I'm very curious. I'm sure we've all been there. We've dealt with doctors from all spectrum and mindsets. Most are very good at their jobs and have sound ideas!
But sometimes docs just say and do the craziest things
My example: at my last LTC facility I had one doctor seriously outright refuse/fight giving and prescribing pain meds (for patients who really, really needed it/were on vents/dying) because he honestly believed that these residents who had been stuck in a bed for years were going to get better and go out to buy/smoke crack cocaine.
According to him "prescribing narcotics leads to methadone and crack usage." These poor residents have been here for years taking the same medications and pain meds for years...just WHAT?
When I was a kid of about 9 or 10, I was abused by the dentist in our town.
I had a hair-trigger and tremendously strong gag-reflex, over which I had NO control. He seemed to enjoy letting pieces of the amalgam he was using to fill a cavity, drop down into the back of my throat. He'd tell me to "STOP IT!" when I inevitably started gagging. Following the gagging that continued without relief,( ie the amalgam wasn't vac'd out or rinsed out), the next occurrence was me pushing him out of the way with both hands as I was shooting into a sitting position (and cutting my forehead on the big overhead lamp). And then I threw up. Everywhere. For which he belittled and cussed me. There was no dental ass't nor receptionist at his office. After he got things cleaned just enough so that he could finish the job he'd started on my mouth. He muttered saying what a baby I was, etc. as he worked, then he gave a sharp sigh of exasperation because I'd gagged again.I started crying, which made him even madder; he said "If you don't shut-up and quit crying, I'm going to send you home with a big hole in your tooth!"
(No, I didn't tell anybody)
I'd say that he was the reason for my dental phobia; I was so PTSD'd that if there was a CREST commercial on TV, I would leave the room! And if real-life people started talking about teeth or dentists or appointments anywhere in my general vicinity, even if I wasn't even any part of their conversation....I would grow warm , feel that 'fight or flight' impulse, with my heart beating faster and faster. I felt 'trapped', so I would try to stay as still as possible so as not to be noticed on the off-chance that someone would remark that *I* needed to go to the dentist.
Thereafter, I would avoid the dentist for six to twelve years at a time, only going in if I had an abcess....My teeth really were horrible even at that young age; not totally caused by diet, but rather that I completely ignored my mouth and hardly ever brushed. Once in a while I would give a flick of the toothbrush to the front teeth that showed.
Wanna hear the kicker? This mean dentist who cowed me....became a teacher and clinical instructor at Tufts/New England Medical Center's Dental School program! HA! and I don't mean a funny 'ha'.
Ooooh, you don't know how many letters I have written to him or about him, over the years...... but did not mail.
The one good thing he did for me, though he had no clue then or probably even later, was to make me stronger in the conviction that "when I grew up", I would NEVER treat people as meanly as he did. I would be an advocate ( again, a word learned later in life),and I wouldn't punish them for feeling scared. I would be nice, and help them through things. I wanted them not to feel ashamed. I wanted to make sure nobody else had to carry all that the way I'd done.
I'm so sorry this happened to you I had a dentist damage my nerve doing a routine cavity filling. I now have extreme anxiety over anything dental related (commercials, conversation, cleanings, ect). I have to get my wisdom teeth out soon, and I should have gotten them out 5 years ago. It definitely gives me some insight into how patients may feel at times.
Oh.... And the worst part about the nerve damage? The dentist denied it. He told me it was psychological, and that I needed mental help. Okay then.
My new dentist says otherwise.
That is what this incompetent, unethical people do. They CYA. They lie when confronted. Why would they be honest? They were unethical in their treatment of the patient in the first place. terrible, terrible.
Specializes in Med-Surg, OB, ICU, Public Health Nursing.
Patient had throat surgery to treat obstruction causing sleep apnea. (can't remember name of procedure). Patient had surgery at our hospital, but surgeon was from another huge HMO. The huge HMO was using our hospital because they were filled beyond capacity. LVN gave morphine. Checked patient, pale, diaphoretic, resp rate
Patient had throat surgery to treat obstruction causing sleep apnea. (can't remember name of procedure). Patient had surgery at our hospital, but surgeon was from another huge HMO. The huge HMO was using our hospital because they were filled beyond capacity. LVN gave morphine. Checked patient, pale, diaphoretic, resp rate
Brings bad memories of ER docs who refused to respond to emergencies on the ward, telling us to wait until it is a Code 99. Yes those were the days.
