I am livid! A medical doctor treats me like a truant schoolboy in letter. [View All]

[DemoTex]

I just got a letter from a gastroenterologist (a partner in a group which includes two of my condo neighbors at our city place) with whom I had an appointment on the day after my dog Sirius became sick with what we now know is cancer of the prostate and lungs. I canceled my consultation with this gastroenterologist (more than 24 hours before the appointment) so that I could get Sirius the diagnostic tests that the veterinarian ordered. I got a scolding letter from the gastroenterology group with this particular doctor's signature. Here is the first draft of my contemplated reply:

Dear Dr. _____,

I received your letter of February 10, 2005 - postmarked February 17, 2005 (see attached) – chiding me for missing a recent appointment (February 10). As I informed your staff when I reluctantly cancelled the appointment, I was handling a critical veterinary problem with a dog who has since been diagnosed with extensive cancer of the prostate and lungs and who is now receiving chemotherapy treatment.

I apologized to your scheduling staff member for the inconvenience, and she was very sympathetic (having recently gone through the same thing herself, if I remember correctly). I apologize to you, too, and I hope my re-scheduling did not upset the routine of your clinic too much that day. Somehow I think that you did not, personally, notice my absence. Am I right? In other words, the offensive letter with your signature is about medical economics and not patient care.

However, never have I been lectured to like a truant schoolboy by anyone, and certainly not by a physician’s office (modicums of punctuality ..not!). My careers as military pilot, corporate pilot, airline captain, and magazine editor have been characterized by punctuality and dependability. As an airline captain my passengers’ safety and well-being came first, their comfort came second, and the sanctity of the schedule was third. As an aviation-space writer and editor, the sanctity of the deadline was right up there with editorial integrity and accuracy.

I know how to handle my time and I respect the time of others, especially busy professionals in high-stress situations. My volunteer work in the soup kitchens of Dallas enlightened me to another group as busy and high-stressed as the medical community: the hungry homeless seeking care for their children and themselves. Stress works in many ways. Precious time works against us all.

I find the scolding tone of the letter from your group extremely offensive and, at the same time, very ambiguous. I am first lectured, then scolded, and then told “ if an emergency does arise, or if you have to cancel, please call us as far in advance as possible.” What do you think I did? What is your definition of emergency?

My re-scheduled appointment is on Monday, April 18. That is one week after the maximum time the veterinary oncologist has given my dog, Sirius, to live (assuming the chemo does not work). That is ten days after his third scheduled chemo treatment (third of five, three weeks apart). But if he is coughing blood from his lung cancer that day, and I have to cancel my appointment .. will your group black-ball me? What if I have to euthanasia Sirius that day?

I will see two of your partners soon. One is my immediate next-door neighbor in the condominium at the address above. The other lives directly above me. I will speak with them of this matter, too.

I would guess that your letter was generated by an over-zealous office manager. However, it was motivated by the partners’ directions, and its offensive nature is your collective problem.

Sincerely,
(DemoTex)