Your privacy is a PRIMARY consideration of AskDrSears.com. Your
e-mail address is used ONLY by AskDrSears.com for the purpose of
announcing news, events and special offers available only
AskDrSears.com registered users.
$1.00 off any Aquaphor Product
Ideal for all babies’ skin care needs, Aquaphor Healing Ointment is so gentle and effective that it’s been trusted by pediatricians for years.
Soothes, protects and helps heal dry, irritated skin
Effective relief for the dry skin associated with atopic dermatitis
Clinically proven to help reduce diaper rash within 6 hours, without the zinc-oxide mess
Helps heal raw, chapped cheeks and chin caused by drooling
Fragrance-free, preservative-free and dye-free formula
Your privacy is a PRIMARY consideration of AskDrSears.com. Your
e-mail address is used ONLY by AskDrSears.com for the purpose of
announcing news, events and special offers available only
AskDrSears.com registered users.
April 2006
A bummer of a wait
So I grabbed a sandwich from the local deli the other day for lunch, and as I was leaving I ran into a patient and her mom. Mom told me she’s coming in to see me after lunch because her child is sick, but her appointment isn’t for another half hour and they’re just killing time until then. I told her to head on over now and I’d see her now.
So I head back to the office, scarf down my lunch, then start seeing patients again. I noticed it was unusually busy for right after lunch, and figured that patient I talked to was first on the list. But she wasn’t. I then spent the next hour rushing through a bunch of sick kids, my encounter with that patient long forgotten in the rush. I then walk into a room, and hey! There’s that patient and her mom . . . about an hour and a half after I’d seen them in the sandwich shop.
Now I know sometimes when we get busy a patient may wait a while. An hour isn’t unheard of when we’re REALLY swamped, like this particular day. So I didn’t feel too bad. But then the mom told me why they were there . . . her nine-year-old daughter’s left nipple was a bit swollen and she wanted me to make sure it wasn’t anything unusual. Well, that took me all of 2 minutes to examine and declare it as a sign of normal puberty. I thought about just sitting there for another five minutes pretending to think about it and check her out thoroughly just so mom would feel glad she came in. But I didn’t. As I walked out, I felt bad. Not because she had to wait, but because she had to wait so long for something so normal.
Note to self: next time I run into a patient at lunch who tells me they’re coming in to see me that day, ask them why! If it’s something easy, I’ll just save them the trip (and the time!) and handle it in the sandwich shop. Unless, I supposed, it involves something that requires them to undress. That would be a little weird.
AskDrSears.com is intended to help parents become better informed consumers
of health care. The information presented in this site gives general advice
on parenting and health care. Always consult your doctor for your individual
needs.