Follow
Share

LO passed away. He had been seeing PCP regularly. We have not heard from the doctor, but the doctor’s was notified via email. Should we expect a call or card of sympathy?

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
No, they don't , and honestly, it's because they need to see their patients as patients, and less as people for their own sanity.

I had a neighbor who was a pediatric ICU doctor caring for the sickest babies and child there are. She lost a fair number of patients, but for self-preservation, she couldn't allow herself to mourn them or get too attached. I only saw her distraught over one patient in 10 years -- a little boy they'd had there for the first seven months of his life. He was finally ready to go home, and he died his first night home. She was completely destroyed, and she could never get that attached to her patients again because her mental health could never survive it.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

We received a card from my moms cardiologist and staff. I thought it was very thoughtful and certainly not expected.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

I'm sorry for your loss. Probably not. You didn't really have to e-mail. Once the death is noted by Social Security, I believe anyone or business that provided service to the deceased person with that number would be notified, thanks to computers

My mom passed, no card or anything from the PCP she had been seeing for several years. (She quietly dropped her when she was in rehab/nursing home) her hospital records were immediately sent to an off site storage facility the hospital uses, her MyChart account could not be accessed, even the drugstore she used to get her prescriptions her account could not be accessed. There was nothing from either Ophthalmologist she had been going to for several years.

The doctor's office when notified, would close out his account and submit any outstanding bills for payment to his insurance, Medicare or Medicaid.

You can look at it this way, you don't ever have to deal with this doctor ever again unless you want to. In short you can be like the title of the Fleetwood Mac song "Go Your Own Way"
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

No, people Dr's do not, but when we had to have our cat put down many years ago, the vets office sent a sympathy card that everyone signed, and they also sent a floral arrangement the very next day. Go figure!
I'm sorry for your loss.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report
Cover99 Jul 2021
That was really nice of them. Only time vet called us was to find out if we were going to come back to them. Once they were notified, she had passed, we never heard from them again.
(0)
Report
Not always. Social niceties have changed. You emailed the doctor and did not call. So it’s all different.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

I wouldn't expect a card from his PCP. However, some PCPs establish great realtionships with some of their patients. My wife's dr retired 5 yrs before my wife passed away, and yet sent a beautiful card and note to us.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

No, its not a usual thing. Locally, I stopped in Mom's doctors' offices and told them and called the ones that were further away. I did this primarily so they could close Moms files.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report
Cover99 Jul 2021
Didn't her SS send out a message she had passed?
(0)
Report
I think the doctor would probably feel that it wouldn't be appropriate. I'm sure it's no reflection on his personal feelings, but it was a professional relationship first and foremost.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

We never heard from my dad’s doctors. I’m sorry for your loss
Helpful Answer (1)
Report
Cover99 Jul 2021
Was his care mostly paid by Insurance? If so, his SS would be flagged as belonging to a deceased person, and all current providers who had his SS in their records would be notified.
(0)
Report
On the other side of this, devil's advocate, have any of you ever sent the doc or staff a thank you note or a gift to the office because you are happy with the service that they have provided your loved one?

I have sent edible arrangements to doctor's office when mom moved to memory care and also to the day care that she attended. Those gifts were very appreciated by staff! They were such a help and everything they did was something helpful and supportive of me.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

See All Answers
This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter