What is it about some Physician's that make them think they walk on water? Every once in awhile....despite my best efforts....I piss off a Physician. Regardless if I feel I deserve the "heat" or not, it is exceptionally hard to take it from certain Physician's who have NO IDEA what it is that I/we do as physical therapist(s).
Typically it happens because I refuse to hold back information from my patients. If they have not seen a specialist and I know Kaiser has one....I tell them about it. If the neurologist, internist, physiatrist or whoever has not been forthcoming with information.....the patient tends to get a little upset and in turn the Physician decides to blame the evil physical therapist.
Today I was accused (via e-mail) of suggesting a patient was a surgical candidate by advising that they see a specialist in Parkinson's Disease. I just love it. NO WHERE in my practice act, or in my personal practice does it say that I am capable or responsible for SURGICAL decisions. I merely MENTIONED the name of a movement specialist.....whom, by the way I was TOLD to refer ALL patients with Parkinson's Disease to.
I made a promise to myself a long time ago that I would treat each patient like a member of my own family, thus assuring that they get the best from me. No matter how mad I make a Physician, I like to think I am doing it for the best possible reason.....the best interest of the patient. After all it is the patient and their family who struggles each and every day with whatever brings them to me.....the least I can do is take a little "heat" from the Physician.....
Typically it happens because I refuse to hold back information from my patients. If they have not seen a specialist and I know Kaiser has one....I tell them about it. If the neurologist, internist, physiatrist or whoever has not been forthcoming with information.....the patient tends to get a little upset and in turn the Physician decides to blame the evil physical therapist.
Today I was accused (via e-mail) of suggesting a patient was a surgical candidate by advising that they see a specialist in Parkinson's Disease. I just love it. NO WHERE in my practice act, or in my personal practice does it say that I am capable or responsible for SURGICAL decisions. I merely MENTIONED the name of a movement specialist.....whom, by the way I was TOLD to refer ALL patients with Parkinson's Disease to.
I made a promise to myself a long time ago that I would treat each patient like a member of my own family, thus assuring that they get the best from me. No matter how mad I make a Physician, I like to think I am doing it for the best possible reason.....the best interest of the patient. After all it is the patient and their family who struggles each and every day with whatever brings them to me.....the least I can do is take a little "heat" from the Physician.....
3 comments:
That's my little mover & shaker!! Making the world a better place, one patient at a time ~ Keep up the good work, Doc!
I think also the fact that you are a young, beautiful WOMAN has a lot to do with this! I know I dealt with this for years in the psychiatric community and had many of the same struggles. It's a whole new generation of women going into these fields with new ideas and principles about how they work with their patients....
Thats how they are.Always afraid of somebody getting in their way who might know better (whats usually true;-))Just don't care about them.I gave up month ago!We mean best for our patients because we care!!!You're great!!
SANDRA
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