I recently started working with a patient who is a heavy smoker, minimum 2 packs a day. I am fairly sensitive to smells and my office is tiny. Every time after she leaves, my throat burns for a day or two. I also can smell cigarettes smoke lingering on my sweater the night I see her. I tried having a fan on ("It is so warm today") and sitting as far as I can from her. I don't know what else to do.
I am not seeing her for smoking cessation. I did very enthusiastically provided smoking cessation resources.
If this was a colleague, I feel pretty comfortable having a candid discussion about this. But she is a patient and I don't know what to do. Tips?
I am not seeing her for smoking cessation. I did very enthusiastically provided smoking cessation resources.
If this was a colleague, I feel pretty comfortable having a candid discussion about this. But she is a patient and I don't know what to do. Tips?