No nightmares about clinic since the one I wrote about two days ago. I do feel like a bit of a dinosaur in clinic, though. Most of my older patients seem to really be fond of dinosaurs.

I’ve heard from other docs that they don’t have time to talk to each other in clinic either. Patient time but primary care we read all the notes from everyone: specialists, PT, OT, xrays, CT, MRI, ultrasound, lab, lab, lab, lab, prescription refills, phone calls. I read that people are trying to insert Artificial Intelligence into this. I am fine with a computer learning to read mammograms, but condensing information from notes? The AIs currently can “hallucinate”, and make things up. Is that worrisome or am I being silly? Notes are often wrong ANYHOW, way more than I would like. I saw a patient yesterday who has a neurological disorder. The hospital discharge note lists the wrong one! The patient caught the error, I didn’t. I am very glad he corrected me, but the hospital note is still sitting there wrong. Having been labeled with wrong diagnoses myself, I think it is a big deal. In order to fix it, he would have to fill out a form and the form would go to the physician, who is supposed to respond and add an addendum to the note. How often do you think THAT happens?

The discharging physician suggests he see a specialist for testing. I call that specialist and they agree with me: that testing is not indicated, it won’t make one bit of difference in his treatment. The discharging physician also suggests lung testing. I don’t think it works or is useful with a serious neurological disorder that affects muscles! Think, people.

My patient is grumpy and asks how we know the medicine is working. I reply, “You’re not dead.” Which is true. Undiplomatic, but he does not mind, because he is already saying, “What is the point of this?” To explain more about the medicine working, I ask, “Is your breathing better than when you went to the emergency room?”

“Yes,” he says.

“That is because the medicine is working.” I explain how it works and what happens if he stops it.

Sometimes it makes me feel heavy, heavy, like a dinosaur.

But I think I will try discussing my clinic day with my cat. I think she might enjoy it and I can clear the grumps out. And it’s not a hipaa violation! She doesn’t like other cats and won’t tell them anything.

For the Ragtag Daily Prompt: dinosaur.

This is new to me:

I’ve never seen these cartoons. The animation is, well, not the best. The guitar work is fun though!