What is it about the middle of the night that makes people think they should go to the emergency room for their problems?
Here is a not so uncommon patient. Mr. Schlofferboot presents to the ED complaining of "eye pain." On further questioning, he reports the pain to have been present for somewhere between 3 and 4 weeks, although he isn't quite certain. At this point there are two available paths, or follow up questions if you will. The first: "Why the hell did you come now, then?' The second: "So what changed about your condition which made you decide to come to the ED now?" The first question may get me in trouble, if nothing else make me mad at myself later when Mr. Schlofferboot details some sob story about how his mom was ill and he had to be out of town where there wasn't a nearby doctor. The second at least allows him to explain himself; whether or not I choose to believe him is another story.
Fact is, it is usually not the Schlofferboot family drama keeping people from seeking care during daylight. People go to the ED seeking free, or at least cheap, health care. Emergency doctors being just like most others (and no offense), the eyes present somewhat of a mystery. And then in academics, every patient is just expected to be seen at the drop of a hat. While this is largely inappropriate (again no disrespect to our ED physicians) it just happens to be the culture of academic medicine - no consult gets turned down. Mostly.
So, Mr. Schlofferboot, if something is bothering you for more than a couple days, but not so much you seek emergency care emergently, the emergency room is not your best choice. Call your doctor, or the nearest eye doctor. Because unlike many other specialties, you don't usually need a referral to see an eye doctor.
Mr. Schlofferboot is a made up person. Any (un)likeness of this person to a real person, named Mr. Schlofferboot or otherwise, is purely coincidental and should be ignored. Except for the decision to delay seeking care part.
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