I just watched a documentary Code Black. There were doctors who spoke about how they wanted to help people, etc. and that was their motivation for entering the profession. My friend had 3 doctor sons. And what was their motivation. Pure and simple -- money. One got investigated for selling drugs on the Internet. His friend got investigated for charging the system money for work done by his nurse not by him. He had the nurse see patients instead of him but he got the money. It is just a cash grab for some, unfortunately.
What ignorance. Go through 4 years of college and 4 years of medical school to be 300K in debt and work for another 3-5 years at just above minimum wage. Yea totally in it for the "money". Sure some physicians are in it for the money and those are often very bitter physicians who didn't realize how much time they had to put in before they made a dime. Yea I am out of residency and make a damn good living but I worked for it (and am paying for it).
Sorry if you want to make the big bucks do the schooling. Also just because I make more then you does not mean I don't care, I know crazy idea!. Just the last night I had an RN ask "really you want to give 4 of morphine to that old lady!?" Yea the one screaming in pain I sure do. An hour later still no pain med given. Finally had to physically walk the RN to get the damn morphine and give it to the poor patient. Thats just one example of an RN sitting around playing candy crush so I am sure that means all nurses do it.
Also talk about a freaking scam. A 2 year degree to get an RN and make more than teachers, firefighters, and serviceman. That is the definition of "in it for the money". Don't forget the CRNA's trying to find the easiest way to make a buck.
Also over Halloween there was a big party hosted by one of the ED docs. I had to work that night and had to miss the party. Every single doc and resident showed up to work. Six, yes say it with me, six RN's and 4 PCA's called in that night. I know for certain 5 of the 6 RN's and all 4 PCA's that called in were at that party. Still not a single resident or physician missed work. It is hilarious how all the RNs care sooooo much about the patient. Lets face it Doctors cannot miss work and our work ethic won't let us call in. In 3 years of residency I never once called in and was physically told I had to go home twice after showing up. Yet RN's care soooo much about the patient that they will call in to go get drunk. I guess I showed up to get my money because that is all I wanted. Pathetic.
What ignorance. Go through 4 years of college and 4 years of medical school to be 300K in debt and work for another 3-5 years at just above minimum wage. Yea totally in it for the "money". Sure some physicians are in it for the money and those are often very bitter physicians who didn't realize how much time they had to put in before they made a dime. Yea I am out of residency and make a damn good living but I worked for it (and am paying for it).
Sorry if you want to make the big bucks do the schooling. Also just because I make more then you does not mean I don't care, I know crazy idea!. Just the last night I had an RN ask "really you want to give 4 of morphine to that old lady!?" Yea the one screaming in pain I sure do. An hour later still no pain med given. Finally had to physically walk the RN to get the damn morphine and give it to the poor patient. Thats just one example of an RN sitting around playing candy crush so I am sure that means all nurses do it.
Also talk about a freaking scam. A 2 year degree to get an RN and make more than teachers, firefighters, and serviceman. That is the definition of "in it for the money". Don't forget the CRNA's trying to find the easiest way to make a buck.
You are sounding bitter. The guys I referred to did not pay one cent for their studies. They got in under a govt. subsidized program free of charge for them. Footed by the taxpayer. Their RN mother worked double & triple shifts to support the three of them while they took their medical studies. They made well over $100,000 in first year of practice. Thanks to socialized medicine, they get to see 50 patients a day and are paid for each of them. The other doctor cash grab is to not treat patient problems, tell the patient it is a virus and to come back if it gets worse, which it usually does. So the doctor gets paid for 2 office visits instead of one. You should read a book called "Intern" written by a physician. A brutally honest physician at that. BTW, there are no 2-year RN programs where I reside. They are all 4 year programs. Also, I did not say all doctors do what these three did. That is YOU reading into the statement, personalizing it, and misunderstanding, misreading, and misquoting me. I don't know why I am surprised at how well-educated people are still unable to read carefully even after all their years of post-secondary education. I guess what they say about the dumbing down of these professions is true. Sorry your profession is such a disappointment to you. Maybe you should try something else. Take care.
He/she just continued to go to work while ill spreading germs to patients. You have to wonder about what kind of thought process someone would have if they go to work when they are too sick to work, putting their patients at risk. I also do find it hard to believe that physicians are paid minimum wage. This is a very angry, bitter person with limited judgment abilities.
Whoa whoa whoa. Talk about sweeping judgements. I never said nurses are drunks. I said the nurses called in to get drunk. Heck every year all my medical school friends take 4 days off and head to my cabin to get rip roaring drunk. It doesn't make us drunks nor does it make the RN's alcoholics for drinking one night.
