Health care provider, frustrated with patient's or guardian's attitudes

[Mickey's Minion]

You all may have great providers, I hope you do. But unless it is a specialist, you all are all "naive" to think your doctor knows your life's history, and never makes a mistake.
I was seen at the OB/GYN today and my visit was less than 5 minutes from a person I had never seen before. I had to ask are you okay with this or that since last time I had a problem with it, it wasn't like she knew. Maybe she should find a new career too.
As for that, I know I am good at what I do 95% of the time. I have rough days same as everyone else. And just because I am here to serve people, doesn't mean I like to get ran over.

I have yet to go to any doctor's visit; peds, family doc, ob-gyn, cardiologist where the doc, the PA, the NP or the nurse isn't glancing at the chart as they are walking in the room. Don't you have nurses that do the pre-visit, ie, temp and write down the basic questions for the doc? Why didn't the nurse inform you that the patient in room xyz was somebody on your not-to-see list?

 

[DawnCt1]

You all may have great providers, I hope you do. But unless it is a specialist, you all are all "naive" to think your doctor knows your life's history, and never makes a mistake.
I was seen at the OB/GYN today and my visit was less than 5 minutes from a person I had never seen before. I had to ask are you okay with this or that since last time I had a problem with it, it wasn't like she knew. Maybe she should find a new career too.
As for that, I know I am good at what I do 95% of the time. I have rough days same as everyone else. And just because I am here to serve people, doesn't mean I like to get ran over.

I am not sure how you got "ran over". Families with sick children are often stressed. You are not their primary concern; their child is.

 

[Bren's Mom]

OP, I'm in the 'you could have been much more sensitive' camp. I think you could have handled that situation with much more grace than you did.

And DanMedix, come on! First, you KNOW that you are responsible for protecting yourself. Those of us in public safety have been inundated with H1N1 information. You have GOT to know that vomiting/diarrhea/nausea are among the symptoms. Put a mask on on every call if you're that concerned. Don't blame this on your patients!

 

[IloveDMB]

The OP doesn't have a medical degree either but she is charged with the responsibility of taking care of a sick child, and often that includes offering the family emotional support; not insulting them. Is she is unsure of what diseases are contagious and the method of spread, it may be time to brush up on infectious diseases; children carry a lot of them. Anyone who delivers health care should have a full understanding of universal precautions. That is basic.

I do find it funny that she knew that herpes can be dangerous to a fetus, but didn't know enough that simply putting on a pair of gloves and washing her hands (which should be done before and after every patient, regardless) would help protect her.

 

[southernbelle_amy]

The OP doesn't have a medical degree either but she is charged with the responsibility of taking care of a sick child, and often that includes offering the family emotional support; not insulting them.

-I don’t have a medical degree, but I do have a medical license and obviously studied medicine. Secondly, as previously said I doubt that I am in serious risk, but if I were, it is a serious illness, and my supervising doctor and I had discussed this. It is not about universal precautions.

I have already had to be tested for 5th’s disease or parvovirus, during this pregnancy again due to exposure. Why would I want to have to keep having to worry about illnesses pregnant woman shouldn’t be around if there are other options. Something as innocent as 5th’s disease in most people can be detrimental for the unborn. (Fifth if contracted when pregnant or immuno-compromised (a weak immune system), complications may arise. Transmission of fifth disease from the mother to baby can have serious implications to the health of the baby)

 

[DanMedix]

That's another one I run into all the time. A patient is having an honest-to-goodness medical emergency, and they and/or their family is screaming at us to take them to a hospital 45 minutes away, bypassing 3 other emergency rooms equipped the same way because "their doctor is there".

....listen, people, 99% of the time...YOUR DOCTOR IS NOT THERE WAITING FOR YOU. Your doctor is on the back 9 of their country club. You will be seen by the ED physician who MAY call your PCP's office, and treat you according to your presentation. (but that's THEIR call, not mine)

If a patient is bad enough, we go to the closest appropriate facility. Trust me, it could save your life.

We're here to save your butts - not kiss them. Get off her back, y'all. She came here for an understanding ear.

 

[southernbelle_amy]

I do find it funny that she knew that herpes can be dangerous to a fetus, but didn't know enough that simply putting on a pair of gloves and washing her hands (which should be done before and after every patient, regardless) would help protect her.

If I had examined the child yes I know to put on gloves, and by the way I sanitize my hands before every patient I see. Yes this would “help” to protect me, but again, why not have 0% risk in this incidence

 

[Allison]

Get off her back, y'all. She came here for an understanding ear.

