Some patients love their hospitalist. Some patients hate their hospitalist. It's all about bedside manner. You could be the worst doctor in the world, or the best, and your patients will love you if your bedside manner excels. Here's an interesting conversation I had the other day about a patient I saw, but handed off to my rounding partner for the next day.
Yes folks. Happy has a patient fan club. Here's how to join:Partner #1: Happy, your patient loves you. I walked in there and she said, "Where did Dr Happy go?"Happy: Oh. That's nice of her.Partner #1: She started crying when I told her I was going to be her doctor for now on.Happy: Oh. That's really sad.Partner #2: Are you sure the patient wasn't confused and demented?
- Smoke with a passion every day, like it's your last day of life.
- Stuff your face daily with food.
- Veg out nightly on the couch
I guarantee to you even you will have the opportunity to experience my exceptional bedside manner. Just give it some time. Don't be too anxious. Once you join my fan club, you're never going to leave. Or at least until 2013 when Medicare implements their no pay 30 day readmission rules. Then, you're on your own. Every Medicare patient for them self.
