AArdvarks: Conspiracy Theories
Conspiracy Theories
Patty, The Office Manager Who Really Runs The Site, walked into my office with her head down. She handed me a thick chart, put her hand on my shoulder, and muttered, “sorry.”
The thickness of the chart reminded me of the only conspiracy theory I’d ever believed. I was convinced most documentation requirements were a scam perpetrated by the lumber industry, with a wink from the government, to create a demand for paper. Only such a conspiracy could explain a chart so thick with daily progress notes, progress note summaries, summary summaries, and a checklist form to track other forms. (There was also a ring stain I hoped wasn’t from a specimen cup.)
When I moved from clinical work to training, I had thought much of the paperwork would fall away. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Most of my time was spent maintaining records, updating contact lists, tracking down lost certificates, and completing accreditation forms that sometimes ran hundreds of pages.
“Thanks,” I said to Patty, forcing myself to smile. ‘The paperwork beast must be fed,’ I thought. ‘I might as well get started.’ I read most of the chart, then wrote a note saying why I thought this client was appropriate for my new group.
Today I will do what I have to with as much good humor as I can muster.
Patty, The Office Manager Who Really Runs The Site, walked into my office with her head down. She handed me a thick chart, put her hand on my shoulder, and muttered, “sorry.”
The thickness of the chart reminded me of the only conspiracy theory I’d ever believed. I was convinced most documentation requirements were a scam perpetrated by the lumber industry, with a wink from the government, to create a demand for paper. Only such a conspiracy could explain a chart so thick with daily progress notes, progress note summaries, summary summaries, and a checklist form to track other forms. (There was also a ring stain I hoped wasn’t from a specimen cup.)
When I moved from clinical work to training, I had thought much of the paperwork would fall away. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Most of my time was spent maintaining records, updating contact lists, tracking down lost certificates, and completing accreditation forms that sometimes ran hundreds of pages.
“Thanks,” I said to Patty, forcing myself to smile. ‘The paperwork beast must be fed,’ I thought. ‘I might as well get started.’ I read most of the chart, then wrote a note saying why I thought this client was appropriate for my new group.
Today I will do what I have to with as much good humor as I can muster.
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