This is a discussion board. The rules are not that we have to agree with the OP and only offer support. As long as board rules are not being violated we are free to post our thoughts on the matter.

 

[DawnCt1]

That's another one I run into all the time. A patient is having an honest-to-goodness medical emergency, and they and/or their family is screaming at us to take them to a hospital 45 minutes away, bypassing 3 other emergency rooms equipped the same way because "their doctor is there".

....listen, people, 99% of the time...YOUR DOCTOR IS NOT THERE WAITING FOR YOU. Your doctor is on the back 9 of their country club. You will be seen by the ED physician who MAY call your PCP's office, and treat you according to your presentation. (but that's THEIR call, not mine)

If a patient is bad enough, we go to the closest appropriate facility. Trust me, it could save your life.

We're here to save your butts - not kiss them. Get off her back, y'all. She came here for an understanding ear.

Patients and their families do not always understand the gravity of a situation. They want what is familiar. It is your job to handle the emergency and diffuse a difficult situation. I can understand the OP's concerns. I have been pregnant before. I have had difficult patients before and I have been concerned about environmental and infectious disease exposures during those times, however, it isn't up the patient to watch out for us. It is up to us to watch out for us and watch out for the patient at the same time.

 

[IloveDMB]

That's another one I run into all the time. A patient is having an honest-to-goodness medical emergency, and they and/or their family is screaming at us to take them to a hospital 45 minutes away, bypassing 3 other emergency rooms equipped the same way because "their doctor is there".

....listen, people, 99% of the time...YOUR DOCTOR IS NOT THERE WAITING FOR YOU. Your doctor is on the back 9 of their country club. You will be seen by the ED physician who MAY call your PCP's office, and treat you according to your presentation. (but that's THEIR call, not mine)

If a patient is bad enough, we go to the closest appropriate facility. Trust me, it could save your life.

We're here to save your butts - not kiss them. Get off her back, y'all. She came here for an understanding ear.

And people like you need to understand that normal people have absolutely NO IDEA how the medical field works. They go see their doctor, but they have no idea how the behind the scene stuff works. They are patients, not fellow medical professionals!

Lay people might know which hospital their doctor has privileges at, but would have no idea that they won't be seen by them.

You're probably one of those people that uses medical jargon in conversation just to show how superior you are, though.

 

[DawnCt1]

I do find it funny that she knew that herpes can be dangerous to a fetus, but didn't know enough that simply putting on a pair of gloves and washing her hands (which should be done before and after every patient, regardless) would help protect her.

If I had examined the child yes I know to put on gloves, and by the way I sanitize my hands before every patient I see. Yes this would “help” to protect me, but again, why not have 0% risk in this incidence

The only way to achieve 0% risk is to stay home, stay out of church, the stores, don't grocery shop, touch the shopping cart, open a door,etc. Your risk from simply walking into that room is probably not even measurable. If you had examined the child with gloves, it probably still wouldn't be measurable. In a clinical situation, even with infected patients you can control the risk. In the outside world? Not so much.

 

[mickaholic4077]

I will be honest and I can bet you won't like it.
As a Mother I think the way you handled it was horrible. I would have felt like the parent did as well and would have been very mad. If you don't want to see certain patients then it is up to YOU to make sure you don't see them. I don't need to keep track of your health. You do. I don't know how your practice runs but in every peds office that I have been in the patient file is outside the door of the exam room and the door is usually closed. The doctor grabs the file on the way in and may look at before entering the room. If you are so concerned then you should scan the files before you go into the room and if you don't want to see a certain patient you should pass them off. What you did (while I understand why) was not only insulting but unprofessional imo. In your quest to protect your own child (and again- I completely understand) you made a parent feel as if their own child was a leper. I don't care if you had a prior conversation with them or not. It is up to YOU to make sure you don't see patients that you feel are a risk to you. I would request to never see you again if I was a client at that practice.

I am sorry if this sounds harsh but you asked what people thought and this is how I feel about it.

What you said!!!

 

[southernbelle_amy]

So I guess, after reading your all's posts I have decided to quit my job and become a hermit, since I am sooo scared of every illness out there.

Dan Medix I suggest you join me before they get you too.

When I said I was getting ran over I basically was refering to Dis'ers.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Yikes OP! I'm sorry but I agree with you. What's with all the DIS'ers who don't have medical degrees lecturing her on medicine? I understand the other professionals may want to say something, but unless you have a medical degree.... nope, you can't be telling her "you SHOULD know.....".

