More Therapy Please
Every once in a while there will be a patient or two who come to the department asking what else they can do after receiving services earlier in the day. Some patients will even "hang out" in the department, awaiting their turn for us to see them. While waiting they will ask questions regarding their care.
These patients are unique in that they demand extra time. Although they work hard, they can also be distracting as we try to treat other patients who need services. These patients are driven, which is good, but consume so much time and energy that it can be difficult to move on to other patients.
I have tried to put them to work by lifting weights, or using the bike or UBE but this is only a short convenience for me. When they stop after a couple of minutes, they ask questions, comment on another patient's treatment or try to engage me in conversation. My impression is these people are bored and want to do something constructive, but also want to get better or else they would not be there. Then there is the issue of how much time do I bill for the time away from other patients?
I always figure if patients have the temerity to self-propel to the therapy gym, they want to work. But when they become a distraction it is time for them to go. I just don't want to be the person to ask them to leave.