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Original poster

Being at the end of a doctor's list

50 replies

Colinfirth · 09/02/2008 18:20

I am having a procedure about which I feel very anxious and have discovered that I am at the end of the doctor's list for the day. It seems obvious to me that the doctor is likely to be tired, have low blood sugar and probably will be more apt to make mistakes late in his list. Does anyone have any insight into whether this a rational worry (doctors / other medical professionals / anybody)? Any thoughts helpful!

OP posts:
fingerwoman · 09/02/2008 18:23

well someone has to be last. and how do you know the doctor will have been there all day? he may just be in for the afternoon doing a couple of procedures.

misdee · 09/02/2008 18:24

totally irrational.

HTH.

Original poster
Colinfirth · 09/02/2008 18:24

Well I know someone has to be last but it doesn't make you feel great if you know that your procedure is delicate and difficult. I believe he has a full list.

OP posts:
Original poster
Colinfirth · 09/02/2008 18:25

Thanks, misdee. I know you are likely to know; that helps. I am not actually Colin Firth incidentally but someone so mad and superstitious I have namechanged for this.

OP posts:
misdee · 09/02/2008 18:26

is it at the hospital or at the docs surgery?

i have never had this worry btw.

Original poster
Colinfirth · 09/02/2008 18:27

Hospital.

OP posts:
misdee · 09/02/2008 18:28

i wouldnt worry too much, some docs do get breaks.

do you trust them at the hospital? i always found having trust helps.

Original poster
Colinfirth · 09/02/2008 18:30

I don't feel very trusting at the moment having had a bad experience in the summer (different hospital but rather shook my faith in doctors).

OP posts:
misdee · 09/02/2008 18:31

see, i get you there. i dont trust the local hospital at all. and avoid it where possible.

how delicate a procedure are we talking? is it considered routine?

Original poster
Colinfirth · 09/02/2008 18:33

Pretty delicate and difficult as I understand it, not routine, although the consultant doing it is an expert.

OP posts:
misdee · 09/02/2008 18:35

as an expert you should be fine. can ulook him up on the internet and check out his 'stats'?

Original poster
Colinfirth · 09/02/2008 18:39

He told me his stats (or at least the stats of his two-person team) but I can't help wondering if the stats vary depending on which slot you end up in? Can you get hold of inidvidual stats on the internet? Thanks, misdee, for your thoughts, am very grateful.

OP posts:
Flamesparrow · 09/02/2008 18:44

I know nothing about doctors etc, but had to lol @ "I am not actually Colin Firth incidentally but someone so mad and superstitious I have namechanged for this." Just incase anyone was wondering

Original poster
Colinfirth · 09/02/2008 18:48

Ah well, Flamesparrow, am not quite so far gone in anxiety as to have utterly misplaced sense of own ludicrousness...

OP posts:
Flamesparrow · 09/02/2008 19:00
Smile
Original poster
Colinfirth · 09/02/2008 19:11

Bumping for any further thoughts...

OP posts:
Original poster
Colinfirth · 09/02/2008 19:21

Shameless further bump - help an exsmoker not go and buy a small packet of fags...

OP posts:
littlepinkpixie · 09/02/2008 19:26

I think that it is usual to put the more complicated people at the start of a list, so if this was me I would probably take being last as a positive sign (but probably be a bit bothered that I might have a bit of waiting around!)
good luck with your op

Original poster
Colinfirth · 09/02/2008 19:29

Thanks littlepinkpixie. I sort of think that too but in my state of gruesome Woody Allen-esque anxiety keep thinking "Ah, that's because they don't want the doctors all tired and fumble-fingered on the really tough stuff"...

OP posts:
JSo · 09/02/2008 19:33

I think it is a rational concern cos that is the way I think ...however generally the doctors take every patient as important as the one before and whether he is tired or not i am sure he will give "the last hurdle of the day" as much concern as the "first"....I was docs last on list about 18 months ago and he was fab and did not seem tired, fed up, bored, or exude feelings of wanting to go home.....I was treating as though I was very important regardless of my listing ..do understand your concerns though...and just wnated to tell you my exp and hope it makes you feel better..good luck. Jso x

Original poster
Colinfirth · 09/02/2008 19:37

Thank you JSo, that is a kind and reassuring post.

OP posts:
JSo · 09/02/2008 20:06

No probs hun...hope it makes you sleep better until your appointment ..please let us know how you get on..have put you on watch

Original poster
Colinfirth · 09/02/2008 20:44

Ahem, am bumping again because can't leave it and think some doctor-y type person who just happened to have done a study of this will produce statistics which show it is great to be at end of list...
I should go drink a beer...

OP posts:
Sidge · 09/02/2008 20:49

I wouldn't worry.

A friend of mine is a senior registrar working in plastics, does lots of delicate work on hands, eyes, cleft palate repairs etc and has a quick break between patients to sit down, have a wee and a drink etc.

He says that operating is such a buzz that each case is like the first one of the day.

Original poster
Colinfirth · 09/02/2008 21:01

Oh Sidge, that is great to hear - does your friend also eat a banana? Worry about low bloodsugar...

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