Not sure if I did right thing...situation at Drs office

[minniecarousel]

Without looking at other responses, you did the right thing in telling the doctor.

 

[dimimi]

You absolutely did the right thing!

 

[Keli]

I would have taken it as someone trying to offer me some help. Yeah, probably not very helpful to you but I agree with you, I don't think she meant any harm either.
So no, I wouldn't have said anything to her boss.
But then I'm kinda a live and let live type of person. Letting it roll off my back keeps me sane. Its just easier when you don't let the little stuff get you worked up.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

You absolutely did the right thing. You knew that her advice was not sound. But people often fall victim to the fallacy of authority. Somebody in a uniform at my doctor's office says it, so it must be true. That could be downright dangerous. What if she tells a diabetic to go off their meds and pray? Or a cancer patient? Or someone with severe depression? The doctor needs to know that his staff is engaging in this behavior because if something happens, that doctor is going to be the one who is sued.

 

[WL Fan]

This thread has bothered me since it appeared, probably because everyone seems to be thinking the same thing, and I'm on the other side for once.

Nope, wouldn't have even occurred to me to try and get the MA in trouble. Her suggestions wouldn't have even caused a blip on my radar, I probably would have been glad that someone cared enough about why I was at the doctor's office to discuss it with me.

I'm wondering if her suggestion had been different (ie. "I tried carrot juice and yoga, and that really worked for me") if it would have triggered the same negative response from everyone.

 

[cm8]

This thread has bothered me since it appeared, probably because everyone seems to be thinking the same thing, and I'm on the other side for once.

Nope, wouldn't have even occurred to me to try and get the MA in trouble. Her suggestions wouldn't have even caused a blip on my radar, I probably would have been glad that someone cared enough about why I was at the doctor's office to discuss it with me.

I'm wondering if her suggestion had been different (ie. "I tried carrot juice and yoga, and that really worked for me") if it would have triggered the same negative response from everyone.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

This thread has bothered me since it appeared, probably because everyone seems to be thinking the same thing, and I'm on the other side for once.

Nope, wouldn't have even occurred to me to try and get the MA in trouble. Her suggestions wouldn't have even caused a blip on my radar, I probably would have been glad that someone cared enough about why I was at the doctor's office to discuss it with me.

I'm wondering if her suggestion had been different (ie. "I tried carrot juice and yoga, and that really worked for me") if it would have triggered the same negative response from everyone.

So you think a suggestion of using carrot juice and yoga instead of medication is OK to say to a patient who is in crisis?

 

[Pugsley]

I'm wondering if her suggestion had been different (ie. "I tried carrot juice and yoga, and that really worked for me") if it would have triggered the same negative response from everyone.

I wouldn’t be quite as offended if she suggested something other than prayer because, obviously, religion is a very sensitive subject and the nurse had no idea what the OP’s religious beliefs were. If the OP was very religious she probably would have thought of using prayer herself. IMO it is wrong to push your religious beliefs on anyone, especially on a stranger in a professional setting. However, it would still be completely inappropriate for the nurse to suggest ANY alternative treatment because she would basically be contradicting and possibly driving business away from her employer. I think that doctor had every right to know that his employee was doing this, and the OP did the right thing.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

I agree, you did the right thing. What she did was wrong and demeaning to your condition. I don't know what I would have said to the nurse but I am sure I would have had a thousand conversations with her in my head, and I would have amazing responses.

