Reader Emily writes:
I was at my OB/GYN 's office this morning, in the waiting room, when I overheard the following conversation. I immediately thought of you.
Patient: "I think I have an appointment today but I'm not sure. You should probably look it up."
Receptionist: "Yes, ma'am, you have an appointment. Please sign in."
Patient: "What am I here for? Because I've been here before and I'm not sure why I'm back."
Receptionist: "I just have you down for a follow up."
Patient: "Ok. Thanks."
It's hard to believe these things happen in real life.
Yes, Emily, it is. And I'm glad to know it happens to other doctors, too. Thank you!
ok, i'm gonna confess...
ReplyDeletei entered my last endocrinologist appointment wrong in my PDA. and so i was there a week early. granted i KNEW why i was there (routine followup) but... yeah. a week early.
fortunately for me, the ladies just laughed and squeezed me in. and my doctor just said "you're here now, friend, so we'll just go with it."
I asked a patient's owner "and what brings Fluffy in today?" and she yelled angrily "you tell me! YOU'RE the doctor!" & it turned out to be for a possible toxic exposure that I had no way of knowing about. WTF?
ReplyDeleteHow do people like this get through life? I can't imagine not knowing why you're at the doctor. Honestly!
ReplyDeleteStupid people scare me...I once heard a group of sorostitutes talking about getting lunch when one asked the other if the food at one location had calories...seriously.
ReplyDeleteI just don't really understand why someone would make the trip all the way to the doc's office without either knowing that they had an appt and/or why they were even showing up in the first place.
ReplyDeleteWebhill - One of these days, I'm gonna rent a booth at one of the big conferences and sell nothing but Magic 8 Balls, magic wands and crystal balls. I think I'd make a killing at IVECCS (the Emergency and Critical care folks)!
ReplyDeleteWas this a geriatric psychiatry office? Would make sense there!
ReplyDeleteThat's nothing. My son had an appointment once, an hour from our house. A week before the appointment we got a reminder in the mail. 3 days before the appointment we got a reminder phone call. 1 day before the appointment we got another reminder phone call. The morning of the appointment I called and confirmed the time. I took my son out of school, drove an hour to the appointment and when we got there we were told, 'oh no, the doctor is at Disney World this week.'.
ReplyDelete@Kim
ReplyDeleteNow that takes real talent. I bet he's been in training for a few years.
The whole Ob/Gyn thing reminds of this:
http://www.somethingpositive.net/sp05152010.shtml
Geez, some people are so scatterbrained.
ReplyDeleteI got a call yesterday to remind me of my OB/GYN appt. today. It started off with "I'm calling from..... Oh yeah, Dr. X's office to remind you of your um....... oh yeah, your 9am appt tomorrow". I think someone was having a few at lunch.
ReplyDeleteSounds like she needs a neurologist more than an OBGYN.
ReplyDeleteThis is what made me think of you.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.smbc-comics.com/?db=comics&id=1753#comic
I work in an orthopaedic clinic and we have over 20 doctors. I think things like this are about an hourly occurance.
ReplyDeleteMe-"Uh, I can't find your paperwork... Which doctor are you here to see? Patient- "I have no idea, It is either about my shoulder or my foot." Me-"Well, which one did you hurt?" Patient "Oh, um... Let me think... Uh... My shoulder!" Me "You don't even have an appointment today, let me see if we can work you in" Then I start banging my head against the desk!
I love it when they call our emergency clinic and try to change their appointment at their regular vet office.
ReplyDelete