I'm an attorney. I enjoy being an attorney on most days. This doesn't mean that I'm enamored of all coworkers who have law licenses. Many of my brethren are cretins at best and snakes at worst. There's a reason we have disbarment proceedings. Still, for every bad attorney there are a hundred -- if not hundreds -- of fine, ethical practioners whom I proudly view as correligionists.
The same, I assume, holds true for medical doctors. Our primary physician is a lovely man. I've had many a good doctor treat me and bring me back from the brink of death...or at least guide me back to the path of healthiness. I can't really complain too much about the care I've received from the medical profession.
But when it comes to communication, the medical profession could learn a thing or two from us attorneys.
Back in November I was diagnosed first with atrial fibrillation, then with heart failure including a blood clot in the base of my heart. Had the clot broken loose and traveled to my brain, I could have had a stroke -- and died. Thankfully -- obviously -- that didn't happen. But not because of the transparent communication involving the medical community.
I was originally scheduled for some test at the beginning of November before any of this was known. Unfortunately, when I showed up on November 12 for the scheduled procedure, I was told it had been postponed to a later date and that I had been called regarding the postponement the weekend before. But when I checked my phone messages, there was nary a call from the hospital The reason for the delay was an anticipated work stoppage, which never occurred.
Then I had to have a nuclear stress test of the heart. Because I had to be careful with my court schedule, I inquired as to how long the test would be. I was told that it would only take an hour and a half; because it was scheduled for first thing in the morning, I would be able to attend the Zoom court hearing after the procedure ended. But when I came in for the procedure and confirmed the timing of the procedure, I was told that the hour and a half was only the first half of the procedure, that to complete it would take another hour and a half. Fortunately, I was able to come back the next day to complete the procedure.
Then there was the initial meeting with the cardiologist. I was told to be there at 7.30 for an 8a consultation. At 8.20a the cardiologist sauntered in. When I told him I had to leave by 8.45a to make it back to my office in time for a 10a hearing, he said, "But this consultation lasts an hour!" I left promptly at 8.45a leaving Karen to finish the consultation.
I was then scheduled for a heart catheterization in mid-February. I was to be there over the weekend, including President's Day, to minimize time off from work. I waited until 5p on Saturday to be admitted...and I had to call to find out I could come to the hospital. Then, in the meeting with the cardiologist on Sunday, the scheduler answered the cardiologist that I wasn't scheduled for a catheterization! Both the cardiologist and I nearly lost it.
Today, I was called about the procedure I was scheduled to have tomorrow. The caller began reviewing the medicines I've been taking and when we got to one of them, I answered that I took my pill this morning as instructed. Apparently, I should have ceased taking that pill -- and a shot I get weekly that I took Monday -- on Monday. Because I didn't, my procedure has to be reschedule for next Friday.
I'm not a med-mal attorney, so I don't know if any of these lapses qualify as malpractice. But had anything happened to me because of the miscommunication and attendant delays, Karen may well have hit the lottery.
(c) 2025 The Truxton Spangler Chronicles
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