Dealing with rude doctors..

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I am a new nurse, and have been fortunate enough to work with respectful doctors and NPs--until last week! One of my patients was concerned because the doctor told him he would be back to see him after lunch to re-pack his abd wound, and at 8 pm still no sign of MD. Pt was also requesting pain medicine. I realize that that isn't emergent, but decided to go ahead and call since it's been 8 hours and my pt is getting uncomfortable. So I page the doctor, and he calls me back 2 minutes later. I start to explain the situation to him, and he cuts me off and snaps, "Right now I'm in the middle of intubating a man who's about to die, so I don't have time for that at the moment!" Um yeah ok, if you're intubating someone right this second, why are you calling me back? HA He did come up to see my patient minutes later and all was well. I didn't say anything to him and just let it go. He has been reported multiple times for being hateful to nurses and nothing has ever come of it so I don't plan on going that route. Just curious as to how other more experienced nurses handle hateful doctors?

According to Professional Mediators, riffs, disagreements, and even arguments are expected to take place in the work environment. These situations cannot be the basis for any type of punitive rebuttal.

However, the method in which they are expressed is open for critique. If they are dealt with in an inapproriate manner, punitive ramifications can occur.

For example, if an individual participating in an argument raises their voice, uses profanity, and/or makes threatening statements or gestures, they can be opening themselves to punitive ramifications.

Otherwise, we are just allowed to think of the other individuals in negative ways, such as being "rude", and have very little recourse.

Dave

Dave is obviously studying for a degree in semantics.

This is without a doubt the most useless post I have seen in my 8 years of following AN.com.

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
Dave is obviously studying for a degree in semantics.

This is without a doubt the most useless post I have seen in my 8 years of following AN.com.

Thanks, steelydanfan! I'm glad to hear my post was "the most" at something!

Accentuate the positive. Elimainate the negative.

Dave

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Specializes in PCU, Stepdown ICU, Home Health Case Management, ED.
thanks, steelydanfan! i'm glad to hear my post was "the most" at something!

accentuate the positive. elimainate the negative.

dave

:rolleyes: lmao!

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Specializes in acute care med/surg, LTC, orthopedics.

Yet another thread on rude docs? I just can't seen to understand the distress. I'm pretty thick skinned and really don't care how ignorant/sarcastic/arrogant they are, if I need something from them it's because they aren't doing their job properly and will continue to harass/nag/annoy until they give me what I want. They can yell at me, report me, burn me at the stake, I really don't care. At the end of the day it's about doing my best for the patient and if that means lighting a few fires along the way, so be it.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.

Is there a point to insulting someone else's post instead of responding to the OP? If so, I must have missed it.

Op, I tend to try to evaluate why the doc is acting that way. For example, one of my favorites came up to help code a patient we had all grown to care about over the months. The patient died. He threw his stethoscope on the desk and said "what's the ******* point?" - obviously devastated and was trying not to cry. We've all been there.

Very different would be the surgeon throwing a scalpel in rage.

Somewhere in between are these gripy little snipes. Everyone gets one freebie for that (all colleagues) but after that I call them on it. I would just tell him you're acting in a professional capacity to report pt pain and to call you back when he is prepared to do the same.

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Specializes in Advanced Practice, surgery.

one and only warning guys, keep it nice and stop personal comments or posts will be deleted

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Easy answer: Substitute "people" for doctors".

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Be a pt advocate. You are the pts voice.

If a physician/NP is rude, call them on it.

As to handwriting - no problem there - you call them and have them come read it to you. End of story. You start off the conversation with "I don't want to make a mistake and cause pt harm, so I need you to come here to read these orders to me or rewrite them."

Have to say the handwriting issue is dead now though because all the hospitals where I'm on staff now (5) require me to do my own order entry on the computer along with all my charting.

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Specializes in LTC, med/surg, hospice.

I just thank them for giving me whatever answer I needed for the issue and move on. You honestly cannot harp on it and let it ruin your day.

I never feel bad for calling the doctor because this is what they signed up for just like we signed up for some of the crap we have to deal with.

If I could write my own orders, I certainly would lol!

I definitely don't believe in tolerating verbal abuse from doctors but a snippy attitude..I can look the other way.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.
one and only warning guys, keep it nice and stop personal comments or posts will be deleted

I thought this post was pretty clear. The topic of physician behavior is of interest to many here. Too bad we can't stay on the topic.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Telemetry, SICU.

I really appreciate all the insight! I'm glad this board exists--such a great place to come vent to those "get it" as most of us do! A few replies..

"How the HELL are you 'in the middle of intubating a patient' and answering ur phone at the same time? Impossible! He was spinning you a line just to make you feel small, & to make himself look important."

Of course he was just trying to be an @ss! My phone had caller ID and he was calling from a nurse station, LOL. After thinking it over, it kind of makes me laugh. I guess he's gotta feel important somehow!

"Yet another thread on rude docs? I just can't seen to understand the distress."

I envy you! I really wish I was tougher! My husband (who's a cop and Marine) tells me all the time that I need to grow thicker skin, I'm working on it. Maybe after a few more years of this job I'll be tougher. :)

"Everyone gets one freebie for that (all colleagues) but after that I call them on it. I would just tell him you're acting in a professional capacity to report pt pain and to call you back when he is prepared to do the same."

Wise advice. You're exactly right, we all have bad days. He got his freebie, so next time I'll have to call him on it! Thank you.

Gosh I love allnurses.com! I really feel better! :redbeathe

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Dave is obviously studying for a degree in semantics.

This is without a doubt the most useless post I have seen in my 8 years of following AN.com.

HAHAHAHA, LMAO. This is the funniest comment I have ever seen hahahaha. Short and right to the point. I have to agree though :)

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