Lower income pts and a litigious society - vent

[VivaRN]

I don't know what is going on but I have had a rash of patients lately looking to sue someone in the healthcare system because they think they will get some quick money from it. I had a patient recently who came to her new patient visit actively looking to sue me and everyone else, while she is getting awesome care for a $5 co-pay thanks to taxes and federal dollars. It just burns me up. I wish I could decline to be her provider but we're not able to do that. Instead I feel like I'm in the room with a viper.

I know that the majority of these folks will never have a case because no real wrongdoing has occurred, however it makes me afraid for a time when I may make an error. Instead of being subjected to the happy vibes created by our therapeutic relationship, I am going to get sued because of the money motivation. It is making me so paranoid! And how ironic that the vast majority of us chose this population out of a desire to do something good in the world, it is like biting the hand that feeds you.

It makes me so mad that our profession is set up this way. You make a mistake, and off you go the court because the patient can get money out of it. At the least it is very stressful. These patients should be grateful that someone is taking care of them at all when they have no resources, not looking to sue us! It is enough to make me consider private practice.

[pedspnp]

I get angry parents and usually they are upset because I will not order an antibiotic or some exotic test for some strange disease that a friend told them their child might have.

[VivaRN]

I had one get upset the other day because our transportation resources (as articulated by the social worker) were "unacceptable." I was not quite sure how to handle that, like sorry our state doesn't do more for your transportation... ?? ugh.

[BCgradnurse, MSN, RN, NP]

I hear ya, Viva....I work in a similar environment. In my case, the patients aren't looking to sue us, but want us to "embellish" their exams when they have an MVA and are looking to sue the driver. Sorry.....I'm not lying for anyone. We also run into that sense of entitlement from some patients who don't want to pay a cent for anything. Please don't tell me you can't pay $2.00 for your lisinopril when you have three packs of cigarettes hanging out of your purse, and then have the nerve to ask me to waive your med co-payment. Grrrrrr..... Fortunately, not all patients are like this and that's what keeps me going in this environemnt.