Would you be a patient at your place of employment?

sticknurse · Sep 14, 2007

Call me paranoid, but I don't think I'd want that. Just think about the "confidential" stuff people let slip already....no way, not me.

PMALPN · Sep 14, 2007

I am working on getting a job in the clinic where I am a patient and thought about this too I really think is best to change clinic because co worker can look into your personal file, and I feel all that is private beside it could be uncomfortable.

agldragonRN · Sep 14, 2007

I wouldn't feel compfortable going there as a pt. But totally up yo you. You have to weigh your options.

deeDawntee, RN · Sep 14, 2007

That would totally be against HIPPA regulations. So if anyone did try to hold something against you, you would have the law on your side.

rn undisclosed name · Sep 14, 2007

Nope. Never.

I had a doc that I work with recently tell me that I have iron deficiency anemia. He could tell by looking at my nails. I told him that I would find out soon since I am scheduled for some lab work. He asked who I was going to. I told him. He said that doctor is no good. I think he has no idea who that doc is by the way he said it. He said, "You should come to me." While I do think he is a really good doc (with an awesome bedside manner) and I am on very good terms with him I just don't feel comfortable going to someone I see at work everyday.

Kelly

Catys_With_Me · Sep 14, 2007

Yeah. I'm not feeling overly comfortable about it, but I thought everyone would come on and say, "Oh that's no big deal, our place is great, quality care, what's the problem?!" But I guess I'm not alone in being a little concerned.

Last year I was working med-surg at a hospital and was having problems with depression. I wouldn't go see my doc because I didn't want to have to tell him that the person who cares for his patients is having mental health issues. I'm fine now, was actually undiagnosed hypothyroid, but if things change in the future I don't want to feel again like I can't get help. The lack of privacy among coworkers is an issue I hadn't even thought about until I read your responses.

Switching might be the best thing.

Catys_With_Me · Sep 14, 2007

That would totally be against HIPPA regulations. So if anyone did try to hold something against you, you would have the law on your side.

The contents of my medical record might not officially be held against me, but it might be an impetus to find something else to hold against me... Or maybe I'm just paranoid too.

njbikernurse · Sep 15, 2007

I definitely would not want to be a patient at my place of employment. I work in the county jail! All kidding aside, I did run into this situation where I was offered a job at a doctor's office where I used to be a patient, and even that made me uncomfortable. Current patient, even weirder.

EmmaG, RN · Sep 15, 2007

Nope. Never.
I had a doc that I work with recently tell me that I have iron deficiency anemia. He could tell by looking at my nails. I told him that I would find out soon since I am scheduled for some lab work. He asked who I was going to. I told him. He said that doctor is no good. I think he has no idea who that doc is by the way he said it. He said, "You should come to me." While I do think he is a really good doc (with an awesome bedside manner) and I am on very good terms with him I just don't feel comfortable going to someone I see at work everyday.
Kelly

Uh.

That's just unprofessional and downright creepy. Maybe I'm a bit too cynical, but I think you dodged a bullet here...

TazziRN, RN · Sep 15, 2007

I have worked at two different facilities and have been a pt at both. Their policies are to lock away the charts of employees, no one has access that is not directly involved with the care.

ericalynn, BSN, RN · Sep 15, 2007

About 7 years ago I needed to find a new MD to see for my yearly well woman exams so I found a place close to my home. About 8 months later I applied for a position as a medical records clerk and it just so happened to be at the office where I had been seen! I was hired and continued to see the MD I had previously seen at that office. I still go there to this day and I have never felt uncomfortable or like my privacy was compromised.