Also I am definitely not bitter nor do I have "anger management" issues. I love taking care of patients and love my job. Yea I am pretty fresh out of residency and have a ton of loans and it pisses me off to have the amount of loans I have but I can pay them. Also I get along with most of the nurses I work with. Heck when I applied for my current job out of residency I needed a letter of recommendation from an RN I worked with and about 15 signed a "committee" LOR for me.
Also this whole thing about "spreading germs" is ********. Most colds don't need you to stay home. Throw a mask on and do your job. I did that several times throughout residency. Maybe it is the US medical training but my residency had the idea that if you called in you better be being seen by one of your colleges in the ED (I was an Emergency Medicine Resident). That may not be right but if one of your co-residents has to come in on their precious day off it better be legit and not for some party. Still now, as an attending, calling in has a huge burden on the department. It doesn't mean shutting down a couple rooms, it means someone has to come in or we shut down 14 rooms. My partners would fire me if I called in more than 1 time per year unless I had really good reason.
This brings me to the entire point of my tirade. This thread is ridiculous. I have no doubt that occasionally doctors say dumb **** (If I swear does that mean I have anger issues?). It is just hilarious that a forum made of nurses who have 4 year degrees (and often 2 year degrees in the US) think they know soooo much more than doctors that did at minimum 3x's the training you did.
What I am actually bitter about is the national consensus that nurses are "heroes" (I don't necessarily disagree with this but so is anyone that has to save lives.) Overall the average MD has a better work ethic than the average RN (see above about calling in.) Many nurses (whoa no "sweeping" judgments I said many not all) need a pat on their back and to be told how important they are just to do their damn job. The "hero" nurse gets up to take care of patients. Just watch your RN friends posts on Facebook this holiday season. They are "heroes" for working christmas. The doctor just signed up for it because they chose the profession and because we make more money we somehow aren't missing family like the nurse or tech is.
Just look at "nurses week". I lurked this forum around that time and how many people cried about the "gifts" they got for that week. Personally the ED docs where I work all pitched in for catered lunches for 5 days straight. A few of the nurses ******* that we didn't get "low fat options" and next year I won't contribute. Apparently there is a "doctor's day" and I didn't even know that except I got a pen from administration. Again I don't need a pat on my back to do my job.
Anyways I just got off the "whambulance" and I have an anger management session to get to. Discuss
Whoa whoa whoa. Talk about sweeping judgements. I never said nurses are drunks. I said the nurses called in to get drunk. Heck every year all my medical school friends take 4 days off and head to my cabin to get rip roaring drunk. It doesn't make us drunks nor does it make the RN's alcoholics for drinking one night.
Also I am definitely not bitter nor do I have "anger management" issues. I love taking care of patients and love my job. Yea I am pretty fresh out of residency and have a ton of loans and it pisses me off to have the amount of loans I have but I can pay them. Also I get along with most of the nurses I work with. Heck when I applied for my current job out of residency I needed a letter of recommendation from an RN I worked with and about 15 signed a "committee" LOR for me.
Also this whole thing about "spreading germs" is ********. Most colds don't need you to stay home. Throw a mask on and do your job. I did that several times throughout residency. Maybe it is the US medical training but my residency had the idea that if you called in you better be being seen by one of your colleges in the ED (I was an Emergency Medicine Resident). That may not be right but if one of your co-residents has to come in on their precious day off it better be legit and not for some party. Still now, as an attending, calling in has a huge burden on the department. It doesn't mean shutting down a couple rooms, it means someone has to come in or we shut down 14 rooms. My partners would fire me if I called in more than 1 time per year unless I had really good reason.
This brings me to the entire point of my tirade. This thread is ridiculous. I have no doubt that occasionally doctors say dumb **** (If I swear does that mean I have anger issues?). It is just hilarious that a forum made of nurses who have 4 year degrees (and often 2 year degrees in the US) think they know soooo much more than doctors that did at minimum 3x's the training you did.
What I am actually bitter about is the national consensus that nurses are "heroes" (I don't necessarily disagree with this but so is anyone that has to save lives.) Overall the average MD has a better work ethic than the average RN (see above about calling in.) Many nurses (whoa no "sweeping" judgments I said many not all) need a pat on their back and to be told how important they are just to do their damn job. The "hero" nurse gets up to take care of patients. Just watch your RN friends posts on Facebook this holiday season. They are "heroes" for working christmas. The doctor just signed up for it because they chose the profession and because we make more money we somehow aren't missing family like the nurse or tech is.
