On 26/11/2006, at 3:36, Nina Berry wrote:

> There is a power dynamic between doctors and nurses (which can be  
> compounded
> if the doc is man and the nurse is a woman) and doctors and just about
> anyone else who is not a doctor.  (Have you ever noticed how the way a
> person is spoken to in emergency changes dramatically when the staff
> discover that he/she is a doctor?)  This can make it really tough  
> to make
> that phone call.  I am wondering if you can give those of us non- 
> docs some
> tips about how to approach this without antagonising the person we are
> speaking to.

The golden rule, I think, is to always assume the best. Approaching  
the conversation from the point of view that there has been an  
inadvertent misunderstanding, perhaps in the gap between doctor's  
advice and patient's understanding, might be one useful way to go.  
(Not forgetting that not uncommonly, there has been.)  Without  
leaving a space in which the HCP must feel clearly obliged to either  
defend themselves or "own up":

"Hello Dr Blah, I'm xyz, I thought I'd briefly let you know about our  
consultation today. I am concerned that Ms Lala may have  
misunderstood some advice on ABC, because she seemed to be under the  
impression that [etc]. My breastfeeding assessment was [insert  
assessment/recommendation here]. I'll write a followup report to your  
office address. [any medical followup needed]"

(consider adding something you think the doctor will find credible/ 
authoritative, a highlighted AAP guideline or similar, to the  
consultation report letter, making it look like a routine addition  
(perhaps it should be?) if you feel this would be useful.)

Lara Hopkins

             ***********************************************

To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail
To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest)
To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
All commands go to [log in to unmask]

The LACTNET email list is powered by LISTSERV (R).
There is only one LISTSERV. To learn more, visit:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html