On May 17, Henan Provincial Chest Hospital released a push titled “One of the greatest sincerity of the hospital to serve patients is to tell you the mobile phone number of the expert”.
The article mentioned that the exterior wall of Henan Provincial Chest Hospital lists the profiles and phone numbers of hospital experts. “As long as there is a need, you can call them as soon as possible.” . Not only that, but also the phone numbers of more than 100 experts (clinical and medical technology) doctors of vice-high and above are listed in the WeChat subscription account.
Image source: subscription number of Henan Chest Hospital
The article states: “We view follow-up visits and answering patients’ calls as part of our job, and we strive to provide patients with the same services as they would during a hospital stay.”
Unsafe roadside counseling
In the hospital’s publicity draft, several old patients who had been hospitalized called the doctors of the corresponding department and received timely assistance. This is a happy ending for everyone. But equally worthy of attention is the possibility that patients do not have access to specialist help.
At the same time, due to the limited ability of the patient to judge the condition, when faced with a possible critical condition, non-emergency doctors cannot replace 120 to send a car for first aid even if they can make a diagnosis. In the lossy information transmission of telephone, it may cause confusion in seeking help or delay in illness.
According to the Anderson model, the patient’s medical behavior is composed of four dimensions: Contextual Characteristics, Individual Characteristics, Health Behavior and Health Outcomes. , while the medical service process (patient consultation, examination order, doctor-patient communication) aims to consider the interaction between the patient and the medical service provider in the medical process also as a healthy behavior.
Image source: The Development, Application, and Implications of the Anderson Model in Healthcare
And the first phone call with the doctor is playing an important role in patient consultation.
In 2013, J HOSP MED (American Journal of Hospital Medicine) published a study comparing formal and curbside counseling in a study of 47 patients at a university hospital. Patient opinion, with one physician conducting a curbside consultation and another doctor conducting a formal consultation.
The results found that compared with formal consultation, the information error rate of roadside consultation reached 51%. The study believes that roadside consultation is incomplete due to the incomplete information obtained, which will eventually lead to Incorrect medical advice.
Photo credit: J HOSP MED
Should doctors publish phone numbers?
So, should doctors give their patients their cell phone numbers?