How do you remain polite and professional with people who don't believe in the Covid vaccine who come to your clinic wanting treatment?

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Specializes in Nurse Practitioner.

I see mostly unvaccinated individuals who come to our monoclonal antibody clinic after becoming covid +, with symptoms. Some of these I send away straight to the ER, others we treat. Many tell me that they "don't believe in the vaccine." I would go into what I want to say, but it includes "So now you believe in science?" or "How do you know that this doesn't contain microchips?" among other things. I did have a double major in Public Health (epidemiology/statistics) with my FNP and was a sub-investigator in pharmaceutical research but feel that it is futile to discuss this when they report their anecdotal evidence about, "well my aunt and 2 nieces got vaccinated but..."I mainly say lamely, " Well I hope you feel better after this even though we have different feelings" How do you keep your patience and try to connect? Or, more importantly to not be angry. I hate living with that feeling, it takes a while to wear off when I come home which I don't like. 

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Specializes in Former NP now Internal medicine PGY-3.

I don't get mad, usually im just like okay your choice you know what the data says". If they push the issue or talk about their freedumb, I might say something like "Fortunately here in American your free to believe any nonsense you want" some don't like it but the goal is to get them find another doctor LOL.

 

At least after all this over there will self selectively be less dumb people around

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Specializes in Interventional Pain Mgmt NP; Prior ICU and L/D RN.

We are here to inform people of the risks and benefits, give them the information to make informed decisions based on their personal beliefs, morals, medical history, and psychological comfort. We aren't here to judge them. I'm sure there have been so many times through all of our careers we have all cared for someone that  "if they had done differently" scenario this situation would not have occurred. (The uncontrolled Diabetic, the non-compliant cardiac pt now with a massive MI or CVA, etc).  "BUT" I dare say that even in this particular situation even the "vaccinated" still find themselves in the same scenario of falling ill with Covid as well as unvaccinated. Our due diligence is to provide the information, care for the sick with their physical and psychological well-being in mind, provide holistic care, AND also care for ourselves as the healthcare providers.  While I do have my personal thoughts about this situation I am only here to provide the best care to patients and educate them to the best of my ability JUST like I have been doing for the past 24 years with all disease processes and treatment plans.

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Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).
22 hours ago, altomga said:

We are here to inform people of the risks and benefits, give them the information to make informed decisions based on their personal beliefs, morals, medical history, and psychological comfort. We aren't here to judge them. 

I'd give this a thumbs up 100x if I could.  It is not our job to judge people!  How many people get the flu every year because they did not get the flu vaccine?  Just stop with the judgement!

Furthermore, it is now apparent that the vaccines are NOT all that effective in preventing people from catching COVID or transmitting it, although they do reduce serious illness/death.  

If we judge people, we will quickly lose our minds in this profession.

 

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Specializes in oncology.

I found this article in "The Atlantic" worth a read. It doesn't answer your question but I realized I wasn't alone in rolling my eyes at our local grocery story at those who don't wear masks...etc.

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/02/covid-jerk-sarah-palin/621466/

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Specializes in PMHNP.

How is this a question? You remain polite and professional regardless of who's walking into your clinic. This is a country where individuals have sovereignty over their health choices. It sounds to me like you're bringing your political opinions into the workplace.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Its a free country. I'm fully vaccinate and believe in the vaccine efficacy. However, I also believe take it or leave it. 

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Your body your choice.  I will give my medical advice on things like eat less McDonalds, exercise more, get some fatty acids, etc but it is in no way our place to do any more than that. All vaccines, medical treatments, medications, etc are voluntary and up to the individual to decide, NOT US.  Why this vaccine has providers thinking any differently is something you have to ask yourself.  When you start judging patients and treating based on your personal beliefs you need to get out of medicine. 

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