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Very Swedish Version:
Background: I go for regular health check-ups of this & that every year. Recently, it's been a different doctor every time, and no major changes in treatments or medication. This time, it had been over a year, and when the summon for a check-up finally came, the usual physical appointment with a doctor to go through test results and prescriptions etc had been replaced with a phone appointment (with a new doctor I've never met before, a week after having been to the lab for tests). (I assume it's the pandemic that has made them reduce the number of physical visits.)
"Hello, this is Dr Who* from your health care centre, I'm calling 3 minutes early, is that okay?" [*so nicknamed by me ;)]
"Er... Yes..." (I was expecting the call, but not meticulous punctuality!)
"About your prescriptions..."
"Well, I already got all those renewed a month ago, over the phone, because..."
"Starting tomorrow, you should start changing your blood pressure medication, taking away 1/2 a pill of X, and taking two of Y instead. Then, next week... and on the 15th..." [further changes] "... "you'll get a letter with the details... and book an appointment with a nurse for blood pressure ... and I think we'll do an ECG as well ... And" [moving on down the list] "a new lab test for allergy, and have you ever done a spirometry?"
"Yes, er, in the past..."
"Better book an appointment with [another] nurse for that as well."
... and after bit more this and that...
"Anything you're wondering about?"
"[Everything!!] - The results of my blood tests last week??"
"Oh, they were all fine!"
...
Not having expected any of the above, I was left with my head spinning. It was an odd experience, trying to take all that in over the phone from a doctor I've never met (and foreign accent not helping). (Made me realize how much we do usually also weigh in face expressions, eye contact and gestures etc - especially with strangers.) However, as I felt I had understood at least the first step on the to-do list (including why), I did start the next day. And, not feeling any disturbing side-effects, I continued.
No letter came in the post, but three days later Dr Who did call me back (unannounced this time), to ask how I was doing. As I do have a wrist blood pressure monitor at home (and have been using it), I was able give him figures rather than just vague feelings. He seemed also to perhaps have had some second thoughts; or at least he slowed down the plan a bit. There will be another phone appointment before further changes; and the BP+ECG is now also booked to a specific date.
So far, so good.
I am afraid that I would not have done any of this and would be questioning just how he came up with that if the blood work was fine then why is he making changes on what did he base all these changes. This makes no sense at all to me and I really hate the virtual visits that we're doing too because how can they know I could see if you were in there and he had done something but since he was just looking at you on the phone you might as well be talking to me. That is just my opinion
ReplyDeleteSandra, it wasn't even a video call, just a voice call. I've never seen him, and he's never seen me! He might benefit from a communication course ;) but when I had had time to digest things a bit, I think I do see "the point". I appreciate your comments though, as that was pretty much my initial emotional response...
DeleteGosh it's not often you get a phone call from the doctor, we don't even get that here.
ReplyDeleteAmy, the second call (not scheduled) did increase my trust in him a bit, I have to admit :)
DeleteThis sounds crazy to me!! If all your tests were fine, what justification did he have for changing your meds? Did you ask him WHY?
ReplyDeleteGinny, while my lab tests were ok, my blood pressure was too high (also measured at the lab). I knew that. And yes he did explain a bit more than related here. ECG for example has not been done for ages so I can see why. It was just a bit much to take in all at once. And it would have been less confusing to me I think if he'd started at the other end (which is what I'm used to) (Like: Your blood tests were fine, BUT... etc)
DeleteCertainly, you had a poor experience with this doctor. Last year I also had a questionable consultation with a new doctor. I phoned the practice manager, asked for a different doctor, and got a second opinion. The telehealth appointments (telephone) do not cost the clinic as much as face-to-face appointments but they are paid the same money by the government. Stand up for yourself. Doctors are just people and they sometimes make mistakes. You could say, "I need to think about this. Put these instructions in an email for me so I can make the right plans." Good customer service and a supportive manner are important skills for doctors to learn. Let the practice manager know that the doctor needs some more training in how to conduct appointments by phone.
ReplyDeleteLouise, I'd say the phone consultation left me with "mixed feelings": On the one hand, it was indeed rather confusing (and following a different pattern than I was expecting from previous checkups) - but at the same time, I did actually get the impression that he had given things some serious thought (even if I had difficulties digesting it all at once). So after having had time to mull things over a bit myself (and get details sorted out), I decided to trust that it's probably in my own best interest to give it a try. (It's been a while since I had a more thorough reassessment.)
DeleteThat reminds me that I have not had any check-ups other than my regular visits every 3 months to my eye doctor. As long as I feel fine (and I do, most of the time), I simply forget about doctors and all that, but I know I *should* have a regular breast cancer check. Maybe next week...!
ReplyDeleteMeike, I much prefer it when I can "forget about doctors and all that" as well. Relying on prescribed medication for this and that, I'm not allowed to forget completely, though... ;)
DeleteI've also recently had a phone call from a locum doctor who contradicted what I had already agreed with a nurse practitioner in relation to antibiotics for a UTI. As it happens I agreed with the nurse (who knew my history) so just agreed with the doctor and then took the antibiotics the nurse had suggested.
ReplyDeleteGraham, I made a similar decision when on Monday the letter turned up and its instructions also included changing the time of day to take the pills - which had not been mentioned at all in the phone calls. My own intuition said that's too big a change all at once... So I decided to postpone that bit for now... (Hope all went well for you with the antibiotics!)
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