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Yep. All the time. I'm usually not able to say anything specific, so I go with something vague and non-committal like "they usually do their rounds in the morning between 7:00 and 9:00. Ish."
If they are wanting something in particular, I tell them I can leave a message for the team or address it with the doctor on call if it is an immediate need or request.
I've had this happen a lot to me, usually the family asks this because they want to try to be present when the doc comes in (i.e. they don't want to leave to grab a sandwich if the doc may be coming around that time). I just tell them the usual time a doc rounds but also inform them that they can potentially come in at any time.
Also, if I have to call a doctor for whatever reason, I usually ask the patient if there is anything they want me to ask the doc while I'm on the phone with them. This has worked well a few times for me to satisfy the patient/family especially if they have just one or two quick questions/concerns.
I've had this happen a lot to me, usually the family asks this because they want to try to be present when the doc comes in (i.e. they don't want to leave to grab a sandwich if the doc may be coming around that time). I just tell them the usual time a doc rounds but also inform them that they can potentially come in at any time.
When I've been the family member, this is the reason why I have asked.
Yeah, I get that question every single day, too. There is no set schedule for any of our docs; most of them see their most critical patients first, or new admits first. Sometimes they come before their office opens, sometimes after. When my son was a chronic patient (he died of cancer) his doctors would call me at home or work to give me a condition update. When my mother was critically ill, her docs would also give me a call. I have found that is not the case everywhere.
I got this question all the time at my previous unit, but I knew the answer because we rounded with them between certain times. We didn't have Residents. At my new unit, I have no idea because nurses don't round with the docs. I usually tell the patients whenever they get here, but they will see you. They are pretty satisfied with that answer.
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martymoose, BSN, RN
1,946 Posts
Ugh. Why do so many family members/patients ask us this question?I don't know the answer- he didn't give me his schedule!
Or he could be with a critical pt. I don't know- he doesn't tell me these things.
Anyone else get this all the time? Why does anyone think we know the doctor's schedule?