Thread by @UofA007MD

Another example of us lazy, greedy rural family docs... 🧵 for Shandro (I'm blocked) and @jkenney's files.

@DShepYEG
@abndpcaucus
@RachelNotley
@Albertadoctors
#abpoli

Saw a Lodge patient yesterday on behalf of a colleague (they've been away helping cover other rural ERs). 1/

I suspected a stubborn skin infection had progressed to osteomyelitis (bone infection). Ordered a combination of antibiotics, which the pharmacy delivered. Also had family take them for an xray to help confirm the diagnosis. 2/

Just got a call from nursing staff at the Lodge (I'm not on call, theoretically supposed to have an entire long weekend off, which is a rarity). Xray report came in, confirming the bone infection. Staff asking if I'd like them to go through the Nurse Practitioner on-call...3/

(who is based in the city, covering numerous sites, will have no background knowledge of the patient), or if I would prefer to give follow-up instructions myself.

The staff know that even though I'm not the patient's own doc, I know them and the family well, having provided...4/

...palliative care to the spouse when they passed away at the Lodge several years ago.

Gave the LPN answers to the ?'s I expect the family will have, instructions re: what changes would warrant a trip to the ER this weekend, and am now writing an urgent referral letter to...5/

...arrange for the patient to be seen next week for surgical debridement of the infected bone.

For the time spent today (Sat of the long weekend), I will be paid roughly $20. But trying to keep the patient at the Lodge (their home) instead of them ending up at the hospital...6/

...during the COVID pandemic is worth it. No wonder @jkenney et al label us as lazy and greedy! (sarcasm, obviously). 🙄