Reduce greasy fats! 😂 It's sad that his other doctors and surgeon (or the nurses) didn't go over all this upon discharge after surgery. As a nurse, I applaud your efforts and attention to detail. Depending on the urgent care facility, they can often see many less patients than an ED at a hospital, or even a general practice, so would have a bit more time to really TALK to the patients and draw out this necessary information. I'm considering NP programs and think an urgent care is probably an excellent place to work, and solidify skills - at least for communication, patient interaction, and learning how to connect the dots by a thorough history. I know some urgent care facilities are busier than others, however, but it is still usually a less hurried, high-acuity environment than a hospital ED (like I mentioned above) or even a private practice. Something as simple as loose stools after cholecystectomy can sadly be missed or blown off by many. Isn't this a case of the old adage - "when you hear hooves, think horses, not zebras" ? Thank you for taking your time to discuss this case experience. And it's good to know there are providers such as yourself who care. I happen to work with many who have seemed to forgotten the basics you describe. ❤
Thanks for the great message! Yes unfortunately in today’s corporate medical environment we are required to get patients in and out as quickly as possible, treating patient care like an assembly line. Simple things like this get missed and cause suffering. In urgent care, when we’re busy we unfortunately have to sacrifice time spent with the patient. But in those rare cases when we do have a little extra time it’s very gratifying to practice real medicine. Unfortunately it’s the exception not the rule.
