Sometimes... patient's are enablers. And they're wonderful
Had a great in clinic visit today with a patient. She asked good questions, and the interview was going well. One of the questions I ask when verifying patient information is to have them tell ME what surgery they will be having. I then confirm it matches the schedule, and their consent if we have it.
Telling the patient is bad. If you have it wrong, it scare the bejeezus out of them. And some patients don't really understand what you just said and will say yes to anything to not look difficult or ignorant.
I ask it as, "In your words, tell me what Dr. Generic will be doing for your on (Insert surgery day)." Told my patient today about having another patient on the phone yesterday, without giving anymore information than they shared a surgeon.
She didn't like the request. "Well, Dr. GENeric isn't doing anything. Dr. Gen-AIR-ic is doing my surgery." Outside voice, "Hmm, that's interesting. I've heard it both ways." Inside voice seethed.
Patient today who understood I was asking it as a safety measure.
"So, did you follow it with, 'Then will Dr. Gen-AIR-ic be removing something from your butt?' "
When I could stop laughing I admitted it had not occurred to me, but certainly would from now on until the end of time.
Telling the patient is bad. If you have it wrong, it scare the bejeezus out of them. And some patients don't really understand what you just said and will say yes to anything to not look difficult or ignorant.
I ask it as, "In your words, tell me what Dr. Generic will be doing for your on (Insert surgery day)." Told my patient today about having another patient on the phone yesterday, without giving anymore information than they shared a surgeon.
She didn't like the request. "Well, Dr. GENeric isn't doing anything. Dr. Gen-AIR-ic is doing my surgery." Outside voice, "Hmm, that's interesting. I've heard it both ways." Inside voice seethed.
Patient today who understood I was asking it as a safety measure.
"So, did you follow it with, 'Then will Dr. Gen-AIR-ic be removing something from your butt?' "
When I could stop laughing I admitted it had not occurred to me, but certainly would from now on until the end of time.