Thanks both for the comments. I always wrestle either way. I used to call each time, but now I lean towards not calling. I guess I feel as though it can't help much as they will feel uncomfortable, and I will just aggravate my hypodermatosis. Maybe I just tend to think I give a very good brand of service and go out of my way to help them. I sort of think to myself, went out of my way to help them, and they still left. Which probably isn't fair. I do think that patients, in general, think that it is just a business for us and we do not have feelings.
In my last practice, I worked with another doctor. Fortunately, I was on the right side of the heart and more patients tended to flow toward me than the other way arond. Luckily, there was no pulmonary hypertension. On one side, it made perfect sense that a person would switch doctors if they were more comfortable with the other. On the other hand, comparing everything to the way I would do it, (again not so fair), I go to my own doctor, and I would never switch to another doctor in the same practice. I just couldn't look him in the eye.
Ironically, while it would be hard to hear the criticism on the phone, maybe because I would know it was coming, but I have no problem in the exam room. That is the ONE place I am able to listen to any and all complaints about me or my staff. I just wish every patient could do that.
Well....anyway...
