MDs licensure may depend on bedside manner?

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CNN.com reports that med students may soon have to pass "bedside manner" tests to get licensed:

http://www.cnn.com/2002/HEALTH/07/28/bedside.manner.ap/index.html

Obviously the logistics are a problem right now, but I sure wish that, for example, the anesthiologist for my dad's surgery 2 weeks ago had been "graded" on his listening abilities (or lack thereof) at some point in his career...

Interesting that the argument in favor of this new testing is that 75% of malpractice lawsuits claim that miscommunication was a factor--no mention of how that same miscommunication may have resulted in ACTUAL PT CARE ERRORS. :rolleyes:

What do y'all think? Is this a good idea? Should nurses be subject to this too?

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Specializes in Community Health Nurse.

If an MDs license was dependent on his "character test" and how well he would present himself with what are known as "bedside manners", RNs would have no choice but to take over in their places because they would be leaving the field in record numbers. :rotfl: There are FARRRRRR too many docs with suck azz attitudes, and I hope they do start requiring this test of all docs. Less butt holes we nurses would have to put up with...IMHPO...:lol2:

It's not such a bad idea though.......should be required of ALL medical staff who work with patients. When I worked in Alaska, I remember a test they gave each employee that described each employees personality. Once the employees were tested, they had to wear the initial of each personality characteristic/trait on their badges so the other staff could see what type of personality traits they were working with so as to be more "tolerant" of that individual's need to express themselves based on their character/personality trait(s). Pretty neat huh? :nurse:

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I think docs should behave in a professional manner. I have a bigger problem with how they treat the saff, particularly night shifts, rather than patients. Most of the docs I deal with know how to suck up to patients and families. Not that they are truthful with them but they usually know how to tell them what they want to hear. I think nurses should be able to disclose when Docs don't respond to the patients needs, TO THE PATIENT.

How did the personality signs work? Was it a nicer place to work in? I'm shocked the ACLU allowed that! Maybe it's too cold in Alaska!!

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

what about NURSE-SIDE manner? I would like to see them treat us better, too!

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Specializes in Community Health Nurse.
originally posted by fedupnurse

........................................................................how did the personality signs work? was it a nicer place to work in? i'm shocked the aclu allowed that! maybe it's too cold in alaska!!

since i was only per diem staff for a

short time there, i hadn't been there long enough to

have the test, but would have liked to have been

as i liked working there. great staff! :)

yes, winter last a long while in alaska, but it's

tolerable.

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good point SmilingBluEyes!!!!!!!!!

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I don't see a problem with it. Our RN programs all require at least 6 credits in communication courses because it's such an important skill when working with people.

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Now would they put an a for @$$hole on the surgeons or just a picture of one??

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Specializes in Community Health Nurse.

fergus51......thumbs up from me on that one! :)

fedupnurse.........:rotfl: :rotfl:

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