Just look at "nurses week". I lurked this forum around that time and how many people cried about the "gifts" they got for that week. Personally the ED docs where I work all pitched in for catered lunches for 5 days straight. A few of the nurses ******* that we didn't get "low fat options" and next year I won't contribute. Apparently there is a "doctor's day" and I didn't even know that except I got a pen from administration. Again I don't need a pat on my back to do my job.
Anyways I just got off the "whambulance" and I have an anger management session to get to. Discuss
So sorry to hear you have worked with such unprofessional nurses. Nurses day/week is just a way for managers to pretend to value nurses. Do you really think that giving us junk food is a way to value us. I never did get a free pen from administration. On the contrary, I brought my own pens to work for over 30 years. I also never got a pat on the back from administration. I think you meant colleague not college. Two totally different meanings. Why I am I even conversing with a person who does not know the difference between college and colleague. I'm not. BTW, I have 4 university degrees, one of which is a JD, so I would not say I am poorly educated. I have 14 years of post-secondary education. At no point did I say I had more medical knowledge than you do. Again, that is YOU talking, misreading, misquoting, slandering. All I ever got during my nursing career was 6 hours pay for 8 hours work, nothing more, sometimes less. I worked every xmas for over 30 years and I never viewed myself as a hero. I enjoyed being at work. I was getting overtime pay and I was not whining and complaining to patients about hard done by I was. I had empathy for people who had to be in care during the holidays. I never once whined "poor me" about working xmas. I think there are a lot of problems with nurses too not just doctors. The whole medical system in the country where I live is seriously flawed, but I am not slamming my co-workers and telling them to get a whambulance and blowing my own horn about how noble I am dragging myself into work sick. Just asking your valuable, sage opinion as to why flu vaccines are mandatory for HCPs if they can't spread the virus to patients, because what we are told in my country is that we can spread the virus to patients and kill them. Hopefully you are an infectious diseases expert. Thanks for your wisdom on this topic. Please take care. Meditation and tai chi often help people with anger Take care of yourself. Maybe if you can do that, you will not feel the need to disrespect, devalue and make false statements about people you do not even know. You may be the world's best doctor, you may have paid your dues, but there are others who have not. I was referring to specific three doctors not to you. You do not know these people yet you choose to defend them and to defame me. Take care. Feel better.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I thought this was going to be a truly light hearted, funny thread about some of the dumb things some MDs say -- when we wake them from a sound sleep, when they're concentrating on something else, when they're brand new and don't know what they're talking about. I didn't expect so many angry answers nor did I expect so many nurses going out of their way to "prove" how dumb an MD is with actual patient care decisions that the rest of us may (or may not) understand to be ignorant or uninformed. If I have to really think about "Why was that dumb?" then it probably is neither dumb nor funny.
Not all of us work the same specialty . . . something that strikes an L & D nurse as the height of stupidity may not strike me at all. And so forth.
Which brings me to another story:
Halloween morning, and all of the CCU nurses had decided to wear costumes to work. (Yes, this was at least a quarter of a century ago. Long, long ago and far, far away.) There were the usual "cute" cats and bunnies, a witch or two, even a mummy. In the spirit of the holiday, one of our cardiologists dressed up with red devil horns that lit up when you pushed a button, a red "Satan" tie (also electrified) and a red pitchfork. He came on the unit well before the sun had risen to make rounds in the ICU, and apparently hadn't encountered a nurse prior to starting his rounds. As the charge, I was sitting in front of the bank of monitors relieving the monitor tech for a break when all of a sudden I heard screams -- and saw GIGANTIC S-T elevations (indicating cardiac ischemia) from the room of a little old man with a fresh MI. I went running into the perfectly dark room, and all I could see was the glow of the monitor . . . . and the glow of red horns and a pitchfork. The patient, a man known to be a white supremacist and misogynist, was screaming "I died! I died and went to hell!"
The patient was fine after an emergent heart cath and intervention. We teased the cardiologist for years about "drumming up business" for the Cath Lab.
I had a dentist damage my nerve doing a routine cavity filling. I now have extreme anxiety over anything dental related (commercials, conversation, cleanings, ect). I have to get my wisdom teeth out soon, and I should have gotten them out 5 years ago. It definitely gives me some insight into how patients may feel at times.
Tex.
232 Posts
Oh. My. Gawd.