The one thing that will always, always cause me to worry is when you don't attend your scheduled appointment. For some of you, I know you live alone. For those of you who live alone, the game plan is for Liz or me to wait 30-60 minutes and then attempt to reach you by phone. If you don't answer, Liz or I will attempt to reach your emergency contact. Depending on the result of that conversation, 9-1-1 may be be activated. I can't imagine anything worse than needing help and having no avenue to get help. Let me tell you, when I call, there is nothing better than hearing your voice which calms my worry and fears.
Trust... believe it or not, those situations where you take a stance and really and truly only want me to be your physical therapist is scary. There are some of you I have known and treated for a variety of issues over the years. We know each other at a bit deeper level than just you coming in for physical therapy services. Basically, what happens is I begin to care more deeply than what is "recommended" in the medical world. I'm not saying I don't care about everyone I treat, but there's something different when we already know each other. I worry about letting you down and not meeting your needs or expectations.
Recently, I've had more worries on my plate than normal. I was excited to hear someone was going to be returning for physical therapy services. I just saw him in the community at the fitness center in November and he was exercising and really making progress on his own. I was curiously sad he needed services again, but was happy to connect with him and his wife again. My worry alarms went off when he refused to be seen by any other physical therapist. And then, when I saw him again, my heart sank and my worry alarms clanged. He and his wife live alone out in the country. The gentleman couldn't walk more than 20 feet without becoming short of breath. He had gained quite a bit of weight... but he appeared more bloated than obese. He was very unsteady on his feet. Shockingly, he wasn't able to stay alert as I talked with him. I know physical therapy isn't fun, but by no means do I tend to place myself in a category of being boring during any conversation! When he did speak, his speech pattern was different and he was more difficult to understand. Do you know how difficult it is to not be able to be to help in situations like this? And then... to find out Medicare doesn't cover services in a rehabilitation facility unless a minimum of a 3 day hospital stay occurs! Yeah, I worry... he and his wife are in a situation where it is almost guaranteed someone is going to be hurt. The best I could do was share the multiple issues facing this couple and the safety issues with staff at his physician's office. That was horrible too because his physician was out of the country for over a week! The only recommendation the couple can afford is home health services - but that isn't enough for their situation. So... I worry.
When I make a recommendation that will cost you a lot of money, I worry. I know doctors do it all the time when they order various tests and prescribe certain medications. I just don't like to be the one increasing your costs. Sometimes though, you and I both know what I am recommending is going to be beneficial. Sadly, in some cases where obvious benefit will occur, the insurance company won't pay for the recommendation. The WalkAide is one device that can be helpful for certain individuals. Most insurance companies do not cover the device and the only way to change benefit policies is to fight denial after denial after denial. I worry because in trying to help you improve your life situation, my recommendation also adds tremendous stress and financial burden.
So, I worry when I think you may be in an emergency situation or something horrible may happen to you... I worry that I may not be able to meet your expectations and I worry when I knowingly I cause increased stress and financial burden even though I am confident my recommendation will substantially improve your life situation.
What worries you?
photo by The Opus via Flickr
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