A day does not pass for me without having to think about the instances of impatience either by me or those around me! Not a single day goes without someone crossing the closed railway gate on the way to work. There are some real daredevils ( not the Delhi daredevils!- we have some in every city) who cross the rail tracks with the monstrous wailing trains not more than a hundred metres away, on the rush towards work. I too have been guilty of impatient crossing of the tracks , as it has become the norm. If you thought you had crossed one step, foray into the GST road ,shows the people's reluctance to wait . At least a dozen vehicles cross the yellow line after the signal change to red and at least a couple of vehicles try to cross the road before the orange turns red- its highly surprising that you do not get to see an accident everyday. And if at all people happen to stay behind the line for pedestrians to cross ( that happens only because of the khaki clad men)- just a look at how these vehicles zoom off the line - most of the times before the last guy has crossed the road- even the F1 guys could have complex!!
My most frustrating experience with the people' s impatience is at my workplace - hospitals and scan centres. Both patients and referring doctors are equal in their hurry in getting things done, even in the most non emergent of the settings. It would be a little fair on their part in case of emergencies ; still there are instances when , we as radiologists , need time to have a thorough look and sign the report.
"Four things do not come back- spoken word. sped arrow, past life and neglected opportunity"
As a radiologist I would like to add the fifth one- "signed report". Though you could get it back rarely , it definitely takes a price, especially in the form of your pride/ sometimes money.
That's what makes us radiologists especially vulnerable to this new way of life. There have been many instances , one , where a doctor asked for emergency report for CT study of the para nasal sinuses for a patient who had cold for a week . I still don't fathom the reason for such urgency
There are also patients who want immediate reports for conditions that have been bothering them for years ! And some who cannot wait for another 30 minutes or so when there is a really sick patient shifted I suddenly for a study. They make a big hue and cry as if they are going to lose a billion dollar deal ; but I can see the same persons waiting endlessly for other things (remember those days when well heeled people waited outside the gates of the US consulate at the Gemini flyover , not very much unlike beggars - I don't see them , nowadays - guess because Bush thought India became a real friend by sucking up to his N -deal and the consulate has hence become more respectful). And I guess the same people would not mind to wait for a movie ticket or for a drink at the bar
And that's what hurts me more - the misplaced urgency and impatience!- which is not only going to affect them , but also the people involved in their act, willingly / unwillingly. Hope people become more judicious in showing urgency!
1 comment:
well said venkat! But lemme see if anybody other than a Radiologist like me supports your thoughts. Thats when we can call this message has really created an impact. Seeing from the patients side, it is different perspect. I dont find any malafide intentions from them upon us(you know, to make us give wrong worng reports). And the key factor behind all this happenings is, as you said "impatience".
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