Emergency Parents

Being an Emergency Room doctor is a fun job with occasional annoyances. And because I take care of mostly kids, what annoys me most on most days are difficult parents.

If you’re a parent with a small child and have been to the ER recently, I’m sure I don’t mean you. I’m certain you weren’t one of the “difficult” parents. I’m sure you were kind and trusting and patient and thankful. I’m sure you don’t need to read this blog.

But if you happen to be one of that other kind of parent – the difficult parent – allow me to kindly and respectfully share a few things with you.

Your attitude hinders your child’s care. It really does.

The odds are that you are not a doctor, and have not been to medical school. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be in the ER for that zit. It’s true. But maybe you did go to medical school….the fact that you walked into my ER indicates to me that you were seeking a second professional opinion.

So with all due respect, be quiet for a minute and let the expert talk.

The ER is not a restaurant where you can order any test your heart desires. You have insurance, I hear you grumble. You’ll pay for it. I heard that, too. And I also heard you tell me about your aunt’s neighbor’s cousin who came to the ER with the exact same zit and ended up dying of meningitis because the doctor didn’t do his job right. Yeah. I heard that too.

And trust me, I’m not impressed.

You want to be the doctor? Perfect. Just take over the ER, and let me enjoy the summer evening on my patio instead.

But if you’re gonna stay in my ER, then for goodness’ sake, listen to me.

And yes, I also see that look of distrust on your face. Mind you, it didn’t bother me at first. I actually appreciated explaining my thought process to you. It’s part of my joy as a pediatrician. But I got tired of it on the sixth go around.

I also happen to understand that your child is the most valuable thing in the world to you. I’m sorry…I didn’t mean to say “thing”, but I think you know what I mean. I do get it. I happen to also want what’s best for your kid. Mostly because I care. I did tell that medical school admissions committee that the reason I wanted to be a doctor was to help people. Remember that? But I also don’t like to be sued. So trust me, I’m doing the best that I can and the fastest that I can for you.

Oh that brings up another issue. You have to be somewhere in an hour. I’m sorry. How could I be so insensitive. I didn’t mean to make you wait. I’ll hurry up and make the diagnosis. Maybe we’ll skip that diagnostic test that will delay your dinner plans.

Have I overlooked anything?

I know you don’t like me very much by now. But that’s ok. I can live with that. You’ve taught me to live with that. And I get that it’s not personal.

Which is why I’m writing this blog.

To remind you – Don’t be difficult the next time you go to the ER.

The doctor’s in the house, and the doctor does care. She also knows what she’s doing.

At least this one does.

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