In this day of specialization, there is loss of family doctor and their firm rapport and trust with the patient. It is quite common that a patient may consult a specialist doctor for the very first time with a complicated or complex disease condition in which there may not be simple or single treatment plan or solution to the patient’s disease or condition.
In such patients coming for the first time, one of my fellow doctor defers the major bulk of discussion to later visits.
He has found that many patients coming for the first time are just 'window shopping' with minimal interest in following the doctor's advice. They are likely to consult other doctors and compare what each of these doctors have advised. There is no point in going in detail with such patients on first visit, wasting theirs and his valuable time. Starting a complicated or difficult treatment plan without proper trust on part of the patient frequently leads to problem and litigation for the doctor if any complication occurs or if another doctor suggests a different management plan. Any decision making needs the trust and understanding on the part of patient.
At the first visit, he does just the routine work-up, symptomatic treatment and orders relevant investigations. If the patient comes for next visit, it is a sign that some amount of trust has been established between the doctor and the patient. Then he starts discussing the problem and its solution with the patient, in increasing complexity, with the increase in the contact between him and the patient.
He operates on the patient only when he thinks a relationship had been established with the patient and his relatives and they have full faith in him as a operating surgeon.
— ND
(Based on allegedly true incident.)
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DISCLAIMER: This article is intended only for fun purposes. The author does not promote or recommend any behavior illustrated here or claim it to be useful. Use the information herein is at your one's own risk. Before trying to emulate or follow anything the reader is well advised to take into account ethical, moral, legal, and other considerations. The author recommends that Medical Practice should be of the highest ethical and moral level keeping in mind the interest of the patient as foremost.
DISCLAIMER: This article is intended only for fun purposes. The author does not promote or recommend any behavior illustrated here or claim it to be useful. Use the information herein is at your one's own risk. Before trying to emulate or follow anything the reader is well advised to take into account ethical, moral, legal, and other considerations. The author recommends that Medical Education should be of the highest ethical and moral level keeping in mind the interest of the patient as foremost and according to MCI and other Board norms.
