Real-Life Decision Making -- Solution
You tell the parents you will no longer be able to provide medical
care to their child:
About 10 minutes after their scheduled appointment, the Robertsons finally
arrive. As they are walking in, you are observing the waiting room of your
very busy clinic. It is full with families, all waiting for their turn. You
are booked solid for the next three months, and it is nearly impossible for
you to see new patients. You think to yourself that it is unfair for the Robertsons
to cut into the time of other patients.
As you proceed with the appointment, you inform the Robertsons that this
will be the last time you will be seeing their child. You explain to the
Robertsons that constantly being late for appointments, failing to work with
their child and simply not doing their part in the entire treatment process
are all hurting their child's progress and positive results. Therefore it
is best for you and them if they find other care.
"There have been times that I've had to say to a parent, 'I can't continue
to provide services to your child because you are not actively participating
in your child's care,'" says Alison Grimes.
"And so that's kind of sad because the child ends up suffering
because the parent is not being responsible," says Grimes.