RANT/
4yo patient new to me. CP, doesn't walk. Still in diapers. Markedly delayed/intellectually disabled (BTW, I wish they'd update the ICD-10s/IMOs because "mental retardation" is an outmoded term and it's still the one I have to use on the problem list).
NOBODY at her prior practice had thought to order a PT referral. NOBODY at her prior practice had prescribed a wheelchair, walker, or stroller. NOBODY had done an OT referral. NOBODY had offered to prescribe diapers. I was honestly appalled.
By the end of the visit, her mom was looking at me like I was some sort of saint as I put in referral after referral after referral and DME orders. As for me, I just got more and more horrified through the whole visit. This mom is ready to cry tears of joy because I did what I consider to be the bare minimum of my job. But really what happened is that someone had dropped the ball really badly and her mom had just accepted that as par for the course.
I don't get it. You don't do Pediatrics for prestige, money, or power (if you did, someone really failed at giving you career advice). There is one reason to do this job and that's because you care about kids. So why are you doing this if you're going to suck at it?
/rant
-PGY-22