Why even bother?

As of late I feel that I am wasting far to much breath on speaking. I feel that I try to do the best by explaining all the Pros and Cons. And if you know me at all you will understand when I say that I spare no words in getting my point across. I tend to be very concerned that I will be misunderstood and as a result repeat myself A LOT!!! Please do not think this is something I am not trying to get a handle on. Because I am. However I fear the damage may be done. You remember the saying you can't teach old dogs new tricks. Well we all know I am not getting any younger and this may just be part of me that will become endearing over time rather than simply remaining annoying! Who knows...

(Please make note of the length in which it took me to explain said problem. Maybe there is some sort of support group. Perhaps I will google it when I finish this post!?)

WOW! Moving on...

So at work I tell my patients in very clear English how to do things. And more times than not they can't handle it! Most of the time it does not bother me. I chalk it up to a bad day, hard of hearing or old age. There are other times when I wonder why I even bother! Heaven knows I gave them plenty of instruction. So why there is still confusion is beyond me. For instance...I tell them to place their urine sample in the Pink Bin labeled URINE. And without fail I will have samples brought me at the desk, left in the restroom, sat next to the computer and my personal favorite... Sat on the counter right next to the URINE Bucket and as those patient leaves they always say "I was not sure where to put my sample so I sat it next to the Pink Bin." I just smile and say "OK I will take care of it." But inside I want nothing more than to flick them in the forehead and sweetly remind them of our urine placing conversation!

OR...

There are lots of time when patients will need blood work and stool studies as well. So as a courtesy we tell them if they wait and have the blood work done when they bring the other samples back it will be a little cheaper for them. Most patients take the chance to save a couple bucks and decide to do it all together another day. However we do have those patients that would rather do them separate. Fine by me, I have been poking people all day so I am warmed up! I tell them to have a seat while I do some paperwork and then we will do draw the blood. It never fails the moment I hit the save/print button the patient decides to opt out of the blood work today. They come up my desk and say something along these lines "I think I will just do them all together when I bring the other samples back that will be better and cheaper." This is what they say to me. Like they just thought of this brilliant plan themselves. Never mind the fact that I told them the very same thing 3 minutes ago.

Then there are the times...

Patients call on the phone asking for the latest test they found on google that will fix all their problems. And maybe even create Word Peace! They expect that we run EVERYTHING and so this should not be a problem. If by chance the "Next Best Thing" is not something we offer you must be prepared for a long phone call. When this happens I try my very best to help the patient and explain that we do not offer said testing and help them in anyway I can to understand this. Just because the test is "Out there" does not mean we can do it. We are not Nike folks! I tried to explain this to a patient for roughly 15 minutes the other day. Telling her she could go to other facilities and have the testing done. Tell her she and her Dr could work out together what testing she needed and perhaps at that point we could help her. After trying all my options and getting rather frustrated, but never letting the patient in on my frustrations. She decided to tell me "Well you have been nothing but unhelpful and inefficient!"

So you see sometimes I sit back and wonder "Why do I even bother?"