Comments on: Cell phones in the exam room http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2007/11/cell-phones-in-exam-room.html Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:18:00 +0000 hourly 1 By: Anonymoushttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2007/11/cell-phones-in-exam-room.html#comment-87324 Anonymous Tue, 16 Sep 2008 16:57:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2007/11/cell-phones-in-the-exam-room.html#comment-87324 Cell Phone use disrupts the medical evaluation for the patient and the physician, so we have posted a request that all cell phones be shut-off. Most comply but many don't...if when I walk into the room, the patient is on the phone, then I depart and go see another patient...I simply can't let other patients wait while I stand in an exam room and watch somebody talk on his or her phone....if the phone rings while I am in the room trying to conduct business, then I continue to communicate the best I can and if the patient picks it up to read the text message or answer the phone then I move on to the next patient.....if you are expecting a call that urgent, then reschedule your appointment until you can devote five minutes to the matter at hand i.e. you or your loved one's health. Cell Phone use disrupts the medical evaluation for the patient and the physician, so we have posted a request that all cell phones be shut-off. Most comply but many don’t…if when I walk into the room, the patient is on the phone, then I depart and go see another patient…I simply can’t let other patients wait while I stand in an exam room and watch somebody talk on his or her phone….if the phone rings while I am in the room trying to conduct business, then I continue to communicate the best I can and if the patient picks it up to read the text message or answer the phone then I move on to the next patient…..if you are expecting a call that urgent, then reschedule your appointment until you can devote five minutes to the matter at hand i.e. you or your loved one’s health.

]]> By: Anonymoushttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2007/11/cell-phones-in-exam-room.html#comment-81624 Anonymous Mon, 05 Nov 2007 12:10:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2007/11/cell-phones-in-the-exam-room.html#comment-81624 Come on, 90% of the time those physician interruptions are for very good reasons -- considerably different than a family member pulling out the phone to have a chat. I wouldn't blame any doctor for banning the d--n things in his/her office. Several years ago I pulled into a rest stop and walked into the men's room. There was a guy in a business suit, talking on his cell while he was using the urinal. Sorry, no call is so urgent that you can't take time out to pee (or see your doctor). Come on, 90% of the time those physician interruptions are for very good reasons — considerably different than a family member pulling out the phone to have a chat. I wouldn’t blame any doctor for banning the d–n things in his/her office. Several years ago I pulled into a rest stop and walked into the men’s room. There was a guy in a business suit, talking on his cell while he was using the urinal. Sorry, no call is so urgent that you can’t take time out to pee (or see your doctor).

]]> By: RoseAGhttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2007/11/cell-phones-in-exam-room.html#comment-81620 RoseAG Sun, 04 Nov 2007 21:01:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2007/11/cell-phones-in-the-exam-room.html#comment-81620 It'd be nice if the Dr. would also turn off his pager and instruct his assistant or nurse NOT to interrupt.<br/><br/>More than once, particularly with a surgeon, I've been left half-dressed, while he ducked out to take this or that call. <br/><br/>When the assistant opened the door to get his car keys so she could move his car I felt that maybe I'd made a mistake with the guy. It’d be nice if the Dr. would also turn off his pager and instruct his assistant or nurse NOT to interrupt.

More than once, particularly with a surgeon, I’ve been left half-dressed, while he ducked out to take this or that call.

When the assistant opened the door to get his car keys so she could move his car I felt that maybe I’d made a mistake with the guy.

]]> By: Anonymoushttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2007/11/cell-phones-in-exam-room.html#comment-81604 Anonymous Sat, 03 Nov 2007 21:19:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2007/11/cell-phones-in-the-exam-room.html#comment-81604 "Some people need a sobering reminder of expected standards of their behavior.<br/># posted by Anonymous : 9:15 AM"<br/><br/>And of course, we all expect certain 'standards of behavior" from the physicians, don't we?<br/><br/>Does anyone enjoy abuse by an ignorant MD? “Some people need a sobering reminder of expected standards of their behavior.
# posted by Anonymous : 9:15 AM”

And of course, we all expect certain ‘standards of behavior” from the physicians, don’t we?

Does anyone enjoy abuse by an ignorant MD?

]]> By: Anonymoushttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2007/11/cell-phones-in-exam-room.html#comment-81600 Anonymous Sat, 03 Nov 2007 20:26:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2007/11/cell-phones-in-the-exam-room.html#comment-81600 Isn't it a HIPPA violation to even have a family member in the room without their express written permission? Isn’t it a HIPPA violation to even have a family member in the room without their express written permission?

]]> By: Anonymoushttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2007/11/cell-phones-in-exam-room.html#comment-81587 Anonymous Sat, 03 Nov 2007 14:15:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2007/11/cell-phones-in-the-exam-room.html#comment-81587 If it is the patient, I politely request that they mute the ringer. If a family member is taking a call, I ask them to leave the room while they are having their conversation. <br/><br/>It is inconsiderate of family members to have a phone conversation while in the room while their family member is being seen, not to mention a distraction for both the patient and the doctor. It is also a breach of expected privacy to have phone conversations in that setting.<br/><br/>Some people need a sobering reminder of expected standards of their behavior. If it is the patient, I politely request that they mute the ringer. If a family member is taking a call, I ask them to leave the room while they are having their conversation.

It is inconsiderate of family members to have a phone conversation while in the room while their family member is being seen, not to mention a distraction for both the patient and the doctor. It is also a breach of expected privacy to have phone conversations in that setting.

Some people need a sobering reminder of expected standards of their behavior.

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