A physican where I work called a patient a "FAT PIG!"

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A GI doc on my floor had to do abdominal surgery on a very fat woman. As you know, these surgeries take longer. It was his last case and he was very tired by the time it was completed. The family was very angry that the surgery took so long. Anyway, after the patient was placed into her room, her family joined her. The MD walked in the room to check on her and as soon as he walked in her husband said angrily "What took you so long!?" The physician responded back with "She's a fat pig, what did you expect?" and walked out of the room. He got a phone call from administration as he was driving home and was told he had to go back to the hospital and apologize. And that was it. No other consequences.

A nurse would be terminated on the spot if he or she did something like that. It's not fair.

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

OK, if the patient's family member was being a jerk, and the doctor called HIM a name, I could ALMOST understand it. But in this case, the doctor called the patient a horribly insulting name. There is no way that can be justified by saying that the family member was being a jerk. That is just not ok. Ever. There should be serious repercussions for the surgeon.

And yes, if it was a nurse making the comment, he/she would have been fired on the spot. But I can't say that the nurse would not have deserved it.

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we dont know the entire story. we know the family mas mad/angry but we dont know what they told the doctor. Might have been something not offensive to the doctor but it could have been. We saw the second punch of the fight, people always miss the first!!

but again, you shouldnt be saying that to people

This incident should be reported to the your state's medical board. In Texas, I've seen doctors who were fined $1,000+ for this type of behavior. They are usually mandated to take anger management classes as well.

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