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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Looney Tunes on July 25, 2008, at 22:56:17
.....the calls?
Anyone understand, cause I sure don't, especially if the client barely calls?
I think I am giving up on this T thing...I just don't get it.
Posted by Lemonaide on July 25, 2008, at 23:24:15
In reply to Why have an emergency phone if T does not return, posted by Looney Tunes on July 25, 2008, at 22:56:17
Is it a call service or a cell phone number? T's sometimes are in the middle of personal stuff that they can't always answer right away, but I would think they would call you back within an hour, like a med. doctor. I know my T doesn't take his phone in the shower with him, or while he is exercising, or doing other personal stuff(like using the bathroom.
What is going on? Anything we can help with until you hear back from them?
Posted by sunnydays on July 25, 2008, at 23:46:25
In reply to Why have an emergency phone if T does not return, posted by Looney Tunes on July 25, 2008, at 22:56:17
My T does that too... I know how hard it can be. He's explained that sometimes when he's at home he just completely forgets to check his messages. It's not that he doesn't care, he just is very distractable (which I have seen evidence of). It's not an excuse, and it's really not a good practice, but at least ask your T about it or address it in some way and give him/her the opportunity to rectify the situation before terminating.
sunnydays
Posted by Looney Tunes on July 26, 2008, at 0:15:09
In reply to Re: Why have an emergency phone if T does not return » Looney Tunes, posted by sunnydays on July 25, 2008, at 23:46:25
From a general point of view: ..... By the next day, it could be too late.
Either have one and respond as it says "within 1/2 hour" or don't have one and tell clients that hours are "x thru x."
Now I feel like an *ss that I called the emergency number (It was an emergency) but T did not care to call back until later the next day. I did not even bother to talk to T.
Issue over by the following day, and dealt with by myself in the unhealthy method I know.Whatever....I just dont get it. Can't depend on T for emergencies I guess.
Posted by Lemonaide on July 26, 2008, at 0:54:32
In reply to Re: Why have an emergency phone if T does not return, posted by Looney Tunes on July 26, 2008, at 0:15:09
Have you and your T defined what emergencies are that get immediate responses from him? What may be an emergency to you personally, isn't to him. I can only think of sucide for my T on what an immediate emergency would be, otherwise it can wait till later or even the next day.
Posted by raisinb on July 26, 2008, at 3:38:15
In reply to Why have an emergency phone if T does not return, posted by Looney Tunes on July 25, 2008, at 22:56:17
That sounds strange to me. Emergencies are emergencies and they are serious--that is why they are called emergencies. My therapist's emergency voice mail message promises to call back within 20 minutes. I have only used it once (dire, dire circumstances) but she did (19 minutes, to be exact :)). If you left an emergency voice mail and the therapist did not call back within the stated time, that is a breach of good practice, in my opinion. How can you trust if you don't know that the person will be there for you if you are absolutely at the limit? Bring it up with this therapist. Ask what exactly the policy is and question why it isn't being followed.
Posted by Phillipa on July 26, 2008, at 12:13:40
In reply to Re: Why have an emergency phone if T does not retu » Looney Tunes, posted by raisinb on July 26, 2008, at 3:38:15
All the therapists I've seen have a recording that says if an emergency call 911. To me this means they don't care? Why not an answering service at least that can screen the calls for real emergencies? Love Phillipa
Posted by raisinb on July 26, 2008, at 12:18:20
In reply to Re: Why have an emergency phone if T does not retu, posted by Phillipa on July 26, 2008, at 12:13:40
My therapist's practice uses a voice mail paging system. You can pick from an emergency VM and a non-emergency. The therapist is paged immediately after the message is left, but the pages are different so they know how desperate the situation is. The message the practice has says if for some reason your therapist doesn't get back to you in 20 min, to call again, and to page the head of the practice as well until you get somebody. I have only ever used the emergency one once in 3 and a half years, but it is very good knowing that it exists.
Posted by seldomseen on July 26, 2008, at 12:18:41
In reply to Re: Why have an emergency phone if T does not retu, posted by Phillipa on July 26, 2008, at 12:13:40
Well my therapist doesn't have such a recording. I am sure however, if my life were in danger he would tell me to immediately hang up and call 911.
I think it is just the responsible thing to do.
Posted by sunnydays on July 26, 2008, at 16:36:03
In reply to Re: Why have an emergency phone if T does not retu, posted by Phillipa on July 26, 2008, at 12:13:40
Because no such system is fool-proof, Phillipa. Ultimately, people HAVE to be responsible for their own safety and well-being. If there is an answering service, what happens if the T is having their own personal emergency and can't call back right away? Ultimately the only sure thing for someone in such dire need is to call 911. They can call their T too, but if you are that desperate, you need someone who will respond to you immediately, and 911 will be sure to do that. Also, people at an answering service I don't think are usually trained to deal with people in crisis, so that could end up being more unhelpful than helpful, IMO.
It doesn't mean Ts don't care, it just means they are human beings. Do we really have a right to expect more than that?
sunnydays
Posted by Phillipa on July 26, 2008, at 20:58:39
In reply to Re: Why have an emergency phone if T does not retu » Phillipa, posted by sunnydays on July 26, 2008, at 16:36:03
No excellent point. Thanks Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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