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I see other doctors as patients. Granted, other doctors also see me as a patient.
Seeing another doctor always adds an extra layer of challenge to the job. Even if they’re not in my field, I worry they’re secretly criticizing what I’m doing and thinking I’m clueless. Odds are favorable that they did a neurology rotation at some point, and so are at least somewhat familiar with the history and exam.
I suspect other doctors get bigger work-ups than nondoctors. Some of it may be for legal reasons, but I think most of it is that we figure they expect it from us (although, realistically, I’m not looking for a bunch of tests when I go to the doctor). As a result, more MRI scans and labs are ordered to search for both horses and zebras.
I can’t say that I’ve found weird or scary stuff in other doctors any more than what I’ve found in the general population, but somehow I worry more about missing something. Maybe some of it is the feeling that we’re all part of the same family, so I need to take care of brethren. Or a nervous feeling that they’re inwardly rolling their eyes and thinking that I’m an idiot if I don’t order a certain test. It might be more likely that they’re sitting there wondering why the hell anyone would want to be a neurologist because they hated their rotation in it.
When it comes to treatment, similar thoughts come up. Other doctors know the meds – although so does anyone with a smartphone these days – and I worry that, inwardly, they’re secretly criticizing my choice of poison or are going to argue with me about side effects.
Like any doctor, I want to give equal care to all. But human nature means different circumstances can change our mindset, and we have to overcome that. Good or bad, it’s part of the job.
Dr. Block has a solo neurology practice in Scottsdale, Ariz.
I see other doctors as patients. Granted, other doctors also see me as a patient.
Seeing another doctor always adds an extra layer of challenge to the job. Even if they’re not in my field, I worry they’re secretly criticizing what I’m doing and thinking I’m clueless. Odds are favorable that they did a neurology rotation at some point, and so are at least somewhat familiar with the history and exam.
I suspect other doctors get bigger work-ups than nondoctors. Some of it may be for legal reasons, but I think most of it is that we figure they expect it from us (although, realistically, I’m not looking for a bunch of tests when I go to the doctor). As a result, more MRI scans and labs are ordered to search for both horses and zebras.
I can’t say that I’ve found weird or scary stuff in other doctors any more than what I’ve found in the general population, but somehow I worry more about missing something. Maybe some of it is the feeling that we’re all part of the same family, so I need to take care of brethren. Or a nervous feeling that they’re inwardly rolling their eyes and thinking that I’m an idiot if I don’t order a certain test. It might be more likely that they’re sitting there wondering why the hell anyone would want to be a neurologist because they hated their rotation in it.
When it comes to treatment, similar thoughts come up. Other doctors know the meds – although so does anyone with a smartphone these days – and I worry that, inwardly, they’re secretly criticizing my choice of poison or are going to argue with me about side effects.
Like any doctor, I want to give equal care to all. But human nature means different circumstances can change our mindset, and we have to overcome that. Good or bad, it’s part of the job.
Dr. Block has a solo neurology practice in Scottsdale, Ariz.
I see other doctors as patients. Granted, other doctors also see me as a patient.
Seeing another doctor always adds an extra layer of challenge to the job. Even if they’re not in my field, I worry they’re secretly criticizing what I’m doing and thinking I’m clueless. Odds are favorable that they did a neurology rotation at some point, and so are at least somewhat familiar with the history and exam.
I suspect other doctors get bigger work-ups than nondoctors. Some of it may be for legal reasons, but I think most of it is that we figure they expect it from us (although, realistically, I’m not looking for a bunch of tests when I go to the doctor). As a result, more MRI scans and labs are ordered to search for both horses and zebras.
I can’t say that I’ve found weird or scary stuff in other doctors any more than what I’ve found in the general population, but somehow I worry more about missing something. Maybe some of it is the feeling that we’re all part of the same family, so I need to take care of brethren. Or a nervous feeling that they’re inwardly rolling their eyes and thinking that I’m an idiot if I don’t order a certain test. It might be more likely that they’re sitting there wondering why the hell anyone would want to be a neurologist because they hated their rotation in it.
When it comes to treatment, similar thoughts come up. Other doctors know the meds – although so does anyone with a smartphone these days – and I worry that, inwardly, they’re secretly criticizing my choice of poison or are going to argue with me about side effects.
Like any doctor, I want to give equal care to all. But human nature means different circumstances can change our mindset, and we have to overcome that. Good or bad, it’s part of the job.
Dr. Block has a solo neurology practice in Scottsdale, Ariz.
