Arrivederci

Busy day today - 26 patients (and I did have a few 1/2 hour slots thrown in there for well child checks, etc). Am really starting to feel that I've-been-run-over-by-a-train feeling by mid-afternoon, usually around the witching area of 3pm. Wish I could still blame it on jet lag.

Had a patient today who was one of my "firsts"- she was a part of a group of patients who came to me after 1) having multiple physicians 2) having multiple medical issues that were not - for whatever reason - being what I viewed as not under appropriate treatment (why? patient compliance vs. personality conflict vs. medical care... it's a grab bag). A patient who walked into the office as a new office visit almost a year ago, and 1/2 hour later, I nearly crawled out of the room, feeling incompetent and completely overwhelmed.

With that being said, she told me she will be soon leaving the practice due to insurance change (err, well a temporary lack thereof) and will not be able to afford the out-of-pocket payment for our office visits.

And you know, when I heard this from you, my initial reaction was disappointment. I was sorry to see her go - not only do I enjoy her, but I looked at her chart and thought wow! Over the course of a year, look where we've come - lipids controlled, blood pressure controlled, new diabetic (controlled!), breathing improved, etc. Granted, I'm happy she is medically in a better place where she was a year ago (or so it appears), but still.... or again, I am sad to see her go.