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Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,238
Registered: ‎07-23-2010

It's really complicated thats for sure -- if the specialist is the best person to treat you, sometimes you have to deal with the doctor being a jerk.

 

There was a doctor when my brother was in the hospital. I was waiting in my brother's room for him to wake up. This doctor I had never seen before walked in - looked at my brother, then at me and asked me if he was DEAD!  I looked at him and said - really? do you think I'd be sitting here reading a book?  No, he's asleep.  Jerk just wanted to listen to his heart so woke him up to do that. 

 

I didn't get his name and he was someone I had not seen before. I was very upset and unhappy about that. 

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No.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 47,135
Registered: ‎08-23-2010

@chrystaltree wrote:

It depends on what he said to me.  Many doctors, especially older ones, can be short and snippy to patients and everyone else.  I worked in healthcare for 40 years.  If I had a dollar for every doctor who talked down to me, I'd be wealthy today.  But I would never accept demeaning, insulting or bullying.  It was actually a doctor who told me that when first started working.  If you feel you have cause to complain, I would not go to the department head.  I'd lodge a written complaint with the president of the hospital and with the director of human resources.  Don't get overly emotional.  Don't write a novel.  Just explain the circumstances and what was said to you.


 

@chrystaltree 

 

From your perspective, don't you think the OP should talk to her doctor FIRST?  

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Posts: 78,305
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

 


@Desertdi wrote:

I'm mulling it over.    My dentist's new hygienist treats me like I'm deaf and senile....sorta speaks loud "baby talk" to me.     

 

Since I've been a patient there for over 20 years, I seriously think I should say something....


@Desertdi.  Well, why don't you tell her you feel like she's speaking in a condescending manner?  Advise you that you are an adult, not a senile old lady.

 

I definitely think you should say something.  She may not realize she's doing it.

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@Tinkrbl44 wrote:

 

Report a doctor to the head of their department

for treating you as if you were stupid?

 


@jlkz wrote:

@Jo1313 

 

Before I would report him / her,  I would confront the doctor directly on his/ her treatment of you.  Did the doctor realize that this was how their behavior came across ?

 

Then I would restate why you made the comment or question put to the doctor.  Do you understand why I made the comment or asked the question....  Etc.

 

Only then would I report the doctor.  If the doctor is a specialist and the "best" in that specialty, you may want to rethink your options.


 

 @Jo1313 

 

I'd like to know what's behind the reluctance to discuss this directly with the MD and think "reporting" them is a better option.  Do you have trouble standing up for yourself?  

 

I agree with @jlkz .   

 

We're all grownups here and the first step is always talking to the person you feel is problematic.  

 

Obviously I know little about the background or how long you've had this doctor.  However, not saying anything to the doc and then going to their superior seems a bit childish to me. 

 

JMO, of course.


I did confront the "dr" so now it's their word against mine.

Just because I'm old and gray..doesn't mean I'm deaf and stupid! Talking to a few other people..I'm not the only one with an issue..

It's like dealing with a child "playing doctor".

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Posts: 47,135
Registered: ‎08-23-2010

@GinaV24 wrote:

It's really complicated thats for sure -- if the specialist is the best person to treat you, sometimes you have to deal with the doctor being a jerk.

 

There was a doctor when my brother was in the hospital. I was waiting in my brother's room for him to wake up. This doctor I had never seen before walked in - looked at my brother, then at me and asked me if he was DEAD!  I looked at him and said - really? do you think I'd be sitting here reading a book?  No, he's asleep.  Jerk just wanted to listen to his heart so woke him up to do that. 

 

I didn't get his name and he was someone I had not seen before. I was very upset and unhappy about that. 


 

@GinaV24 

 

It also depends on whether the MD is someone you'll see regularly versus someone you might see only a couple times.

 

If I needed brain surgery, for instance, and the very best doc was a "jerk",  I'd keep them.... and tell them what I really thought AFTER my brain surgery.  LOL  Woman LOL

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Posts: 47,135
Registered: ‎08-23-2010

@Jo1313 wrote:

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:

 

Report a doctor to the head of their department

for treating you as if you were stupid?

 


@jlkz wrote:

@Jo1313 

 

Before I would report him / her,  I would confront the doctor directly on his/ her treatment of you.  Did the doctor realize that this was how their behavior came across ?

 

Then I would restate why you made the comment or question put to the doctor.  Do you understand why I made the comment or asked the question....  Etc.

 

Only then would I report the doctor.  If the doctor is a specialist and the "best" in that specialty, you may want to rethink your options.


 

 @Jo1313 

 

I'd like to know what's behind the reluctance to discuss this directly with the MD and think "reporting" them is a better option.  Do you have trouble standing up for yourself?  

 

I agree with @jlkz .   

 

We're all grownups here and the first step is always talking to the person you feel is problematic.  

 

Obviously I know little about the background or how long you've had this doctor.  However, not saying anything to the doc and then going to their superior seems a bit childish to me. 

 

JMO, of course.


I did confront the "dr" so now it's their word against mine.

Just because I'm old and gray..doesn't mean I'm deaf and stupid! Talking to a few other people..I'm not the only one with an issue..

It's like dealing with a child "playing doctor".


 

@Jo1313 

 

Thank you for adding that clarification. 

 

So what did they say when you confronted them?  

 

 

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Posts: 21,114
Registered: ‎07-26-2014

@Jo1313   In a heart beat!

"Never argue with a fool. Onlookers may not be able to tell the difference."


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Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,562
Registered: ‎07-26-2019

 More info is needed . Are you a colleague and part of a health care team or are you a patient ?  How did he  tell you  infomation that you say you alreday know . Did he speak using lay terms  or do you feel he was to basic in the  medical information he was speaking to you abt ?

 

 

In any event , I would thank the Doctor for providing me more infomation or  for presenting teaching info. Then say that you have a wealth of knowledge and that you'd appreciate discussions abt medical issues on a higher than basic level with him.

 

 Speak directly with whomever you may  have  a complaint abt .

Honored Contributor
Posts: 16,841
Registered: ‎09-01-2010

Re: Would you ever

[ Edited ]

YES.  As an advocate for my husband in the VA health system, I have made numerous fact based complaints that were investigated and have resulted in changes to help other veterans.  We have had several meetings with the Administrator as well as Chief of Staff over physician issues.