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Loading ...“So is your office open next week?” The patient was in my office seeing me for a sore throat. She was heading off for Florida and wanted to get an antibiotic just in case. This happens a whole lot on the week or so leading up to Christmas. It has always been my practice to loosen the rules a bit – as “watchful waiting” in this season could ruin a Christmas.
“Yeah, I have the duty this week.” I am working limited days on Wednesday (today), Friday, and Saturday morning clinic. It has been a few years since I have drawn the long straw, but everybody gets their turn. I don’t really mind it too much – things are pretty laid back and quiet. I can sit and catch up on things – and even blog if I want. The only thing that could “wreck” Christmas would be a cesarean section on Christmas morning (our OB/GYN doctors still require pediatric back-up for all c-sections). It’s just part of my job.
The specialist offices are all closed for the rest of the week, but we don’t really have that luxury. Our patients get acutely sick and need to be seen; they have counted on us being accessible. We don’t like to let that expectation down. Plus, we can’t really afford to take a whole week with the office closed. We don’t have the high margins that the specialists have, and when we are closed, we are making no money – something that is not a good idea in primary care.
I saw a fireman this morning who has Christmas duty. He had the same attitude that I did – it is just part of the job. We get the pleasure – helping people in their worst hours; but we also have to bear the hard part. He wasn’t upset; it’s what the job calls for. Patients apologize that they are making me work on Christmas Eve, but I assure them that I would be here even if they didn’t come in. They are just happy I am here.
So to all the folks who have to work this week, be it because of financial necessity or the nature of the job, I say: Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and thank you very much.
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