Kicked out, mid appointment

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Specializes in Perioperative / RN Circulator.

This happened to my wife this morning. She had an appointment with her new therapist (LCSW, works for the same healthcare organization I do, but in an offsite clinic.)

In the course of discussion my wife mentioned that 5 days ago she briefly had a temperature of 99.2F 20 minutes into the appointment she had a tickle in her throat and coughed once (I’m sure she covered it.) The therapist stopped the appointment immediately and told her to leave.

He said it was also because I am a nurse at the hospital. He told her he would call about rescheduling but she’s pretty crushed and not feeling like going back to him.

I said I think he overreacted, but it also shows how scared people are right now of catching Covid-19.

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Well, that wasn't particularly therapeutic was it??

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Specializes in ICU,Tele,Interventional Radiology,PACU,Research.

Have you watched the Walking Dead? It is a virus with no vaccine yet. We are all scared,some more than others. Dont judge the therapist,maybe everyone that had walked into her office that morning had the same symptoms.......they were just protecting themselves.

I am suprised therapy sessions are still happening face to face #physicaldistancing

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The therapist should not be having face to face appointments if he is going to pull that. He also could have just as easily done some screening before beginning, but he didn't do that either. Have her send a letter to him with some suggestions along with her explanation that she intends to find another provider. He does not inspire trust even if there is justification there.

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Specializes in Travel, Home Health, Med-Surg.

Agree that the therapist should have screened prior to the appt. I recently had an MD appt (for chronic issues) and they did a very thorough screening prior to even seeing me in the back office. I would have maybe even given him/her a pass if they suggested she go see/call an MD right away, but just to say "get out", very rude and unprofessional. I wouldn't want to go back either!

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Specializes in retired LTC.

And if the roles were reversed between that provider and you, what would be your reax?

You paint the picture - a new-to-you client who self-reports a past temp, admits to a new 'throat tickle', and sneezes in your presence. And the client has a spouse working in a high-risk field for exposure.

And that client & spouse are other in-system, licensed HC professionals who could be possibly be exposing the whole organization, staff & others clients to widespread contagion. And one who could have called ahead for a heads-up screening.

To me, the ending of the appt was ABRUPT, but understandable. Stop continued exposure immed. I don't think this is the time for any subtle nice-nice.

JMHO - sorry!

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Specializes in Perioperative / RN Circulator.
4 hours ago, amoLucia said:

And if the roles were reversed between that provider and you, what would be your reax?

You paint the picture - a new-to-you client who self-reports a past temp, admits to a new 'throat tickle', and sneezes in your presence. And the client has a spouse working in a high-risk field for exposure.

And that client & spouse are other in-system, licensed HC professionals who could be possibly be exposing the whole organization, staff & others clients to widespread contagion. And one who could have called ahead for a heads-up screening.

To me, the ending of the appt was ABRUPT, but understandable. Stop continued exposure immed. I don't think this is the time for any subtle nice-nice.

JMHO - sorry!

No offense taken and no apology needed. Personally I wouldn't send someone away for a single cough or a fever several days ago, especially around here where everyone has seasonal allergies, colds, etc But I respect his concern and things I didn't know when my wife first texted me about it.

Therapist's wife works with the elderly

My wife never told him it was a 99F temp 5 days ago. She said "I was a running a fever a few days ago"

I feel bad that my wife was hurt, but that is also tied into deeper issues. I think the therapist should probably be doing online visits only, or some pre session screening rather than cutting off 20 minutes in. JMO

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Thank you for responding back to me. Sometimes I wish I were the proverbial 'fly on the wall' in order to have first person witness of some significant event.

We are all facing unknown situations and the major instinct of all is to be safe and self-protective. So I believe we all need to aware and understanding of others' responses (however different) to these unfamiliar times.

Yeah, the therapist's response COULD have been better, but I'd be just accepting of it as HIS/HER coping.

To you & yours for health & safety!

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