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Honored Contributor
Posts: 20,375
Registered: ‎10-25-2010

No, I would not, but I would speak up directly to the doctor.

 

I have twice in my lifetime spoke up and was assertive to doctors that treated me awful.

 

 One kept calling me Missy.  When I had enough, I addressed him as " Bobby."  His first name was Robert. He said my name is Dr. RMI and I said and my name is Ms. CMC, not Missy. I never went back and his office kept calling me to make another appointment..

 

Another doctor tried to tell me I needed a hip replacement instead of a knee replacement....never looked at x rays.

 

I gave him a piece of my mind and called him an idiot.  I went to another doctor in the same office who replaced my knee.  My hip has never hurt and is fine.

 

When I was 20, a GYN doctor who's father is also a doctor, and best friends with my husband's family, sexually assaulted me during an exam.  I was scared.  I never reported him.  I wish I had.

 

 Over the years I learned that he assaulted others and got away with it.  Not one person ever reported him.  I wish I would have punched him and kicked him somewhere senstitive.  He is 85 and still practicing. Pervert!!

 

 

 

 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 31,991
Registered: ‎05-10-2010

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:

@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?  

 

Why?  She is already upset by something he said or the way he spoke to her.  If she wants to report him, I think it's probably something serious.  Most women would not want a confrontation or a fake apology.  And if she has an issue with him, other women do too.  Every hospital has a way of dealing complaints like this.  Sometimes it's a matter of retraining physicians and other caregivers.  They want patients, families and staff to feel comfortable and respected. 


 

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,119
Registered: ‎02-02-2021

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:

@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?  

 

 


The "dr." said make a "lab appointment" and walked out the door.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,716
Registered: ‎11-15-2011

Many of the patients the Doctors deal with are "??"

 

I asked a friend what she was taking and she said, It's 15 mg."  Had no idea what or why she was taking it.

 

Most, yes most patients are intimidated by Doctors and just take whatever they say...Never speaking back or clarifying the situation!  I have 2 Drs and a PA in the family, and they are just people..not Gods!  

 

When I asked the Hosp Dr. what I should do when I got out (I had Covid), she said , "Do you have a PCP?" 

I answered, "At least that is an answer."  No info at all.

 

Doctors are bad and Beauticians are worse!

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,091
Registered: ‎02-26-2012

I have been dealing with a LOT off medical professionals the past couple of years and no, I would not report a doctor to their supervisor. In each case I had a problem, I directed any questions/annoyance to the doctor. I was never outright rude, but I was direct. Mostly they said good for you for being an advocate....yadda yadda...and they answered my question and/or changed how they communicated to me.

 

Now I have gone to a supervisor of a nurse practioner who was horrible. To use a tired cliché, I went full on into Karen mode and let the supervisor know the NP was unacceptable. I was not the first one to complain. I am not sorry. I hope she found another profession to get into. 

"What we practice daily is what we build a life on. Practice peace, love & kindness."