How to deal with angry doctors

[ann915]

Hi. I'm a brand new RN working nights on a telemetry med-surg unit. Just started off on my own. I know there are a handful of topics on this particular subject. But I just wanted to share a particular experience I had last night calling a doctor regarding a patient, and wanted to hear how some of you would've handled this. If there is anything I need to work on, it is my assertive skills.

So I called the doctor. And it went like this...

Me: Hi Dr _____. This is ____ from _____. I'm calling in regards to a patient, _____ from room ______ who came in w/ _______. Are you familiar with him??

Dr: If you ask me that question again, I will beat your head!!! Are you stupid? Didn't you see my name on the board!? Don't you dare ask me that. Just get straight to the #^#/ point.

Of course, I apologized. Then continued and so forth, just trying to get to the point while he still rambled on. I suppose it was a dumb question. I mean, I'm still figuring all the things in the hospital and Doctor names, who is on call/who covers who, who is private - just still figuring how everything works and so forth. But still, I felt that was just a bit overboard. Yes he is a private doctor; and maybe it was a dumb thing I asked (I always ask "are you familiar with this patient" with every greeting to determine the familiarity and how much background history to provide - maybe I shouldn't ask that).

Well, at least I got orders... and I got to finally make the patient comfortable (he was ETOH withdrawal) I know that some angry or irritated doctors will just hang up or say whatever and leave you like "Huh?"

I don't know. Afterward, and even still now, I feel kind of bad. Even feel intimidated if I have to to speak to him again. I asked some of my coworkers their opinion, and apparently they weren't too surprised and told me he usually bickers about petty things such as so. What do you guys think? How do you handle angry or rude doctors or coworkers? Any advice to someone too soft like me. Thanks :)

An1991

[morte, LPN, LVN]

DH is "dear husband"

Whats a "DH"?

See I'm glad your husband whipped some tail. I'd love to seen this. Amazing this guy challenged and then fought and still has a job/license. The doctor that is.

Part of me would have filed a police report, found a lawyer and made some easy money from the facility. I get the idea this "doctor" would not have denied any of his statements.

is

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Whats a "DH"?

See I'm glad your husband whipped some tail. I'd love to seen this. Amazing this guy challenged and then fought and still has a job/license. The doctor that is.

Part of me would have filed a police report, found a lawyer and made some easy money from the facility. I get the idea this "doctor" would not have denied any of his statements.

DH is "Dear Hubby" or "Dear Husband" or "DickHead", depending upon what day it is. I think because they took it to the dojong -- no harm, no foul.

[cdsga]

It seems we have to practice two different sets of civility rules at home and at work. If outside of the work environment, we would not or hopefully would not tolerate someone talking abusively to us. But at work, we have to take it. The only way to protect self and others from that situation is to report and have it in writing-sent to the appropriate managers-keeping copies for personal files. Eventually these types of doctors are reprimanded or remediated in some way. It doesn't always work out in the immediate, as there are consequences. There are times when principle rises over everything else. I understand about SBAR, etc. But life and situations are not always scripted and we slip into our "outside of work" form. I defend myself and my intent to take care of the patient over any script. We are not perfect in every situation. We apologize too much for every little thing-my opinion. We are working and in the line of work what we have to do is not imposing on someone else-just part of the job.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

It seems we have to practice two different sets of civility rules at home and at work. If outside of the work environment, we would not or hopefully would not tolerate someone talking abusively to us. But at work, we have to take it. The only way to protect self and others from that situation is to report and have it in writing-sent to the appropriate managers-keeping copies for personal files. Eventually these types of doctors are reprimanded or remediated in some way. It doesn't always work out in the immediate, as there are consequences. There are times when principle rises over everything else. I understand about SBAR, etc. But life and situations are not always scripted and we slip into our "outside of work" form. I defend myself and my intent to take care of the patient over any script. We are not perfect in every situation. We apologize too much for every little thing-my opinion. We are working and in the line of work what we have to do is not imposing on someone else-just part of the job.

I don't think one has to take anyone speaking abusively to us -- unless that someone is a confused, disoriented or demented patient. Nor do I think "reporting it" is the best way to deal with someone who is speaking abusively . . . I think we show people how to treat us by what we tolerate. A quiet "I'll speak to you later when you're through yelling" or "don't speak to me that way" usually works.

[KrIssycakes]

yeah saying that works before you report them.. best beleive they have no problem reporting YOU...GOT TO WATCH YOUR OWN BACK.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

yeah saying that works before you report them.. best beleive they have no problem reporting YOU...GOT TO WATCH YOUR OWN BACK.

The best way to watch your own back is to develop positive relationships with your colleagues. "Reporting" someone isn't the way to do that.

[KrIssycakes]

and in a perfect world that will prevent a doctor from being rude and disrespectful. in my world that hasnt..we can agree to disagree. i have reported 2 this past year along with other nurses having done the same and we stick together and guess what? i still got my 2 promotions this year, my bonus and i have move up into my dept.One doctor that was infamously rude has been let go and another has changed his attitude.

i will report...period. ..