An ER doc confesses:
I shouldn’t let this kind of thing bother me. Why should I care what the techs and nurses think? Let them walk a mile in my shoes. They’re not held accountable if they miss a head bleed or PE or small bowel obstruction or neck fracture. I am.
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{ 2 comments }
amen
I’m a family physician and all a patient will complain about is if you are too slow to order one.
also, Ithink the rapidity in diagnosis benefits the patient most
I have just as many patients complain about having to schedule the test. If the test is not indicated it should not be ordered. Many patients are harmed chasing after incidentalomas every year. For every rare or unusual diagnosis we make, two patients required a chest tube for a needless lung biopsy.
If you practice medicine and see a fair number of patients—you will be sued. It is the sad truth of an otherwise wonderful career. If a test is not indicated and the standard of care is met, you will likely win the suit as well. Living in fear is a miserable place to be.
howardluksmd.com/journal
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