"Hello, I'm a patient of Dr. Grumpy's. It's Sunday night, about twenty minutes after 11:00, and I'd like someone to call me back. Thank you."
That's all. Never called back with anything more helpful, like a name or phone number.
Monday, June 30, 2014
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
10 comments:
Ha! That was probably someone laying the groundwork for an alibi...
He probably assumed everyone has caller ID.
I don't see what's so confusing. It's that guy. The one you're treating for that thing. You know, that patient of yours. Geez!
I remember as a child of, say, 4-5 yrs old, in the early 60s, while my father was at work, the fear inculcated in my soul, when Mother would raise the big black phone receiver (cannot believe that I actually went on-line to check out what that part of a telephone of the 1950s was called! And, found an advertisement for an 'antique' "Bell Systems, Western Electric 500, Rotary Dial Desk Set Telephone 'WORKS!'" for $9.99)!! sitting on its own little table in the kitchen, to call THE BOGEYMAN. Early fear of the unknown. Mother was adept in creative use of disciplinary tactics with four children under the age of 4 and another on the way.
But, this is my guess. Someone needed the appearance of calling in an authoritarian and knowledgeable figure at that hour of the night, short of a policeman.
Ugh! Happened to me once when I was teaching. Back in the late 90s when each class had at least 3 girls named Katie (so that means a total of 15-25 per year) I got this gem: "hello Mrs. FormerTeacher, it's Katie. I wanted to talk to you about why my grade was so low. Can you please call me?" No last name, no class name, no class period, no callback number.
I've had patients do this to me before. It's crazy though how a lot of the times I can actually figure out who called.
"Oh, and I'm wearing a green polo shirt."
Aw, is your crystal ball in the shop again?
ThePatientDoc:
We have similar patients. One has a dog that barks every time he gets on the phone.
If it doesn't bark, we think it's someone else.
This is why I'm beginning to like Secure Messaging on our health portal. So much easier...attaches a name to EVERY message.
My favorite is when a patient calls, starts directly in on what they want you to do for them, and when you can finally interrupt (politely, of course) to inquire what their name is, reply "Maria". As in, you only have one "Maria", right? I've had patients get angry when I am presumptious enough to require a last name & date of birth.
Did I mention we have 5 family practice providers & one internal medicine?
sigh
Yep, only one Maria.
Post a Comment