Thanking your favorite Doctor

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Oct 16, 2012

Why wouldn't it be ok? I always thank my doctors, I sent my neurosurgeon a card on the 5 year anniversary of my brain surgery.

dudette10, MSN, RN · Oct 16, 2012

As a colleague or as a patient? Not that it really matters, but the way you go about it should be different depending on your relationship.

As a colleague, a simple, "Thank you for your help the other day with the patient in room 472. You are always collaborative with me in patient care, and I really appreciate that. I enjoy working with you."

As a patient, verbal thank you's and a card to the office is nice. Don't forget to leave comments on Healthgrades or other such sites that people go to to review doctors.

SaoirseRN · Oct 17, 2012

I think you should. I've thanked doctors when they've done something I appreciate, even if it falls under what they would call "doing their job". Everyone appreciates a thank you, especially from someone they work with.

I once had a patient assault my coworker and I on a night shift. We were just the two of us working in a very small unit within a larger hospital. We called a staff assist, and got the patient contained, but this was completely unusual behaviour for a normally oriented man so there was nothing ordered for him.

I phoned his doctor (who was just as surprised as I at the behaviour) and got orders, then told him I would call back to update him. I never got the chance to call, because in he walked at 2330 on a Sunday night.

He physically didn't and couldn't do much that his phone orders didn't cover, though seeing his doctor settled the patients agitation because he now knew he could trust us.

I thanked him then of course, but also took the time a few weeks later to specifically tell him I appreciated it. I didn't know this doc well at that time, yet he didn't underestimate my concerns as some may have. His patient's behaviour was outside of normal for the patient, so he came to see him. And just the whole moral support of the situation was very much appreciated. So I told him so, thanked him for coming in, and as I expected he tried to say he was just doing his job.

Same doctor, months later, and we had a complicated palliative situation. He and I and the family were engaged in the conversation that led to the official decision to go fully comfort care. He was honest and compassionate, telling them hard truths without false hope, yet with such kindness. After the patient had passed, I thanked him for the way he was with the family, because it isn't easy and not all doctors are able to manage those difficult conversations well. This led to a good conversation between him and I about end of life care and about teamwork between nurses and doctors.

We like to know when we are appreciated. Yes, it isn't why we do our jobs, but I know it feels nice to hear when you are appreciated. Doctors are people too, and I think it's not only a nice thing to do, person to person, but it also helps generate more positive professional relationships between us.

We are a team, after all, even if nobody thinks of it that way. Different roles, but both necessary for the care of our patients.