Why Free Medical Consultations should Stop.
Have you ever asked a doctor friend for free medical consultations?
Ever wonder why a lot of Doctors are poor?
Yeah, you got it right – free medical consultations.
Sadly, yours truly is a major victim.
If I was given a penny for every free consultation I have given, I’d probably be on a remote Island somewhere, sipping fruit juice under a coconut tree, being served by various butlers in black and white tuxedos.
Free Medical Consultations are Tempting
The temptation to give free consultations comes in various forms especially via telephone and text messages. Sometimes, you are even required to reply using your own credit.
Examples of questions I have been asked on the phone include:
“My son has what looks like a rash, what can I give him?”
“I have a swelling here, what do I use?”
Note, in these instances, I have no means of seeing the offending rash or swelling, nor am I given more information about it. Somehow, I have to provide a cure over the distance.
You could also be out in public and someone introduces you as a doctor, the next thing is, “Doctor what do you think this is?” “What can I use?”
I have decided to stop giving free consultations/ services because of my experience with two cases:
1. The case of Mr B.
Mr B who is diabetic and hypertensive works in a utility company. This company through Mr. B has given me ridiculous bills. Mr B claims not to have any say in the billing. However he comes to my home to have his blood pressure and sugar checked and receive a new prescription. I don’t request a dime from him.
2.The case of Mr E.
Mr E does some work and electric fittings for me, he is always paid in full. After work he asks,”Dr I have this pain here, What can I take?”
I am expected to give him a free prescription .
WHY PEOPLE EXPECT FREE CONSULTATIONS FROM DOCTORS?
1. Medicine is a ‘ humanitarian’ profession.
This comes from the so called Hippocratic oath. I’ve read through the original and Modern versions, no where did I see it written, “I shall work for free.”
2. Knew you before you became a doctor:
Yes, we grew up together, or went to the same college, I don’t have to pay to see you or to ask your opinion do I?
3. Doctors lack of business sense.
So my new resolution is – no more free consultations.
Are you in support? What is your take on the issue?
We do get asked anything and everything, that's for sure. One time I visited a dermatologist for a skin lesion. After I waited almost two hours to see her, she spent about 10 seconds examining my lesion. She then proceeded to spend the next 10 minutes asking ME about her child's reflux (she knew I was a pediatrician). And yet she still sent me a bill! Something seemed wrong with that picture.
I don't mind getting asked questions by friends and relatives, but it is a bit awkward when they ask me about the prostate. Don't do too much with that organ in pediatrics. 🙂
It's the reverence thing Dr E…
But you are correct and should make it you New Year resolution.
Anna :o]
Hahaha Carrie, you always crack me up; you completely get what I'm talking about.
Thank you Anna, will work on it.
I dont know.. I do that with my nurse friend… he lets me know what to do and I go see my doctor.
Hi doc.
The most common scenario is a phone call like this. ‘Dr I have so, so, and so. Pls what drugs can you recommend for me? He/she now wants me to diagnose and then recommend drugs for free.
Then the patient will go over to the chemist and pay for the drugs. And if the drugs don’t work, it’s me they’ll be harassing.
A colleague got into trouble once cos he prescribed over the phone and the woman hid the fact that she was pregnant. She had a miscarriage and attributed it to the drug he recommended . Not the chemist, or the drug coy.
This is a classical case of monkey dey work baboon dey chop.
I’ve told all those I know that I don’t do phone treatment when you’re ill. But in my free time I can educate you about health matters.
So I tell them to go to the nearest govt hospital to their location.
Nigerians can kill with freebies.
Indeed monkey dey work baboon dey chop. The medico legal risks are very important and one should be very careful. Thank you