Scared to talk to Doctors

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I am a nursing student and I have a huge fear of talking to the Doc's. I am sure that I am not the only person with this fear, but how do you get past it? I would love it if someone could give me their input on the matter.

I am a student nurse as well. We were introduced to a communication technique called SBAR.

S situation

B background

A assessment

R recommendation

This has helped me a lot. By organizing my thoughts, making notes etc. I felt prepared when I had to make the call. There is lots of info on net, just google SBAR

Hope this helps!

Here is an example of a call to a physician using SBAR:

Dr. Jones, this is Deb McDonald RN, I am calling from ABC Hospital about your patient Jane Smith.

Situation: Here's the situation: Mrs. Smith is having increasing dyspnea and is complaining of chest pain.

Background: The supporting background information is that she had a total knee replacement two days ago. About two hours ago she began complaining of chest pain. Her pulse is 120 and her blood pressure is 128/54. She is restless and short of breath.

Assessment: My assessment of the situation is that she may be having a cardiac event or a pulmonary embolism.

Recommendation: I recommend that you see her immediately and that we start her on 02 stat.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PCU, Critical Care, Observation.

I think your fear is totally normal.....just remember, don't take anything they say personally if they are being rude. Some of them are just that way - just like in life - you're always going to run into a few jerks.

The best way to overcome your fears is to face it head on. Pretty soon you'll get used to calling them and you won't feel afraid at all.

Jen

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Day Surgery, Agency, Cath Lab, LTC/Psych.
the ones who are jerks, I find rather amusing.

Me too! I just have to laugh about the funny, over-the-top things they say after I get off the phone with them.

To the OP, doctors are just like everyone else. They need to be treated with the respect and courtesy that you give to all of your coworkers. Maintain a professional relationship with them and they will (or most of them will) treat you professionally in turn.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Day Surgery, Agency, Cath Lab, LTC/Psych.

I just started picturing them sitting on the pot or wiping their butt. I figure if they do that, they can't be that much above me.

:rotfl:

This sounds like what they tell you to do before you give a speech, "Picture the audience naked..."

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg.

Once you are out of school, you will be doing it all the time and the fear goes away. There are still a few doctors that I dread having to call though. However, I have learned not to take it personally if they snap at me. Before you call, gather all your info and be prepared. Have recent vitals available, recent lab results. If you are calling a covering doctor and they aren't familiar with the patient, make sure you know their pertinent medical history. I also try to read the doctor's progress note for that day before calling to make sure they haven't already addressed the issue.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Some doctors make it really easy to speak to, while others are well....jerks, ego maniacs and love the power trip of being a doctor. They will never be easy to converse with, so have your Ducks in A Row when you speak with them, also KISS- keep it simple stupid info you give them and avoid him/her at all cost. Believe me, there is still that wide divide between Godly doctors/and hand maiden nurses misconception. A lot of these irritable God-Like Docs don't feel comfortable in their own skin.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

new grads are just as terrified as you sound. i tell them to write things down that they want to cover with a doc before talking to them......labs, new orders, concerns, VS, outs, anything that may be pertinent to the conversationl being prepared and concise works to your advantage. sometimes, docs are grateful, sometimes they are just having a bad day and will yell....if shaken up afterwards, i just tell them i've been yelled at by better and laugh...........cuz i have! :smokin:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, telemetry.

This is a normal fear that will pass with time and experience.

My only advice is to completely assess the patient before you call, including a complete set of vitals, have the chart with you in case they ask you questions about labs, medications, history, etc....and always repeat orders back. Relax, these doctors are people too, they eat, fart, sleep and make mistakes just like we do.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER.

As long as you open with a line about being concerned about the pt you will almost never have an issue.

I have only had one issue with a doctor and I told him very simply and to the point that I did not become a nurse to make doctors happy, I'm here to take care of pt's.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Latley I have been talking to doctors more, and it is getting easier. I just make sure that I have all my ducks in a row before I call.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Home Health.

I was like that also. After you call them a few times, it gets easier. Just make sure you have all the info right in front of you when you call them...vital signs, labs, medications, whatever your concern is. There will be docs who will bite your head off, but you get used to that too. Some are just like that no matter who calls them. Just respond "Well, I am just concerned for the patient, as Im sure you are as well" That usually shuts them up. If not, dont let it get to ya. Everyone has a bad day.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The most important thing is be prepared. Have the chart with you or be logged on to the patient on the computer. Review the recent labs, x-ray results, consults and anything the doctor may ask about. Then tell the doctor the situation in as little words as possible. Be precise and to the point. And it always helps to suggest what the possible answer is. i.e. Dr. Smith, Ms. Jones in 301 says her last bm was 3 days ago. Do you think we could get an order for a stool softener?" Keep it simple. Obviously if ms. Jones abd was hard as a rock you would report that as well. Make sure you have done a full assessment. The following is what dr's hate: Hi, Dr Jones. This is ___________from _____________hospital. Yes, I'm calling about Ms. ___________you know that sweet little lady in 301. Oh by the way are you having a good day Dr. Jones? Yes, anyway, she was admitted on Tues. last week, or was it Wed??, I'm not exactly sure. . . Oh wait a minute it was Tuesday because that's the day I had my manicure appointment, and I remember I was running late, so anyway, yeah she was admitted on Tues, and she had nausea and vomiting and then they made her NPO. BUt since then she's beeen fine and blah, blah, blah, blah.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment