Friday, January 29, 2016
Be Careful What You Ask For
He had been coughing for several days, a guest explained, adding that he probably needed a Z-pak. When a patient suggests he needs an antibiotic, a doctor feels one of two emotions.
(1) Pleasure because this guarantees an easy visit. Give the antibiotic, and the patient will make it clear that the doctor has done what a good doctor does. I doubt most of you realize the importance of your gratitude. No matter how you try to conceal it, if you’re disappointed, we feel depressed.
(2) Depression. In an otherwise healthy person, the only common illness with a cough that antibiotics cure is bacterial pneumonia which is not common. All others are viral infections. These affect fifteen percent of everyone who consults a doctor, so they are no trivial matter.
Over the phone, I quizzed him about his symptoms and then explained that he was suffering a self-limited illness requiring only over-the-counter remedies. When he insisted that he needed a doctor, I directed him to a nearby urgent care clinic where he would get his antibiotic.
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A patient wanting to be seen by a doctor when ill probably never thinks about what the doctor is thinking or feeling when they get an appointment. The professional knows the signs and symptoms of sicknesses and to be controversial in this area is realistic for someone who has learned about health and sickness. Interesting concept that a doctor may have different feelings than what we realize.
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