to come in, open wide and not chat, I'm all for that too. My job goes faster if we don't talk much, and sometimes I just don't want to talk anyway.

In response to this particular case, I don't think much of what she did. I wouldn't do it, and I wouldn't have persisted after being told to contact the travel clinic. Most dental offices are small business and rarely have written policies about expected behavior. Common sense would tell you some things, but not everyone has those same common senses, as evidenced by the DIS .