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Date: | Mon, 2 Oct 1995 20:13:37 -0700 |
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I was surprised to find myself fascinated with your discussions of
separating your LLL and LC roles, then realized I've been working on the
same thing!! The first year after I was accredited as
a LLL Leader, I was still practicing (*very* part time but attending
lots of births) in the small
town where I also actively led the LLL group, along with 2 excellent
co-leaders. I found this a bit awkward--never knew whether or to make an
explicit statement at meetings that although I am a doctor I am not *their*
doctor. I gave the same advice in both roles, but my qualifications for
being a Leader were my mothering and breastfeeding, not my medical
practice. I definitely did not solicit patients through LLL, although I
know I got a few that way. I gave phone advice for free in either case,
although I tried to refer medical questions from moms back to their own
physicians. If a mom chose to see me as a patient I charged according to
the medical diagnosis. As an MD, I usually could charge and be
reimbursed for an office visit. I encouraged my pregnant and breastfeeding
patients to attend League meetings; I actually found that less awkward
than dealing with moms who were not my patients. I just tried to deal
with it by being very open about what each position meant and tried to
keep the interaction in that unique sphere, although there was a lot of
overlap.
I am now on Leader Reserve, in a new city, and supporting LLL in a
different way. I may reactivate to be AAPL(area assistant professional
liason), as I really enjoy giving
other Leaders breastfeeding-friendly, accurate medical information. I
don't know if I'll go back to actively leading a group (unless baby #2
finally makes his/her appearance and I'm at home again....) because of
the awkwardness.
--
Anne Montgomery, M.D.
[log in to unmask]
St.Peter Hospital Family Practice Residency
Olympia, WA
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