Ugh, so hard to call in sick...

lyn*

I have a common upper respiratory tract infection and I am sick. I sound like I have a frog in my throat and I am coughing up a storm and I am a snot factory. I have to deal with patients every day and most of them are very sick and I don't want them to catch what I have - but yet, it's still SO HARD to call in sick.

I usually wait until the LAST minute to do it and try to come into work. I usually work unless I think I'm so unwell I can't make the drive into work. I know this is totally unhealthy for my patients as well as for myself, but I just feel that I am obligated to work.

When my senior resident has a cold, he still works. He doesn't even cover his mouth when he coughs. It's so annoying and I'm pretty sure I have whatever he has - but he hasn't missed a day of work.

I feel like such a pansy. :p

12 years ago

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10 replies

Latest reply was from

Kalli

Active Member

Just remember, you're doing a disservice to all those people you could potentially get sick. If you can handle the stink eye, by all means. Call it good being a good Samaritan for being so courteous enough to stay home.

12 years ago

Glory

Veteran

You are not alone feeling this way. I think it is really hard given your profession and the high expectations therein. You are being too hard on yourself and you will be better for your patients if you rest up! Hope you feel better soon.

12 years ago

Mochi

Veteran

I'm actually getting beyond frustrated in reading this (not that I didn't already know about this attitude). YO, I DO NOT WANT A DOCTOR WITH A COMMUNICABLE DISEASE NEAR ME WHEN MY BODY IS ALREADY COMPROMISED. If a doctor was only harming her or himself, that would be sad still, but don't punish all of us patients!

Not blaming you personally. The pervasive mentality is just disturbing.

12 years ago

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Sorry I try to keep my germs away from all my patients as much as I can; and I try not to talk to them as much when I'm doing my daily assessments and rely more heavily on nursing reports and concerns.

If I have to do a full assessment, I wear appropriate personal protective equipment (In this case a face shield), but I find that it still brings weird looks - both from the nurses (IF YOU ARE SO SICK WHY ARE YOU HERE) and from the patient (OMG MY DOCTOR IS GOING TO BREATHE GERMS ON ME).

I wish they were more clear about when we can take sick time. I know a lot of people abuse sick time as well - so I usually try to go as often as I can. I do typically get sick more often than the typical resident though - probably a combination of asthma and sleep deprivation?

I don't have to work this weekend, so it will be a nice break!

12 years ago

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Being a resident, especially an intern is supremely difficult. When I have cold and have to work I wear a face mask. I'm sorry Lyn, there is no easy answer. Just remember you won't be a resident forever.

12 years ago

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I'm done being a rotating intern in 4 weeks! I can't wait! The rest of my "intern year" is back on home service!

12 years ago

Scarlet

Veteran

That is a great thing about having moved to Europe is that people get really mad at you if you show up to work sick because obviously you infect them then too. Hugs, Lynn, I get that it's not easy, but as a patient I would not want to be examined by a sick doctor.

12 years ago

Parsley

Veteran

Lyn, so sorry you're not feeling well.

Discouraging physicians from staying home when we're sick is one of the weird hypocrisies of medicine. In our group the aphorism is that it's never acceptable to call in sick; the only excused absence is to call in dead. Isn't that awful! At least we're wearing masks most of the time, but it's ridiculous.
Maybe what it will take to change is to have more outraged patients speak up.

Anyway, I hope you feel better soon!

12 years ago

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

That's what I should do next time, call in almost dead :p

I got reamed out once for missing an examination ... even though I was in the hospital.

12 years ago

Anonymous

What Mochi said. You are putting vulnerable at even more risk, never mind yourself.

Call in and ignore what others think

12 years ago

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