Mrs. Seizure: "They're giving me generic. I don't want it. What are you doing about this generic medication?"
Annie: "I called you earlier. Didn't you listen to my voicemail from this morning?"
Mrs. Seizure: "No. I don't have time for that. I've been too busy trying to call you."
Annie: "Instead of listening to my message about the issue, you just keep calling me?"
Mrs. Seizure: "Yes. What else was I supposed to be doing?"
Annie: "Your insurance is deciding. I didn't even know you got the generic until you called me this morning."
Mrs. Seizure: "Well I called you yesterday about it, but only got your voicemail, so I hung up."
Annie: "I can't help you if I don't know what you need."
Mrs. Seizure: "I refuse to leave messages."
Annie: "Apparently."
Please tell Annie I feel her pain.
ReplyDeleteOne morning a client called me SIX TIMES in TEN MINUTES on my cell phone (which always goes to voicemail, BTW), hanging up every time. No message. I figured if it were an emergency, she'd leave a message. She finally left a message that afternoon and I was right - it was something stupid.
Tell Annie that I think she's awesome. =D
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I am a believer that if something is REALLY that important someone will leave a voicemail.
I had a patient scream at me for a good 10 minutes this morning because I asked her (by request of her nurse) for a copy of her current medications. She told me that it was "none of my goddamned business" what she took and that I could keep my nosy little tendancies away from her.
ReplyDelete*sigh*
Why is it only Wednesday?
It is apparent that on Annie's next review, she needs to be written up. She is obviously severely lacking in the extra sensory perception area. Come on, doesn't she know how to read minds? What kind of receptionist is that?
ReplyDeleteSigh.
I would be happy to volunteer my time should Annie need a break from telephone proctology.
ReplyDeleteMight cost you a few patients but...
I'm beginning to wonder if my crazy mother might be one of your patients...
ReplyDeleteIf Annie would ever like to move to Northern California, I would love to have her as a veterinary receptionist. Brains like hers are hard to find-- anywhere. How did you ever find such a smart person?
ReplyDeleteI hear Mrs. Seizure speaking in a self-important New Englander tone. Am I close? :)
ReplyDeleteMiss Kismet- no, more of a NY.
ReplyDeleteNY isn't New England? Shows what we Midwesterners know LOL.
ReplyDeleteGee, your blog is giving me bunches of ideas lately! What is it with people?? The only reason I know of not to take a generic is if one is allergic to one of the inerts or your MD has specifically said not to, but gee, then s/he would have checked the "do no substitute" box. ::rolls eyes:: @kate Not give a list of current medications?? ::shudder:: I keep a list of them along with my allergies & emergency info in at least three locations in my purse. Not only are they handy in case of emergency but you can just pull one out & hand it over at the desk when you check it to be copied.
ReplyDeleteGotta say NYC isn't so very close to the heart of New England baked bean pot country; head further north up Rockaway or along the Maine coast for typical 'New England', unless from Kansas, then ALL those Easterners drink sody water or take a little tonic in the spring and drop their 'h's, never mind differentiating among them. (Mother from Manchester, NH.)
ReplyDeleteI work with individuals with mental illness. Many of them are colorfully psychotic...but often make more sense then the individuals you write about. They may act a little nuts sometime...but, well, they are actually crazy...see
ReplyDeleteYet another reason why you are grumpy.
ReplyDelete