The uncertain diagnosis is difficult for everyone involved

It is frustrating for patients to have unanswered questions, and it is equally frustrating for doctors to not have answers to their questions. In the past month, I have cared for three patients who have stood out to me because they have all presented under personally dire situations. “I have had crushing 10/10 chest pain since this morning,” Ms. A tells me at the urgent episodic appointment she scheduled in my evening primary care clinic as she is bent over in her chair, grimacing in pain. Ms. A came to the hospital because of worsening, disabling chest pain that frequently woke her up while she slept and prevented her from being able to carry out her job. She has a past medical history of severe asthma, atypical chest pain, and GERD, a strong family history of clotting and a grandmother who passed from a pulmonary embolism. While I was gathering information on her pain, it was clear that she was in mild to moderate distress as she was writhing around in her chair. Her 15-minute urgent, episodic visit turned into an hour, 15-minute appointment as I ordered an EKG, gathered peak flow studies, assessed ambulatory oxygen saturation, and carefully analyzed past stress tests, pulmonary function tests, and upper endoscopy studies. Continue reading ... Your patients are rating you online: How to respond. Manage your online reputation: A social media guide. Find out how.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: Journals (General) Authors: Tags: Education Medical school Source Type: blogs