Abstract
We9ve got a cut finger here. Can we meet you at the office right away? The mother9s voice on the phone was calm but insistent. Which is this? I asked. Well, actually, it9s me. My doctor doesn9t do suturing and I don9t feel like waiting around the emergency room. I had no problem telling her politely that I would call the hospital to let them know she was coming. Clearly, this was an inappropriate request to make of a pediatrician covering a large practice on a weekend, especially when other help was available. But what about the parent who calls after hours regarding a diaper rash? How about the father who insists that you put a diagnosis other than well child on the charge slip, so his insurance will cover the routine examination? Does it change your mind when he points out that you discussed the child9s headaches during the visit? How about the mother who wants erythromycin for her because it9s the only thing that clears up his ears? Our orientation is to give our patients what they need. We are there to help and to give. Rightly so. And most of the time it is appropriate to give what is requested.
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