It is the end of the week and I am near clearing my inbox of results. Hypokalaemia is identified in a patient and I duly call them, take a brief history, and no clear cause is identified.

It is mild and having printed a prescription for potassium supplements, arranging for it to be sent to the pharmacy, leaving a follow-up pathology form at the desk and arranging a follow-up appointment within a week, I’m all set to go home.

My Medicare rebate for the above equates to zero — however, this is not a call for capitation.

The telephone then rings: “Doctor, the patient had a call from the pharmacy and they cannot supply the medication on the prescription you sent. They say they have it on back order but are unsure when it will come in.”