Taming the Disruptive Physician

Stargazer · Feb 6, 2003

Very intersting article, thanks, Karen. Have forwarded to my boss and some nurse colleagues. Might be some ideas in there we can adapt.

emily_mom · Feb 6, 2003

Thanks Karen! You seem to always find the best stuff...very pertinent to a situation at work right now. Too many "gods", not enough congregation...

Kristy

Sleepyeyes · Feb 6, 2003

Thanks Karen!

This article needs to be displayed on every board in every break room in the country--and a copy should be given to each UM.

-jt · Mar 6, 2003

Thanks for posting the article. I printed it out & hung it up on one of our RN union bulletin boards. I chose to put it on the one outside the nursing & CEO offices in the hospitals executive wing so the head honchos would be sure to see it. It was very timely because we have been having a problem with some disruptive physicians. Grievances & an unfair labor practice charge are pending on this issue and the article was a subtle way of reminding them of that. Just wanted you to know that 2 days after I put it up, we were contacted by the VP of Medicine, admitting that he recognizes there is a problem, is researching ways to eliminate it and he asked for a copy of the article - which we gladly gave him.

I expect that when the grievance & ULP against our hospital for allowing MD abusive behavior are heard, some of what this article suggested will be stated in their corrective action plan. Thanks again.

And thank you Brian for creating a forum that is more than just a place to vent but is actually a place where we can share info and ammunition to really help each other make improvements at work.

RN2B2005 · Mar 6, 2003

Thanks, Karen, for posting the link.

I think that the point about some disruptive physicians wanting to change but not knowing how is particularly salient. One of my close friends (and former boss) is a physician who was disciplined for disruptive behaviour, including screaming fits, throwing objects, etc.

He was (and is) an extremely bright guy who had gone straight from college into medical school, and from there into his residency and later his fellowship. Part of his problem was a frustration at explaining things that were eminently obvious to him but not so obvious to those around him.

Although he knew that his behaviours intimidated staff, he didn't know how to change or stop it. Eventually, the other physicians in the practise transferred him away from our practise and sharply limited his non-medical duties. Perhaps if someone had talked to him earlier in his career, and given him some direction, he wouldn't have ended up losing his medical directorship and the respect of employees and colleagues.

pickledpepperRN · Mar 6, 2003

Excellent post and responses!

At one hospiat the nun who was DON would not allow verbal or other abuse. It did not happen. What a surprise when I worked registry at a nearby hospital and heard an MD yelling and cursing! He was always polite where it was expected.

The nursing staff on one unit have stopped even the worst by doing what was taught by Laurs Gasparis Vonfrolio:

http://www.greatnurses.com

They call a "Code Pink" when the abuse begins. All including clerks and aides come and "record" exactly what is done and said. Names of witnesses are included. Seems there was once a surgeon who berated nurses in front of patients then denied it later. Now he is appropriate.

Another surgeon and nice man did make very inappropriate comments in the name of humor. I once told him, "That is embarassing to me." in the room with a very sick patient and a new RN I was orienting.

He since has made a point of telling me a clean joke every time he is on the unit at night.

Management and other medical staff can mandate it like in the article. Staff nurses DO have some options if they are not supported.

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Mar 7, 2003

from _JT
...I chose to put it on the one outside the nursing & CEO offices in the hospitals executive wing so the head honchos would be sure to see it. It was very timely because we have been having a problem with some disruptive physicians. Grievances & an unfair labor practice charge are pending on this issue and the article was a subtle way of reminding them of that. Just wanted you to know that 2 days after I put it up, we were contacted by the VP of Medicine, admitting that he recognizes there is a problem, is researching ways to eliminate it and he asked for a copy of the article - which we gladly gave him.

Right Timing and Location---so often can make the difference.

Glad I found the article and that it will help others.

Being written by an MD didn't hurt either and that the source was a website many administrators visit.

KNOWLEDGE=POWER ... trying to do my part here to enpower nurses.

lyn27604 · Mar 25, 2003

What about the nurse that is rude and disruptive to her collegues.

LasVegasRN · Mar 25, 2003

Originally posted by NRSKarenRN
..KNOWLEDGE=POWER ... trying to do my part here to enpower nurses.

Yes you do Karen, and you rock! :cool:

Our facility has adopted this practice and it is working WELL.

sjoe · Mar 26, 2003

"What about the nurse that is rude and disruptive to her collegues."

Unfortunately, I have seen much more of this than I have of disruptive doctors. Head nurses throwing screaming tantrums, "getting in people's faces," and so forth (NOT mine, I might add). Abusive and publicly insulting nursing supervisors, etc. But I guess we need a different link for that.

Used and abused · May 16, 2003

I recall this "code pink" being done. What we did as a group is surrounded the nurse that was being berated and believe me, there is strength in numbers. When he or she is losing it and several nurses stand with arms crossed WITH the victim, the steam is lost by the offender.

What my experience is, how do you deal with a MANAGER who does this? I lost my job because MANAGEMENT STICKS TOGETHER. She is a bully and it just did not work, I am the third to leave in 6 months, 3 cut to part time. MY career was halted and stopped and I was there a long time.

A bully gets rid of the weakest and strongest.