Great Doctors

Zookeeper3 · Dec 12, 2010

while your post is an excellent example of a doc that doesn't think they are above "basic' care.... my great docs round daily, actually see and assess their patients and talk to family. They listen to my 'needs" list and address it and they'll come up to the unit and talk to the family when tough decisions are needed.

I know, it seems like a basic job description and should be required, but those that actually do what they are supposed to, and meet with family and take the time are rare. Sad but true. Personally I could care less about poop patrol help from them, we've got that. Answering the dang phone on the first call would be great help and meeting briefly with the family daily and answering their questions would be a blessing.

So my standards are a touch lower, but you've found yourself a gem! Love all over and spoil that doc of yours:heartbeat

Anisettes, BSN, RN · Dec 12, 2010

Part of me wants to ask you this doc's name, because I wonder if it's the same doc I once worked with, but I'm sure there are rules against it.

Anyway, ages ago when I was still on a med/surg ward, I had put a patient on a bedpan and stepped out for a minute to give her privacy. I come back in and this doc is there talking to the patient. I said to him 'Doc, can you excuse me a second so I can take her bedpan?' And the patient said 'Oh, he already took it.' And there it was in the bathroom, rinsed out and angled up on a chux to dry.

Never saw anything like it before or since. And he was a resident in a New York hospital at the time. It's a small world because years later I was working at a hospital in Las Vegas and lo and behold bumped into this same doc in the cafeteria where he was now on staff. He was still as soft spoken and self effacing.

This guy was all around awesome right from residency - his orders were always block printed, he never ever made a request without a please or thank you, said good morning or hello to everyone, made an effort to learn and remember your name. He was just an all-round nice guy. And he actually listened to his patients and seemed to genuinely care for them like they were relatives or something. I want to say he was from Nigeria (I believe it was Nigeria) and he spoke 5 languages. He was a trip that doc (a really nice trip). They should have cloned him.

PatMac10,RN, RN · Dec 12, 2010

It's great to know that there are physicians like that out there. I mean don't get me wrong, you don't have to know how to change a bed pan and actually do it yourself to be a great doc, but it is very rare that you see that, I know I've heard or seen it. I know physicians are very busy and so are nurse and CNAs but it is nice to hear about one taking the time out of his busy schedule to clean a patient or take their bedpan. I wonder if he was a nurse before he became a physician? Good post.

RNperdiem, RN · Dec 12, 2010

My favorite doctors are the ones who take the time to really talk to the patient families.

This is where there is the "art" of medicine and some docs are really skilled at it. Generally they have excellent people skills are beloved by most staff.

Trauma Columnist · Dec 13, 2010

I worked in an ER with a surgery resident (in his 50's) who won an Emmy with Miami Sound Machine!

One of the nicest doctors I've had the priviledge to work with - all around nice guy - all the staff and pts loved him.

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Dec 13, 2010

OP, thank you for posting such a positive thread. I worked with a doc who was willing to help out with cleaning patient rooms when they were discharged. He changed the bed, mopped the floor, and did it with a smile. And yes, his patients ADORED him!

I work with a cardiac anesthesiologist who is incredibly (scary-like) brilliant, sharp, kind and exhibits strong leadership skills. Last Thanksgiving while I was wrapping up an emergency x-lap, she saw how completely swamped I was. I muttered under my breath, "Dang, I still need to call report!" She heard me and picked up the phone, proceeded to call report to the PACU for me! She just looked over at me and winked.

I LOVE hearing these memories of docs who go above and beyond. Thanks y'all for sharing!

digitiminimi · Dec 13, 2010

I work in research at a university and the Director of the program, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, is an absolute gem of a doctor!

He has to split his time between the clinic, our office, and two other places throughout the day but he always makes time for everyone. When he comes in to work in the morning, he actually walks around the entire office and says good morning (with a smile) to everyone there. He always makes us feel important. Whenever we have a unit meeting, he takes us out to breakfast (pays for it!) and we have the meeting there. Love this doc.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Dec 13, 2010

The neurosurgeon team that took care of my late father was incredible. When he first arrived in the local hospital, doc 1 was clear about their limitations in that facility and went above & beyond to ensure he was transferred to the best facility who could accept him. Even met the flight team to ensure they had any orders & signatures needed and offered to personally run to the pharmacy to get a drug needed for transport. (The flight crew was well stocked but appreciated the offer.)

Months later they resumed care when my father returned to a local nursing home. They were patient and compassionate with my mother, and ensured she had the information she needed to make care decisions. They were always just a phone call away, even if my dad was transferred back to the ER from the nursing home they took my frantic mothers calls(and the ER was not exactly a stellar team unfortunately).

When it was time for hospice, they approached the subject with the same care and passion as when they made arrangements to transfer my dad to the university hospital when he first was ill. They stayed on the treatment team, even working with the hospice nurses to ensure my father received the care and comfort he so rightly deserved.

While facility limitations prevented them from performing the life saving surgery he needed initially, their superior skills, compassion & empathy made a most difficult time just a bit easier for my father, my mother and me.

Okay so not a surgeon team who changed bedpans, but definitely two gentlemen who are a credit to their profession.

Guest717236 · Dec 13, 2010

Its no surprise to me that my favorite Doctor who was a true leader

and gentleman as a Chief Resident went on to invent a procedure

and instruments in his specialty field. His gentle compassion with his

patients, and respect for his house team and the nurses created a unit

which was a wonderful working environment.

resumecpr · Dec 13, 2010

I once had a doc help clean up a patient after he vomited! The doc held the bucket for the patient and everything! My jaw hit the floor. He was such a nice guy.

On the other hand, I've seen docs race out of rooms because their patient had to toilet or puke. LOL!

pedicurn, LPN, RN · Dec 13, 2010

While these stories are great and they are wonderful docs....

I can't help wondering why we don't honour our polite/friendly/helpful nurses to the same extent? Let's stick em up high on the same pedestal :)