How do you deal with doctors

huckfinn · Apr 23, 2002

I round off my back so that none of their load can find a place to rest (figuratively). I smile and tell them "I hope you have a better day." bid them good morning, afternoon, evening (which ever is appropriate) and leave them standing in their own flames.

Inappropriate behavior in an attempt to intimidate is only effective if there is a willing or unwilling recipient. If the message is not received it is just the same as if it were never delivered in the first place.

misti_z · Apr 23, 2002

I like the speaker phone one!! We have a nephrologist that we have to put on speaker phone because he is so hard to understand, and hope that out of the people that hear we can figure out what he wants!:rotfl:

scootermcnutt, RN · Apr 26, 2002

I had a Doc rant at me for 3 minutes straight last night, belittling me, yelling, cussing, etc. He went on and on about how "I'M A TALENTED ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON AND I WORK HARD ALL DAY DOING INTRICATE SURGERIES AND SAVING PEOPLES LIVES AND.....'" you get the pic. He carried on and then hung up. So, I wrote him up officially. Not that I think anything will come of it, I just want to make my point. :rolleyes:

petiteflower · Apr 27, 2002

Don't you guys know by now that MD=God?????

Love your replies--especially "if you are finished"------

JillR · Apr 27, 2002

I honestly have never had this problem. Have had a few get a little jerky. I will not even acnowledge thier comments, won't even answer them. They usually get off of it when they find out I won't bite. If they do it on the phone, they get silence, if they do it in person, I just walk away. I find that when they figure out they have not audience, they stop.

VictoriaG · Apr 27, 2002

When doctors are out of control with me I tell them they are inappropriate and I will talk to them when they are calm enough to be rational. There was one time I told a doctor I would not talk to him until he apologized for his behavior. Since I was the L&D nurse managing his laboring patient, he was forced to apologize, and never treated me with disrespect again.

My favorite response when a doc makes a nasty or condescending remark is, "I am sure you meant that in a loving way." It almost always make the doctor laugh, calm down, and get on with our work. The most important thing to do with a difficult doctor is demand respect, and show by your actions that you are worthy of his respect.

wildhoney · Apr 27, 2002

Originally posted by VictoriaG

When doctors are out of control with me I tell them they are inappropriate and I will talk to them when they are calm enough to be rational. There was one time I told a doctor I would not talk to him until he apologized for his behavior. Since I was the L&D nurse managing his laboring patient, he was forced to apologize, and never treated me with disrespect again.

My favorite response when a doc makes a nasty or condescending remark is, "I am sure you meant that in a loving way." It almost always make the doctor laugh, calm down, and get on with our work. The most important thing to do with a difficult doctor is demand respect, and show by your actions that you are worthy of his respect.

Good post. I wholeheartedly agree.

patadney · Apr 29, 2002

Love those answers-I have been fortunate to work with doctors who say "Thank You!" In the distant past I have had a problem,think now I would ask"Are you having a bad day?" In order to make sure they realized I wasn't taking blame for anything

susanmary · Apr 29, 2002

CEN -- love the "don't even go there" and walking away! I do not TAKE crap from anyone -- MDs included. I do not GIVE others crap either. Having any title after one's name does not give anyone a license to verbally assault others. We shouldn't be afraid of punitive action by docs/hospitals that we put up with insulting, unprofessional behavior.

We own our own behavior and actions -- not the behavior and actions of others. We need to remember that always.

Good thoughts going out to all of you. Sue

Patience911 · Apr 30, 2002

As the Doctor is throwing his temper tantrum, I like to reach into the desk drawer and pull out my Groucho Marx glasses and calmly put them on....nodding from time to time. Once he realizes what I have done, I tell him he looks pretty silly too. Got this one from a nursing conference on humour.

The other response I've done is...."Gee...they don't swear on ER do they?"

Use the speaker phone once and most will never yell on the phone again.

If all else fails....walk away. One time I did this and the Doctor said "Hey you". I smiled and said "That's not my name" and walked away. I am always willing to hear them out once they have calmed down.

As Ann Lander's says...no one can walk all over you unless you let them.

Patience911 · Apr 30, 2002

Best of all...try to encourage your facility to adopt a zero tolerance policy on harassment and abuse. Our's did a few years ago and we don't have this problem any more:D

Heartsofangels · May 2, 2002

I work in a nursing home, but don't think we don't hear it from Dr's. One Dr started yelling because one of his pt's was sent out 911 with chest pain. The local hosp checked her over and sent her back. Let's just say this hospital didn't do much for this pt. When I told the Dr the pt was back, he started screaming that he didn't want any of his pt's to go to that hospital. He said he's rather have them go to the vet hospital down the street! I told him in 911 emergencies that's the local hosp so that's where they go. He then told me it wasn't my fault. This other Dr snapped at me when I was talking to him on the phone, then he apologized for snapping. I have to say that the Dr's we have don't usually yell, just our medical director once in a while. But my experiences don't sound bad compared to all of you. Take care.