Why are doctors so rude?

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Apr 5, 2005

Sorry, COMPLETELY disagree that this is a "guy thing".

Nurse Cozmo · Apr 5, 2005

I think that as nurses, we are trained to deal with all people "as they are" and doctors are no different. I don't like it when doctors are rude to me, but I also don't take it personally. I need to have an on-going professional relationship with this doctor. So what if I think he's rude or he thinks I'm rude, it is the care of the patient we share that is the PRIORITY! As soon as one of us deviates from that the patient begins to lose out.

Speculating · Apr 5, 2005

I agree with speculating on this, its definitely a guy thing.Im a male nurse in miami and the docs do act different.Although i was threatened by a doc over the phone once and he hung up before i could respond. I reported it to a supervisor who just made excuses for him.So i told her i would take it up with him myself if she was scared to do her job.When he came to the floor i ask him for the time and place for his threat to be carried out.This wimp apologized.Its a wimp of a man that can yell at a woman but its take a real man to yell at another man.

I had the misfortune of being hospitalized a couple years back in my own hospital. My GI guy didn't go there he highly recommended this other guy. Who sat on me for three days didn't do anything. So on the third day I heard him yell at my nurse about something that didn't get done on my case. He came in my room all smiles. I said did you just yell at that nurse. He didn't know what to say. I said she's been a wonderful nurse the whole time I've been here you're the one who's messing up. I said to him you don't disrespect and certainly don't yell at nurse's pack your bags sir you're fired. I never have seen such a shocked look on someone's face before. He came bee bopping in the next day. I said apparently you misunderstood something I said hit the road. He didn't know what to do and wouldn't sign himself off the case. So, I had my surgeon write an order for a second opinion GI wise. The new guy I chose came in the next day I said what are you do for me sir ding ding ding I said thank you and you have my case. The whole place was up in arms. The supervisor for environmental services began cleaning my room. My nurses were always the charge nurse. The director for the floor and the house supervisor checked on me daily and the CEO for this 700 bed came in at least three times to make sure there was nothing he could do for me all because David slung his stone. I think everyone should knock these guys down once in a while just to keep'em in check and remind they work for you and not the other way around!

tridil2000, MSN, RN · Apr 5, 2005

I don't like it when doctors are rude to me, but I also don't take it personally. I need to have an on-going professional relationship with this doctor.

~~

ahem... HE or SHE needs to have a professional relationship with YOU as well!

never ever tolerate a rude physician. demand respect and you'll get it.

Fun2, BSN, RN · Apr 5, 2005

I love our family Dr., and I loved working for him as well. So, not all Dr.'s are rude.

BUT........for all those who are: I don't think they taught "Proper Bedside Manner 101" in med school.

pricklypear · Apr 5, 2005

I think doctors have traditionally been rude because they have always gotten away with it (as someone else already said, I think) It seems like, in the past, whenever a nurse complained about a doctor's behavior, the complaint never went very far up the chain before excuses were made like: well, DID you mess up? What did you do to cause this? Well, he's had a tough week. Etc, etc. Hospitals always use the excuse that the doctors bring in all the business, we can't afford to rock the boat. We started using incident reports to document rude, offensive, demeaning behavior. Strangely enough, the behavior has gotten better. We, as nurses, are going to have to stop this stuff ourselves by being proactive, and preserving a professional environment. That's what it all comes down to: Professionalism. It upsets me to read the comments about not taking it personally, just keep your chin up. This is basically just giving people the right to be rude, it keeps the behavior going. If we want to be respected as a profession, we have demand that respect. There are workplace harrassment laws. It is against the law to create a hostile environment.

scooterRN52 · Apr 5, 2005

Why are many doctors so rude when in the hospital setting? I was at clinical practice recently when a doctor screamed, ranted, and fumed at the nurses. I've noticed this mean-spirited behavior from other physicians as well. I asked one of the nurses, and she just commented, "well, they've got a lot of education." Why are many docs rude? Why do plenty of nurses tolerate it?

Usually they are rude or arrogant because of their own insecurity and they feel threatened, after all nurses spend a lot more time w/ their patient than

the doctor themself does, they have to come to us to find out what is going on w/ the pt. Always remember, a hospital can not run w/o nurses!!!!!

I usually give it right back to a doctor that is rude to me. Actually, that has not happened for years and fortunately our hospital doesn't tolerate this behavior from docs, some have been written up

and made to apoligize to the nurse!

Speculating · Apr 5, 2005

I try immediately to bring down to a personal level. When we're 1:1 its John, Mike, Susie I refuse to call them DR 1:1 in my house - 40 hours a week it's my house. (don't try this the old school though)

magenta · Apr 5, 2005

SAGARCIA, I didn't want to say this at first, but being a male nurse I find this to be oh so very true. It's a guy thing. Hypothetically speaking the docs know that if they get to nasty with another male in a heart beat they could find themselves sitting on their a$$es in the center of the hallway.

You should be given a prize :balloons: , that you being a male can honestly talk about your own gender. I find that the Docters can be rude to a female nurse and then turn around and be as nice as could be to a man standing behind them. :uhoh3: . Oh well all i have to say is that when i was 21 i was abducted off the street in K.C. and taken to a park and shot 3 times in the face. Most of you are thinking she wouldnt be alive, but by the grace of God, all i ended up with (physical damage) is my face is paralyised on the right side. But if it wasnt for a Nurse :nurse: and her CNA,i would be in and out of a coma. They found anouther bullet lodged in my brain. So you see thats why i always wanted to go into nursing, nurses are the most important part, they gave me my life with the help of God, so i could help others. . Well enough of my sobb story, Thanks SAGARCIA.

Citadel Sam · Apr 5, 2005

I think doctors have traditionally been rude because they have always gotten away with it This is basically just giving people the right to be rude, it keeps the behavior going. If we want to be respected as a profession, we have demand that respect.

The reason doctors are rude to nurses is because nurses ALLOW them to be rude to them. You should not allow ANYONE to talk to you any kind of way. If you do not stand up for yourself at the beginning, then obviously that doctor is going to continue to treat you the way he does.

magenta · Apr 5, 2005

The reason doctors are rude to nurses is because nurses ALLOW them to be rude to them. You should not allow ANYONE to talk to you any kind of way. If you do not stand up for yourself at the beginning, then obviously that doctor is going to continue to treat you the way he does.

Thats so True!

Oithenurse · Oct 11, 2011

God forbid if they ever make a mistake. Some doctors think the world of themselves. As a male nurse, I think it's bullcrap when they flirt with female staff by addressing them as "my love" and other terms that would constitute sexual harrasment in the workplace. I don't play that stuff with my co-workers. If a male nurse makes a mistake, then they want their heads often. If it is a cute young female, they tend to soften their tounge. I made a mistake which did not kill a patient, but did prolong their stay. My male nurse manager took the asschewing but had to endure an hour this guy talking smack about the staff. Next week I see him cheesing it up with the female nurses addressing them as in a nonprofessional manner. I guess professionalism ends where ther zipper starts.