I find this disturbing

[laurasc]

In my post below I mentioned that one of our docs is on medical leave. He will probably return but only part time. He has a huge practice and so far his patients have been covered by two of the docs on staff. Last week one of the docs took the receptionists and me aside and asked us to compile a list of the sick doc's patients for them to fire. Based on past comments by the staff I immediately thought of at least a dozen names that would make it to that list. Most are elderly and/or very sick and/or frightened and demanding and/or time intensive. I asked what the criteria was for their decision and was told no criteria, just the difficult patients. "Maybe it's time to let go of the old and difficult patients and get new, healthy ones." Most of these patients have been with that doc for 10+ years! I have to admit to being very disturbed and sickened by all this. There's a severe shortage of family doctors here and the vast majority of those "difficult" patients will never again find another doc. I know they are going to ask me for names. I will refuse to give any...I will not be part of that.

I understand getting rid of abusive or severely non-compliant patients, sometimes it's a necessary evil....but this? It's just not right! Are my concerns legitimate or do I still have a certain amount of pie-in-the-sky idealism and am over-reacting? Because to be honest, I seem to be the only one there who is upset by this.

[zcubed]

Maybe you could just print out that article... and leave it there for them to see, instead of getting into it with them. (unless it has already become an issue)

It was written for doctors, and this doctor/lawyer... :stone can obviously comprehend the liability; maybe you have another friend in town and instead of recommending doctor names, you can recommend the lawyer name! :rotfl: (just a warped attorney joke!)

Too bad, in every profession, there are good and bad, ethical and unethical, just like there are kind patients and really horrific ones. Sometimes once we take on someone, we can get stuck. When I have a bad client, I have to ask a judge for permission to withdrawal for the case, even if I have not been paid a dime. It is up to the judge's discretion whether of not to let me out.

It's not like you get a choice... Best of luck to you.