Definitely a tough issue.  Even us professional types are usually not
thrilled about being called in the middle of the night.  With the exception
of paid for triage systems involving nurses (usually in the US sponsored by
an insurance company or a large group), calls to doctors are uncompensated.
Many of the calls I get at night could have waited until morning.  However
what makes me more concerned is the tendency for many people to use the
emergency room as a source of primary care (yes some of it is access, but
some of it is not knowing basic sick care).

Until I had my own son, I didn't have a whole lot of empathy for late night
calls.  Then I realized how squirrely things could be in the middle of the
night as a new mom.  So many parents in the US are doing this parenting thing
without the benefit of nearby supportive family (also with current knowledge
about breastfeeding and infant development).

So I try my best to find the middle way.

Pierrette Mimi Poinsett, MD FAAP
Modesto CA
heading into a two week continuous stretch of call for myself and my two call
partners

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