Parents who are Doctors

Published

Hi Guys! Just checking to see how you deal with parents that are physicians. I work in an expensive private school and deal with parents of many job backgrounds which include many physicians. Some are nice and some are not so nice. Am I the only one who feels a twinge of anxiety in speaking to these parents? Usually they ask their child's symptoms and are either are accommodating in picking them up or are very aggressive in refuting your findings and insist on not picking them up. While I always reference our school policy, I'm curious to see how others handle these parents. Do you ever defer to their opinions since they are practicing physicians?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in IMC, school nursing.

My administration is very accomodating. Unfortunately, they are so both ways. Private means customer service becomes a thing. I would ask admin what they want you to do. They are the ones who must deal with all fallout, whether from Dr. Mom or other parents who find out Dr Mom's kid didn't have to follow the rules and got everyone sick, etc.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.

Document, Document, Document. "Dr. X declined to pick little darling up, stating that she saw the rash this morning and it looked unimpressive."

MrNurse is right, though. Most of the time when I point out the policy my admin is behind me and they'll address the parent. Sometimes you can't win. Remember the computer in War Games: "The only way to win is not to play."

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I work in a private school and have many parents who are doctors. I also have many parents who are business execs who think they are equally qualified and state that Johnny's 101 temp is not a big deal. I just refer to my policies and remind them of the handbook they signed back in August. Just remember that you're a RN because you're trained and qualified!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you guys. This really helps. Thankfully my administration is super supportive. Its just always a little nerve wreaking because customer service is big here and you never know whether you're going to get sugar or spice with them.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

With some exceptions, I've seen doctor parents forget they went to medical school when it applies to their children.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Not private school but I have a couple of parents like that (one is NP and will throw that in my face every time I talk to her) they will pretty much listen and pick their kid up if it is a policy issue. But if I call for random, vague issues - you know sometimes kids don't feel 100% and don't have fever etc but you can tell they don't feel well - these parents will get alittle snippy & irritated with me, talk down to me at times. I just document and pass the info onto the teachers - what else can we do???

Up Vote Up Vote ×

A lot of times I'll tell my medical parents "Look, I know they don't need medical attention, but they're just not able to make it through the day". Mine have been good about per policy pick-ups, but the "just feel like crap" pick-ups are the ones they tend to get defensive about.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School nursing.
With some exceptions, I've seen doctor parents forget they went to medical school when it applies to their children.

This, totally!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.
With some exceptions, I've seen doctor parents forget they went to medical school when it applies to their children.

Not a physician, but this FNP will certainly raise her hand. My kiddo was sick about a month ago and my list of differentials was strep vs. flu....didn't even occur to me that my 13yo could have mono despite being the perfect age for it, until a family practice friend pointed it out on social media. It ended up being strep, but I totally missed what could've been a big miss, and when I'm in clinic I always include it in my differentials when I work someone up for strep!

So yeah, we really do lose a bit of objectivity when we're out of our familiar clinical environment.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
Not a physician, but this FNP will certainly raise her hand. My kiddo was sick about a month ago and my list of differentials was strep vs. flu....didn't even occur to me that my 13yo could have mono despite being the perfect age for it, until a family practice friend pointed it out on social media. It ended up being strep, but I totally missed what could've been a big miss, and when I'm in clinic I always include it in my differentials when I work someone up for strep!

So yeah, we really do lose a bit of objectivity when we're out of our familiar clinical environment.

Quite the heartfelt and honest post!! You need to hang around here more often.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School nurse.
With some exceptions, I've seen doctor parents forget they went to medical school when it applies to their children.

This!

How many of us wish we worked with OldDude? Thankful to have you at the nurses station.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion