Yelling Doctors, How do you handle them?????

[Danielle7]

The other night at work (I work 7PM shift), I admitted a new patient. She was seen at her doctors office a couple days before and was started on PO antibiotics TID. She did not take her antibiotic all day. At my hospital we are to clarify meds upon admission and she could not remember the dose perscribed. So I had to page her doctor, which has a reputation of being mean at 11PM (not that late). He interrupted my question by yelling/screaming at me, asking me how he would know the dose (he prescribed it), demanding I answer why it couldn't wait till morning while huffing and puffing on the phone!!! I know if I didn't address it, the charge nurse or someone would of had my neck due to policy...Can't win!!

I've only been a nurse for 8 months and I haven't had much experience with this.

My question is... How do you respond to a doctor who talks to you this way- I mean screams at you this way?

[ToxicShock]

People should not be yelling at each other in a professional setting - period. Deal with it like adults.

[Scrubby]

If you really believe this, I encourage you to call the police the next time a physician yells at you.

I imagine the laughter of the 911 operator will be the last thing you hear before you're fired.

This post really summarised a fairly disgusting attitude towards nurses.

The next time you yell at a nurse because your too immature and unprofessional to control your temper, I really do hope that you are disciplined for it.

It's very disapointing that you haven't taken the time to read and consider what people on this forum are saying and have even resorted to making jokes about the issue. There is nothing at all amusing about workplace bullying.

Of course you wouldn't ring 911 over someone yelling, unless they threaten violence and you fear for your own personal safety.

But if yelling at people is a continued behaviour (which as you stated before you are more than happy to do) then you are a workplace bully and one of these days it's going to catch up with you.

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

"The fact that it is "hospital policy" does not trump the requirement to act with basic human courtesy. "

Some hospitals are pretty rigid about their policies. I've been written up for less, several times. I didn't follow policy exactly as written, and although patient care wasn't affected my job was in jeopardy. Even if this particular rule wasn't iron clad, a new nurse can't be expected to pick and choose the rules she follows. Some paperwork can have serious implications for patients, and some is just irritating busy work, but it takes a while to know which is which.

TiredMD I'm glad you come and post here. I know why the doc was angry, but I don't agree with yelling at the caller. I also don't see yelling as an effective way to solve problems. If someone doesn't respond to an explanation as to why your request is important, it's unlikely they will abide by your decision if you yell. Some people are dumb, some just lazy, yelling won't cure either one.

[TiredMD]

I know why the doc was angry, but I don't agree with yelling at the caller. I also don't see yelling as an effective way to solve problems.

Once the OP clarified that this physician was on-call, obviously the yelling was inappropriate. Hell, the anger at being called was inappropriate.

But I continue to insist that not only is yelling not a particularly big deal, but it can also be incredibly effective if used infrequently and only when absolutely necessary.

Seriously, if you haven't yelled at someone lately, give it a try. You might be shocked how well it works.

[nursesail]

In this day and age with the communists in control I would not be surprised to find a policeman come up and arrest the doctor.

[nursesail]

Well, the first thing I did was time and date incident, document in the patient's notes that the MD was called to clarify an order and that the MD did not clarify the order. Then I report the MD to my supervisor and file a complaint. With one that was particularly nasty, I also researched to report him to the state licensing for abuse. If he threatens you, you can go down to the police station and file a complaint. You don't have to dial 911.

[Babs0512]

by TiredMD: "There's a tendency on this board to equate yelling with some kind of hideous assault that leaves people emotionally scarred. I've never understood that, and personally I'm grateful I've never worked in a place where people shared that attitude. There are times when it is perfectly appropriate to raise your voice, and I have employed it (effectively) on numerous occassions. It's not illegal, it's not unprofessional when done at the correct time, and I see nothing wrong with it.

I disagree strongly. Yelling is completely unprofessional, and serves to try to intimidate others, therefore undermining the team work environment. Not to mention that if the yelling is done within the ear shot of patients, it can undermine the trust and faith in their health care team. If the yelling is done in front of other staff, it again, undermines the entire team and puts the yeller in a dominant albeit unflattering light, and the person being yelled at is push into the uncomfortable subservient position - and can effect the way others relate to that person.

Not to mention, yelling is just plain childish - and serves to block communication rather that foster communication.

I can think of no reason for yelling in the workplace, except for fire, or help, etc...

It boils down to "treat other as you'd like to be treated" - we learned this in kindergarten - or most of us did

[cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN]

Seriously, if you haven't yelled at someone lately, give it a try. You might be shocked how well it works.

What a pathetic view on life...

[Babs0512]

Don't shut down the thread, just trying to make a point and respond to Tired MD's last post - I'm going to try yelling at Tired MD, as he suggested:

"My God I hate idiot's! Can't you do anything right, can't you read common English!! You're such MORON!!"

Nope, I don't feel better at all. Your theory is busted TiredMD.

Blessings

[eriksoln, BSN, RN]

If you really believe this, I encourage you to call the police the next time a physician yells at you.

I imagine the laughter of the 911 operator will be the last thing you hear before you're fired.

Actually, I wouldnt be above doing that. But, you left out the most important part of my post...................you guys dont yell at me. Remember...........male nurse.............physicians afraid of retaliation.

How about I have my friend, nickname Floppy, the one who yelled at a bus driver, give you a call. He thought the same thing, until the police were called.

I'm being serious. PM me. I know where he is. I can get in touch with him. He calls me often, thinks that since I helped him get the landscapeing job I'll help him again this time when he gets out.

He gets lonely in there. He can even tell you why he is called Floppy, you'll have a great conversation.

[TiredMD]

But, you left out the most important part of my post...................you guys dont yell at me. Remember...........male nurse.............physicians afraid of retaliation.

That's kind of interesting, and I meant to ask you about it. I would have thought it would be opposite; that men would get yelled more than women, given the sensitivity to sexual harassment lawsuits.

FWIW, I work in an all-male environment, so there's no opportunity for gender preference when it comes to yelling . . .

[TiredMD]

If he threatens you, you can go down to the police station and file a complaint.

Whoa, don't think I'm equating yelling with threatening. Threatening is clearly out of order and obviously criminal.