Posted by JohnL on May 18, 2000, at 3:14:49
In reply to communication with pdoc, posted by Rebecca on May 17, 2000, at 17:36:06
Rebecca,
I can sure relate to communication snags. I think in some ways it's therapeutic by itself just to know for sure how to get in touch with your doctor anytime.Next time you have an office visit, maybe this topic could be something to go over. He may have a beeper number, a home number, or some other way of getting in touch. Let him know how important it is. Let him know that business hours and receptionists aren't good enough, because mental crisis doesn't obey the clock.
My pdoc is fantastic in terms of communication. I think a lot of doctors would do well to follow his example. But then, he's an oldtimer and has probably learned a lot over the decades.
I don't think my pdoc ever expected I would use his home phone that he gave me...and I haven't. But it sure is comforting to carry it around. We communicate primarily by voicemail. No matter where he is...office, convention, out-of-state, out-of-country...I always get a response from him within a few hours after leaving a message. No matter where he is or what he's doing, he checks in with voicemail like it's the most important thing in the world...everyday and at all hours, not just weekdays or business hours. Heck, I've even sent him voicemails on Sunday, expecting him to pick it up Monday morning, only to be completely surprised that he returned my call in person at home just a couple hours later that same Sunday. Wow. That was impressive.
I think the moral of the story is....Mental illness doesn't take time off...and if someone is going to dedicate theirself to being a psychiatric physician, they should accept that they are on-call at all times, every hour every day. It goes with the territory as I see it. And in some cases, someone's life or death can actually depend on it. Any pdoc who disagrees should probably be in a different profession as far as I'm concerned. Mental illness doesn't take time off. And sometimes it can't wait for convenience.
I would definitely think about making this a topic of discussion at your next office visit.
JohnL
poster:JohnL
thread:33805
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000517/msgs/33864.html