what do you think?

[freshstart]

When I got sick, I had two long term families I was very close to. As I got sicker and it looked like I wouldn't be coming back, the social worker on the team notified the families. A work friend told me both patients have died. There children's addresses are in the phone book. Would it be appropriate to send a card? Obits are public so I'm not technically violating HIPAA. But I'm afraid they maybe felt like I abandoned them with no explanation other than "she's on medical leave", kwim? Like we were close enough that I should've contacted them. One of the children was my 5th gr teacher. I feel really guilty with these two families that I did not stay in touch even though I was told not to. I did the right thing for work, but the wrong thing in the families' eyes. Would you send the cards with a brief note?

[Ultralight]

This is a tough question. If you do not violate HIPAA I say do it.

[razz]

When responding to a public obit, I would say that you have the right to send condolences but keep them brief and simple.

[Lainey]

When responding to a public obit, I would say that you have the right to send condolences but keep them brief and simple.

+1 I would not have expected a medical professional to continue to be in contact with me as a patient if they were on leave - things happen in life, it's not personal so not sure why they would take it that way.

[Simplemind]

Absolutely. You established a relationship at a critical time. I'm sure it would mean a lot to them.

[ToomuchStuff]

The one who was your teacher, you areadly had a relationship with, outside of the medical/hippa regs. I think anyone could argue in that point the personal connection allows the contacting.
If there was an obit, you could see if there is an online well wishes (funeral home, not really sure of the proper term), thing you could sign/leave a note. Are you banned from the funerals, by work restrictions?

[Teacher Terry]

When I was a SW and had abused kids on my caseload that were very close to me I gradually withdrew from their lives on my own time. I quit the agency but they were glad that I was going to slowly faze out even though I wasn't being paid and no longer worked for them. Then when I finally moved for grad school I let the families know.

[freshstart]

yeah, when I left it was not gradual at all, it was like a hit and run and these two cases had been mine week in and week out for over two years, some you just get closer to, you stay professional but maybe you stay longer and listen their stories, stuff like that. They perceive you as more than the nurse. So I heard from people at work about how upset they were but the SWs maintained the party line that I was on a medical leave, no more, no less.

by the time my friend told me these two cases had passed, it was long pass the funerals but no, I would not have been banned from attending by work. Just hadn't seen either obit at the time. So these cards will be late in coming.