Attention all non-ER physicians.
If your patient tells me this, and you don't have privileges at this hospital - then shame on you and I'm telling your patients of your lies.
If your patient tells me this, and you DO have privileges at this hospital - then I'm calling you and telling you to come see them. Yes, even if that means that you're in the OR. Don't be surprised and act all pissy when you set expectations that you can't meet.
Also, stop.
While I have also been frustrated with this mismanagement of expectations, there are a few more innocent possibilities than outright lies by those MDs:
- Misunderstanding by the patient. Maybe he said something along the lines of them "being seen in the ED" and the patient assumed that this specific doc was going to be seeing them. Maybe they meant the ED doc would do the "seeing", or maybe they meant someone on their team, like the GI fellow. Maybe they assumed the patient would get admitted, and he will see them, but on rounds the next day. Or maybe the MD said nothing of the kind and the patient just assumed that's how it works.
- Changing circumstances. Maybe the doc was fully intending to see them, but then something happened and he is now tied up.
I always call the doc and let them know the patient is under the impression that they will be seen. However, if they can't, I am not going to give them a hard time about it. I would also definitely not tell the patient that their doc is "lying" to them. This is how the conversation goes:
Pt: "Dr SoAndSo said they would come and see me in the ER."
Me: "Oh yeah? I know Dr SoAndSo. I'll be sure to given them a call and let them know."
To the MD:
Me, after discussing the case with Dr SoAndSo: "By the way, they are under the impression that you will be coming by to see them in the ER, is that the case?"
Dr SoAndSo: "Hmm, kinda busy over here..."
Me: "No worries, I'll let them know we talked and you said hi"
To the Patient:
"So, I spoke with your doc (he says hi and appologizes that he won't be able to come see you in the ER) but we discussed the case, and this is what we agree we should do...."
Almost 100% of the time both patients and MDs are very happy with this. I don't think that most of the time the patients care that much that their doc sees them. They do think that their doc has a better understanding of what is going on, and don't want that to be ignored by this ER doc they just met. This approach puts their mind at ease that we are all on the same page. It feels like a smooth transition of care between the outpatient doc, the ER, and then back to the outpatient doc (as it should be) instead of the completely new adventure each time that it can often feel like.
Also, I have to work with those docs for a long time, and I want them to know that I am usually reasonable so that when I do actually need them to come in, they are much more likely to do so. I don't want to squander whatever social capital I have on teaching them a lesson. Aint nobody got time for that.