Commuter Mom: Eye Contact

We had to use the urgent care/after hours services at our pediatrician’s office last weekend. Everyone is fine, but Commuter Girl needed to get checked out, and it couldn’t wait until Monday.

So, Sunday night, we headed out to the doctor’s office and saw a family practitioner who is a member of our network. If I hadn’t felt like it would be an inappropriate time to give feedback, or that my daughter’s care may have been compromised by my comments, here’s what I would have said to Dr. A during our visit.

Don’t hide behind your laptop. You came into the exam room and didn’t even look at us as you sat down and started typing and searching on your computer. The first 5 minutes of our time together you seemed to be browsing through what I am guessing was some kind of medical resource or a database of symptoms. Or, were you updating your Facebook status while we were telling you what was going on with our daughter? I know this wasn’t really a “clear cut” case, but you gave me no confidence in your ability to diagnose my daughter. You spent no time getting to know us or making my daughter comfortable with you. It’s no wonder she wouldn’t stick out her tongue and say “ahhhh” when you asked. Technology is great -- and I love the fact that all of our doctors are in the same network and can easily pull up notes and information from each other. But, there is a time and a place for your laptop. You are treating a person. Put the laptop aside for a moment and talk to me.