Tired of some MDs....

[Emma_H]

I am getting tired of feeling nervous calling certain doctors and them making my job that much more difficult.... some older GI docs literally make me feel like a piece of **** when I call them and make me feel helpless. I generally think I know my patients well, what I need, etc. but there are certain doctors who consistenly get mad at you for calling because they don't have time to deal with it or are maybe just having a bad day and take it on you... I can understand that they may feel burnt out and are over worked but the issues are often not my problem but they end of being. For instance, I call a doctor the other day about a patient and family wanting to see and speak with the doctor on the plan as this doctor has not seen the patient in 2 days... and he yells at me. It leaves me in the difficult position with the patient and their family, and I am left feeling helpless. Yes, I can give the patient and family a general update/plan, but if the plan is not clear to me then what am I suppose to do!?

[Novo]

He can't yell at you and by you accepting that type of abuse its only enabling his poor communication skills. Obviously you don't want to yell back but be firm in the fact that you are not suppose to be spoken to like that, command respect. I hear the "doctors are overworked" excuse and therefore can behave that way - no that's a copout. Next time something like that happens suggest that you call him back or chart exactly what he said to you. I'd even go as far as filing a report. Take a zero tolerance stance to verbal abuse and your working conditions will improve. It may burn some bridges but that's sacrifice for your own sanity and your patients wellbeing.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Dealing with bad doctor behavior often depends on the culture of your workplace. Management at some facilities likes to coddle doctors because they are regarded as the ultimate revenue-generators who refer paying patients. At some of the more progressive facilities, nurses and ancillary staff are encouraged to report bad doctor behavior.

At the next instance of bad behavior, try telling the next grumpy doctor, "I did not yell at you. Please do not yell at me." Sometimes direct confrontation works if you are tactful with the words you choose. Good luck to you.

[Hygiene Queen]

I had to end a conversation several weeks ago.

He was becoming verbally abusive and one point he mocked me.

I told him, "Now you're being silly. I'm ending this conversation now."

I didn't yell and I didn't slam down the phone...

But I can tell you, this doc has been very respectful since.

If the doc is getting "silly", calmly call them on it and end the call... and inform your charge nurse/ report it.

You can do that, you know.

[Emma_H]

Yes, thank-you, I will have to start reporting and documenting... It is a regular occurrence with many nurses.

[Isabel-ANP-BC]

You do not have to take that kind of abuse, but you do need to be polite when you refuse to. I have simply said, "I am taking care of your patient and I need your assistance to do so. If you would like to continue to yell at me, I will hang up (or walk away) and your patient will suffer. Please don't do that to someone." Usually works.

When it didn't, I have said, "I am not required as part of my job to put up with your disrespect. Please treat me like a professional." Then I'd hang up and walk away. That always worked.

Now that I'm on the receiving end of those calls, I try to remember how much I hated how providers would treat me...sometimes I have to apologize, but that's rare...we're all professional and deserve to be treated that way.

[Race Mom, ASN, RN]

I'd even go as far as filing a report. Take a zero tolerance stance to verbal abuse and your working conditions will improve. It may burn some bridges but that's sacrifice for your own sanity and your patients wellbeing.

Wow. This really is the opposite of the last post you made on the RN who "snitched" on her preceptor for working outside of her scope. I thought you said "no one likes a snitch", even commenting about how she burned bridges. I think she was acting in her patient's wellbeing. Make up your mind.