In a way, looking back, I felt I was indifferent at best & negligent at worst.
The nurse called me last night about a late admission. This patient was supposed to have surgery this afternoon & I would usually see & assess on the morning of the surgery. Not knowing any detail of this patient, I refrained from giving any medical advice over the phone, lest it was inappropriate. Besides, once I start getting involved, I know the nurses will call me for every discomfort the patient may complain of throughout the night.
Therein lies my predicament. I am a doctor and yet I want a good nite of uninterrupted sleep, because I am not on call.
At my age, I dislike, & try to avoid, on-call duties, because I am on my worst behaviour without sleep.
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