Earlier this morning, while working on a freelance project with the TV on for noise, I heard something on Good Morning, America that made me not only look up but actually stop typing until the end of the segment.
First, let’s back up a moment to my January 25th post about CNN’s article, Are you an obnoxious patient?
Among other recommendations, the CNN article advised against calling up the doctor’s office to “demand” prescriptions without coming in for an appointment:
This issue rankles doctors like none other. Doctors don’t like prescribing medicine without first seeing the patient, period.
Okay, I wrote in my post, except chronic patients see the doctor frequently, anyway, and generally have good enough communication that some of them can expect phone-in prescriptions for non-critical issues. Especially if their conditions generate lots of side issues, like the way AG will develop thrush every single time she waits more than a minute or two to brush her teeth after using her Flovent. And she’s eight, so this happens more often than I’d like and her pediatrician knows it.
I was happy to read comments like this one, that show my kid’s doctor isn’t the only one who’ll listen to reasonable prescription requests:
I don’t mind if people call me and *ask* for a prescription, particularly if it’s about a problem we’ve seen your child for before, and as long as “no” is taken for an answer if I feel I need to see your child first. – Brian, a physician
That’s reasonable, right? But check it out.
GMA’s story this morning investigated whether various at-home medical tests are worth your time and money, and Dr. Marie Savard described the yeast infection and UTI tests as an accurate way to find out if you need to call your doctor to request medicine. You can read the print version of the segment here, which contains this sentence:
The at-home tests are affordable and let you find out if you can treat yourself with over-the-counter medication for a yeast infection or call a doctor to get antibiotics for a UTI.
Do you suppose maybe some patients are surprised when doctors won’t call meds in, not because they’re rude or “obnoxious” but because they hear and read such conflicting information?
If you’re keeping score on the phone-in prescription debate, here’s the overly simplified version:
CNN = NO
GMA = YES
Interesting.
I have a chronic pain issue and my doctor, who is a Physical Mdicine and Rehb doctor, tells me to have my pharmacy fax in for my refills for my pain meds. As long as I keep my scheduled appt every three months, no problems. He said it’s not his job to babysit!! Chronic patients should be able to get their meds without an office visit, it’s chronic….you know what you need. I know it’s not Asthma related, but I felt it was topic related!!
Yeah, I think we all agree doctors should address phone-in prescriptions on a case-by-case basis. I think stories like this one should focus on good communication on both sides.
Interesting post
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