Who Is My Patient?

摘要

I work in a three-partner practice with about 5100 patients. We have open lists so any of these could be under my care and therefore qualify as mine. Many of these never come to see me, and others will be looked after by colleagues from other practices if they fall ill out of hours. In the same way, I cover patients outside my practice area on weekend shifts and in my hospital work in the local neurology department. Consultants usually see local patients but they may receive referrals from out of the area or even abroad if they have an international reputation. Many newly arrived immigrants have access to our health system, while I have treated patients during overseas work in Afghanistan, Africa, and New Zealand. We all share a responsibility for people who fall ill when we are the nearest medical attendant, even if we are on holiday! The last time this happened to me I looked after a Frenchman having a heart attack in California.