911 or Leave a Message, That is the Question!

It's a funny thing to work as a receptionist in a Family Practice office. The funny thing is, you are often confused with having some innate medical knowledge by virtue of picking up the phone. It's as if the new thing for patients to do is to rely on the critical thinking skills of an anonymous phone person than their own common sense.

New parents are the funniest. They will often place you in the driver's seat of the "Decision Making" tour bus and rely on your every twist and turn to arrive safely at "We Avoided This Crisis" Hotel.

Today's conversation ran as such:

Parent: "my child seems to be blue and is having difficulty breathing, what do you think I should do?"
Me: "call 911 or go the emergency room, ma'am. Not breathing is a medical emergency"
Parent: "...wellllll.....are you sure? I mean, would it be better if I just came down to the office? I mean I'm not sure if he is really NOT breathing or if he is even blue for that matter..........."

Immediately my mind begins to race and the real me wants to say:

"Listen Lady, I don't have any kids and the first thing you are taught in school is that if someone isn't breathing you call 911.....I mean....the only real number you are REQUIRED to remember in order to graduate kindergarten IS 911....did your Mom brain kick that precious three digit number out to make room for napping and feeding times?"

However, the professional me replied:

"Ma'am please do not wait, go straight to the ER NOW! One of our doctors will call to follow up with you in the morning."

I wonder sometimes, if technology has crippled society! I mean...the creation of these medical records was phenomenal and saves a heck of a lot of time....but what about all these other things that don't allow you brain to think anymore? Like all these applications that do everything short of breathing for you? Have we forgotten the simple lessons from our youth? Or has this crazy thing called adulthood blinded us to the harsh reality that things aren't really as complicated as they seem and everything that we think is "childish" is really logical and life saving?

Well, I'm just a receptionist trying to find my place in the world, but I hope, if needed, I will know when to call 911 or leave a message for my doctor!