Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Mary's desk, September 24, 2012

Mary: "Dr. Grumpy's office, this is Mary."

Phone lady: "Hi, I need to make a new-patient appointment with Dr. Grumpy."

Mary: "Okay... We can see you this Friday, at 1:30. Does that work?"

Phone lady: "Yes. I have Major Illness insurance, do you take that?"

Mary: "We certainly do. We'll see you on Friday. Any other questions?"

Phone lady: "Yes, do you think I need to see a neurologist?"

Mary: "I really can't answer that. Didn't your internist refer you?"

Phone lady: "Yes, but I don't trust her medical judgment, so I'm asking you."
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15 comments:

  1. MooseSeptember 25, 2012 at 8:05 AM

    Mary: Sorry, I'm not qualified to answer that. Maybe you should ask your car mechanic. Or perhaps the check-out clerk at the grocery store.

    ReplyDelete
  2. PackerSeptember 25, 2012 at 9:37 AM

    Actually Moose, I think she made a very wise choice in getting a second opinion. Second opinion on the idea of making the appointment.
    Never ask your mechanic all he says is You need a timing belt.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Nurse LillySeptember 25, 2012 at 9:39 AM

    What's Mary's highest level of education? High school?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Grumpy, M.D.September 25, 2012 at 9:41 AM

    Yes.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousSeptember 25, 2012 at 10:42 AM

    Recall one hundred years ago, with an 8th grade education, you could obtain a certificate to teach school....

    On the other hand, maybe Mary's reputation has spread beyond the office and this blog resulting in her being solicited for advice...

    ReplyDelete
  6. UnknownSeptember 25, 2012 at 11:15 AM

    But why would the caller expect Mary to say anything but yes anyway?

    ReplyDelete
  7. bobbieSeptember 25, 2012 at 12:15 PM

    Dr. Mary, saint that she is ~

    ReplyDelete
  8. brentSeptember 25, 2012 at 12:33 PM

    The caller has major illness insurance-translated-high deductible-which means patient is going to pay cash for the visit. She probably wanted a a little reasurance before running up the visa bill.

    Also, in my state, I'm seen some pretty bogus referrals.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Ms. DonnaSeptember 25, 2012 at 12:57 PM

    All Hail Mary, giver of second opinions when appointments are needed.
    With this PTs luck, she has something serious that the internest has never seen before (Grumpy did in some textbook eons ago ;-D) and needs Grumpy, stat.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Ms. DonnaSeptember 25, 2012 at 1:03 PM

    BTW, Sir Yak Herder, the pink scrubs on a male model at Landau are especially fetching. Just commenting. Tho, if someone wearing that color of any gender walked into my cell, er, room, wearing bubble-gum pink I would defenestrate.

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousSeptember 25, 2012 at 2:11 PM

    At the pharmacy I am constantly amazed how many people will butt in on a counsel of some OTC medication with their two cents worth which isn't worth two cents and often completely wrong. And then to make it worse the person I'm counseling will take the advice of a complete stranger over their trusted pharmacist with a PharmD. Ouch.

    -CrazyRxMan

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousSeptember 25, 2012 at 5:17 PM

    @craxyrxman

    They're not disregarding your opinion. They're just listening to whom agrees with them. People want to do what they want to do and just a single nudge in the right direction is all they need to not feel bad for doing so.

    ReplyDelete
  13. RehabRNSeptember 25, 2012 at 6:59 PM

    If Mary is REALLY good, I think she'd be telling Phone Lady to refer Dr. Grumpy to all her friends.

    And she'd be asking for commission and/or combat pay.

    I hope Mary really does have a sense of humor!

    ReplyDelete
  14. AnonymousSeptember 25, 2012 at 7:06 PM

    Mary's comforting voice on the phone, humming decibels of comfort, like the purring of a kitten in one's lap, or mother's crooning affirmation, yes, yes, it is not a bad idea for you to see Dr. G, an expert in the care of yaks, he knows yaks. Whether senile dementia, or Alzheimers he has extra training in the neurological issues of yaks, and is certified in all aspects of the care and feeding er, yes, yak therapy.

    ReplyDelete
  15. cliffintokyoSeptember 26, 2012 at 5:13 AM

    Neuroconsulting Olympics

    Intern MD: Bronze medal
    Mary: Gold & Silver medals

    ReplyDelete

So wadda you think?