A patient is in for a routine checkup. She discovers she will be seen by a nurse practitioner. She tells you she is “paying good money” and insists on being seen by a doctor. What do you tell this woman?
Mrs. Brahm is back in the office already and she looks devastated. She tells you she was told the medicine to treat her I.C. was expensive, but she had no idea it would be more than $500 per month. With tears in her eyes, she says she has no way to afford the prescription. What do you say?
A woman is on the phone. She says she is 41 and during a self exam she can feel a hard lump in her breast. She is wondering if it is acceptable to wait a few months before scheduling an exam. Her husband’s health insurance is yet to be activated at his new job. How do you respond?
You have started a medical exam for a new patient, and are doing routine checks. While checking her height, Mrs. Will jokes, “Darn, I’m down to 62 inches. Losing another inch this year alone. At this rate I’ll never make it to the NBA.” How do you respond after hearing her comment?
A woman is refusing to settle the bill because she claims that the doctor ordered an unnecessary test. Checking our records, you note the patient insisted that all possibilities be explored. What do you tell this double-minded woman?
Some patients have personal quirks that irritate staff and other patients, such as speaking very loudly, publicly swearing, wearing too much cologne, etc. What is the most effective method for telling a patient of a problem, and altering their behavior, even if just for today’s visit?
