Letters to the Editors

A book to help self-destructive patients

FP Kerri Peterson's story of how she saved the life of a neighbor who had tried to kill herself ["My Wednesday Off," May 23] did not address how a physician could help someone who may be suicidal. Let me suggest a book, How I stayed alive when my brain was trying to kill me: One person's guide to suicide prevention, by Susan Rose Blauner (William Morrow, 2002). Written by a young woman after years of suicide gestures and serious attempts, it is a worthwhile addition to the sparse armamentarium of suicide-prevention tools we physicians can draw on.

David L. Arkin, MD
Glen Allen, VA

When generalists perform stress tests

Your Malpractice Consult about the liability issues that arise when primary care doctors perform cardiac stress tests seemed to suggest that we generalists are not qualified to do the job ["Stress test responsibilities," May 23]. This was a disservice to your readers.

We primary care physicians are well aware that we're held to the same standard of care as specialists when we perform procedures such as cardiac stress tests and endoscopies, or when we offer dermatologic or obstetric services. But this does not preclude us from providing such care; it just requires that we receive proper training.

It is my responsibility as a physician to maintain my skills and practice within the scope of my expertise, whatever procedures I choose to perform. The important thing is knowing one's limitations—not having others impose limitations needlessly.

Kristin K. Elliott, MD
Marquette, MI

A group's liability when a member is sued

I really enjoyed Berkeley Rice's article, "Could a malpractice mega-verdict wipe you out?" [May 23]. One point that he did not mention, though, is that plaintiffs' attorneys can go after a medical group's accounts receivable if the corporation is sued along with an individual doctor. Even if they were not personally named in the suit, all the shareholders' A/R can be taken.

Joe Laden
Business Manager
Anesthesia Associates of Louisville
Louisville

There's no business like show business

I really appreciated "Do you care too much?" [May 23]. Well written! Well said! I know. I've been there. Seventeen years ago, I was "doing it all"—coming in early, staying late, attending every meeting, responding immediately to every request, justifying every recommendation.

Then I had major cancer surgery. Things changed. I did less and appreciated things more—and my patients seemed to appreciate me more. Three months after my second cancer operation I was playing Chief Sitting Bull in a community theater production of Annie Get Your Gun. Now at the age of 62, I'm cancer free, still working—and still delighting my patients and colleagues on stage at our local community theater.

Joshua B. Grossman
Johnson City, TN

Wearing many hats—and nametags

When I graduated from medical school, I became a "Medical Doctor." Then I started my internship as a "House Officer." After three years of residency, I became a "Fellow," and, finally, a licensed "Physician." Then came managed care, and now—lumped in with therapists and naturopaths—I'm a "Provider." To my liability carrier, I'm an "Insured Member." On the EOBs of some health plans I appear as a "Vendor." And now, under HIPAA, I have become a "Covered Entity" and have assumed the role of "Privacy Officer."

What's next? It's so nice when my patients still greet me with "How are you, Doc?"

Roswitha Moehring, MD
Denver

Edited by Liz O'Brien,
Associate Editor

Address correspondence to Letters Editor, Medical Economics, 5 Paragon Drive, Montvale, NJ 07645-1742. Or e-mail your comments to meletters@medec.com, or fax them to 201-722-2688. Include your address and daytime phone number. Letters may be edited for length and style. Unless you specify otherwise, we'll assume your letter is for publication.

 

Letters to the Editors. Medical Economics Sep. 5, 2003;80:10.