Sounds like Grandma did get a word in when she asked about chicken pox. To me that sounds like she wanted you to take care of the kid if you had. Not her choice to make.

I would not have been offended.

If she feels I said something incorrect about herpes, she's free to correct me. Fact is, what I said is correct and it does not take a medical degree to know that.

 

[princess momma]

You've been asked to apologize to the patient, OP. Obviously something went wrong in this situation.

You could take the opportunity to take a step back and learn something from the situation, if you choose.

 

[Liberty Belle]

The OP doesn't have a medical degree either but she is charged with the responsibility of taking care of a sick child, and often that includes offering the family emotional support; not insulting them.

-I don’t have a medical degree, but I do have a medical license and obviously studied medicine. Secondly, as previously said I doubt that I am in serious risk, but if I were, it is a serious illness, and my supervising doctor and I had discussed this. It is not about universal precautions.

I have already had to be tested for 5th’s disease or parvovirus, during this pregnancy again due to exposure. Why would I want to have to keep having to worry about illnesses pregnant woman shouldn’t be around if there are other options. Something as innocent as 5th’s disease in most people can be detrimental for the unborn. (Fifth if contracted when pregnant or immuno-compromised (a weak immune system), complications may arise. Transmission of fifth disease from the mother to baby can have serious implications to the health of the baby)

Yes, of course. And pregnant teachers are exposed to Fifth's all the time. It goes with the territory. If you are that concerned, why are you not either taking precautions or taking a leave until after your child is born?

 

[lsyorke]

You all may have great providers, I hope you do. But unless it is a specialist, you all are all "naive" to think your doctor knows your life's history, and never makes a mistake.
I was seen at the OB/GYN today and my visit was less than 5 minutes from a person I had never seen before. I had to ask are you okay with this or that since last time I had a problem with it, it wasn't like she knew. Maybe she should find a new career too.

No, it's not naive to believe that a doctor would know a history on a patient, especially when it was previously discussed between the practitioners and there is a written medical record. That's their JOB! If your doctor isn't providing you with that basic respect, then time to find another doctor. But don't alter your practice because of what you have seen and not liked in someone elses practice.
I see patients all day long, having never seen them before. I protect myself using the standard precautions and have never had a problem, yes, even when pregnant.
If you are so concerned about being exposed to a disease, then it's time to go out on maternity leave. But realize that diseases are everywhere and in the medical office WITH full histories and current labs available is still the safest place to be.

 

[DawnCt1]

So I guess, after reading your all's posts I have decided to quit my job and become a hermit, since I am sooo scared of every illness out there.

Dan Medix I suggest you join me before they get you too.

When I said I was getting ran over I basically was refering to Dis'ers.

How do you think you should have handled it? What could you have done differently? I don't think it is unreasonable for you to reassess how you view those patients that you take care of? How do you see them? I think that colored your response to the patient and your reaction. If think it would be worthwhile for you to examine that.

 

[locolala]

I have yet to go to any doctor's visit; peds, family doc, ob-gyn, cardiologist where the doc, the PA, the NP or the nurse isn't glancing at the chart as they are walking in the room. Don't you have nurses that do the pre-visit, ie, temp and write down the basic questions for the doc? Why didn't the nurse inform you that the patient in room xyz was somebody on your not-to-see list?

Just a note that some docs have gone to all electronic charts. The military docs have them, they don't have a chart in hand when they walk in.

OP, I can understand both sides of the story. While I don't think an apology is needed, I think it might be a good idea to put a note in their cimputer file to not have you see the kid, if you can do that.

 

[southernbelle_amy]

You've been asked to apologize to the patient, OP. Obviously something went wrong in this situation.
You could take the opportunity to take a step back and learn something from the situation, if you choose.

-I apologized when leaving the room and tried to call her. And yes I was asked to apologize by my M.D, to “smooth” things over, but I don’t think she thinks I am in the wrong. Trust me she has apologized for things too. I am not trying to say I can’t learn from this situation. I was just highly upset about it.


Yes, of course. And pregnant teachers are exposed to Fifth's all the time. It goes with the territory. If you are that concerned, why are you not either taking precautions or taking a leave until after your child is born?

-I’m not that concerned, that is the point, I have to deal with it, I am just saying why is it so wrong, to try to deal with less if you can help it?

Some of you need to read the original post where I said I am exposed to all kinds of illness, without much hesitation all the time. These comments of well you should just go on maternity leave, are just snarky.