Why Nigerian Doctors don’t speak with relatives

In advanced countries, having telephone conversations with patient relatives is a norm and doctors are duty bound to speak with patient relatives over the phone.

This is important because a lot of times such relatives are too far away or in other countries and are really concerned to know about the health of their loved one. Even when they are near, they may have some concerns that they need to speak about or clarify with the doctor.

Other times these relatives have useful information that may help in the treatment of their loved ones. such as the history of previous drugs used, past operations etc. So you find doctors in the western world creating time to speak with concerned relatives over the phone.

But what do we have?

You tell a doctor someone or your relative wants to speak with him or her and they go into defence mode:

“Why does he want to speak with me?”

“Sorry, I’m very busy”. Or the favourite:

“I don’t speak with anyone over the phone.”

Just recently, I tried to speak with a supposed colleague doctor on the phone. I got the reply that she won’t speak with anyone. This shocked and upset me but I was not surprised.

Reasons for such behaviour

1. The doctor has no idea who is on the other line.
2. Relatives usually want to ask for some favours that are beyond the powers of the doctor like getting bed spaces when there are none.
3. You become liable after picking up such calls. You could be used as a scapegoat if something goes wrong.
4. The relatives will keep on the neck of the doctor whether or not the doctor is the one on duty.

Are these excuses enough for a doctor to refuse to speak with you over the phone? Is it time for our attitudes to change?