41 Secrets Your Doctor Would Never Share

MassED, BSN, RN · Jul 22, 2008

....Those free medication samples may not be the best -- or safest......

....Plan for a time when the bulk of your medical care will come from less committed doctors willing to work for much lower wages. Plan for a very impersonal and rushed visit during which the true nature of your problems will probably never be addressed and issues just under the surface will never be uncovered......
http://www.rd.com/living-healthy/41-medical-secrets/article75920.html

I just bought this Reader's Digest and read that article... pretty much it's an echo of everything we nurses say ....

Jo Dirt · Jul 23, 2008

This just justifies my cynical attitude even more.

ANPFNPGNP · Jul 24, 2008

....Those free medication samples may not be the best -- or safest......
....Plan for a time when the bulk of your medical care will come from less committed doctors willing to work for much lower wages. Plan for a very impersonal and rushed visit during which the true nature of your problems will probably never be addressed and issues just under the surface will never be uncovered......
http://www.rd.com/living-healthy/41-medical-secrets/article75920.html

I can add to this list.

#42. If you're a "work in," then you are allowed ONE problem. If you have a laundry list of concerns, then you need to reschedule for a longer visit.

#43. If any part of your anatomy has been amputated (that means CUT OFF), then that is a clue that you need to go to the nearest ER. Don't walk into my MINOR emergency clinic holding your finger and ask me why I can't sew it back on!

#44. Don't come back to me for a "2nd opinion" after you've just seen the specialist I've referred you to.

#45. Don't call the office asking for another script for Lortab, Xanax, whatever...because you lost yours. Remember, all I have to do is call your pharmacy to find out that you had actually filled it! Also, don't lie to me when I ask you if you're getting pain meds from other docs. I can easily call the major pharmacies (Walgreen's, Wal-Mart, CVS, etc) and they can give me that information. In fact, they usually call ME when they see this happening!

#46. Don't let me write out all your prescriptions and then inform me that you just found out you're pregnant! Believe it or not, it's not a myth that pregnant women can't take certain medications!

#47. When I see you're there for back pain and I notice your allergies include all NSAID's and Tramadol, then I know you're a drug seeker. I also know you're a drug seeker when you tell me that there's a medication that is really effective in controlling your pain, but you're not sure what it is, but it starts with HYDRO...I know the generic names for those medications.

I could keep going, but I've gotta get back to work!

scribblerpnp · Jul 24, 2008

This is soooo true. And the public (or med or nursing students) just don't understand why we are so cynical. My idealism used to be there, but daily issues with pts, insurances, etc have chipped it bit by bit until all that is left is a sucking void of myself just trying to get through my day.

But today has been a particularly bad day. Maybe tomorrow I won't feel exactly like this.

I did enjoy the article though, so thanks for posting.

JDCitizen · Jul 24, 2008

I can add to this list.
#42. If you're a "work in," then you are allowed ONE problem. If you have a laundry list of concerns, then you need to reschedule for a longer visit.
#43. If any part of your anatomy has been amputated (that means CUT OFF), then that is a clue that you need to go to the nearest ER. Don't walk into my MINOR emergency clinic holding your finger and ask me why I can't sew it back on!
#44. Don't come back to me for a "2nd opinion" after you've just seen the specialist I've referred you to.
#45. Don't call the office asking for another script for Lortab, Xanax, whatever...because you lost yours. Remember, all I have to do is call your pharmacy to find out that you had actually filled it! Also, don't lie to me when I ask you if you're getting pain meds from other docs. I can easily call the major pharmacies (Walgreen's, Wal-Mart, CVS, etc) and they can give me that information. In fact, they usually call ME when they see this happening!
#46. Don't let me write out all your prescriptions and then inform me that you just found out you're pregnant! Believe it or not, it's not a myth that pregnant women can't take certain medications!
#47. When I see you're there for back pain and I notice your allergies include all NSAID's and Tramadol, then I know you're a drug seeker. I also know you're a drug seeker when you tell me that there's a medication that is really effective in controlling your pain, but you're not sure what it is, but it starts with HYDRO...I know the generic names for those medications.
I could keep going, but I've gotta get back to work!

.....but it starts with HYDRO... :chuckle:clown::chuckle Way too funny! Been there heard that and was not even out of clinicals........

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Jul 24, 2008

I thougt this was interesting:

60% of doctors don't follow hand-washing guidelines.
Source: CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

I wonder how that compares to nurses?