EXACTLY. I suffer from severe depression, severe anxiety and a host of other mental illnesses that stem from the depression and anxiety. Living in the bible belt, I have had my share of "God will heal you if you ask him to". I just want to scream "NO, it's a chemical imbalance. This is a real, legit illness". But most everyone I know thinks I'm just not praying hard enough. And it is demeaning to your condition, thank you to the poster I quoted because they expressed it perfectly. It implies that this is an illness that we can control, or we just have the blues or it's not a real illness.
I know that studies have been done suggesting that people who are prayed for, often improve. I've prayed, but I've also accepted that I HAVE to have medication to live. I will never be "cured". No miracle is going to happen, just like no magic pill is going to take it all away.
I have serious doubts that this "nurse" has had real anxiety and depression issues for 20 years. I think she "thinks" she has. I have panic attacks that leave me practically unable to function. Same with depression. What she fails to understand is these illness can be fatal. I know people don't think of it like that, but look at the number of suicides in this country a year.
I'm so mad...it's just so typical.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

So you think a suggestion of using carrot juice and yoga instead of medication is OK to say to a patient who is in crisis?

Great question!
I mean, who knows if this nurse has even been diagnosed with depression? How can she go handing out advice like that? It's like someone who thinks they have had cancer for 20 years telling the patient to go off the meds and pray instead. And yes, I am comparing the two. They are both deadly illnesses. People underestimate how debilitating and dangerous mental illness is. Just because we don't look sick, doesn't mean we aren't.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

EXACTLY. I suffer from severe depression, severe anxiety and a host of other mental illnesses that stem from the depression and anxiety. Living in the bible belt, I have had my share of "God will heal you if you ask him to". I just want to scream "NO, it's a chemical imbalance. This is a real, legit illness". But most everyone I know thinks I'm just not praying hard enough. And it is demeaning to your condition, thank you to the poster I quoted because they expressed it perfectly. It implies that this is an illness that we can control, or we just have the blues or it's not a real illness.
I know that studies have been done suggesting that people who are prayed for, often improve. I've prayed, but I've also accepted that I HAVE to have medication to live. I will never be "cured". No miracle is going to happen, just like no magic pill is going to take it all away.
I have serious doubts that this "nurse" has had real anxiety and depression issues for 20 years. I think she "thinks" she has. I have panic attacks that leave me practically unable to function. Same with depression. What she fails to understand is these illness can be fatal. I know people don't think of it like that, but look at the number of suicides in this country a year.
I'm so mad...it's just so typical.

Yes.

My dd's friend's dad just committed suicide 2 weeks ago. He was suffering from severe depression. I have no clue as to what was going on in his treatment but to think an MA would suggest a course of treatment prior to his death is horrifying to me.

Think about it. This man was at the end of his life in his mind. A casual suggestion from a well meaning MA could have severe consequences.

He hung himself a week before his son was graduating from high school.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

Yes.

My dd's friend's dad just committed suicide 2 weeks ago. He was suffering from severe depression. I have no clue as to what was going on in his treatment but to think an MA would suggest a course of treatment prior to his death is horrifying to me.

Think about it. This man was at the end of his life in his mind. A casual suggestion from a well meaning MA could have severe consequences.

He hung himself a week before his son was graduating from high school.

I'm so sorry. Thank you for proving my point. I knew a man who was a boss of mine when I was a teenager. Beautiful house, good wife, two handsome young sons. When we returned from our last Disney trip and we had landed and were able to turn our cell phones on, we got the news that he took his kids to school that morning, came home, went to the basement, wrapped himself in a tarp and shot his heart.
And I know about suicide on a more personal level. I'll just leave it at that.

 

[BellvilleDad]

I would have taken it as someone trying to offer me some help. Yeah, probably not very helpful to you but I agree with you, I don't think she meant any harm either.
So no, I wouldn't have said anything to her boss.
But then I'm kinda a live and let live type of person. Letting it roll off my back keeps me sane. Its just easier when you don't let the little stuff get you worked up.

Agreed.

All this, "You absolutely did the right thing! Yahoo! I hope she got fired!" crap reinforces my declining hopes for basic humanity. Sure, she shouldn't have suggested the woman go off the meds. She made a mistake. "I was so offended! The nerve! I'll tell her boss, that'll teach her to make a mistake when speaking thus to me!"

 

[design_mom]

Agreed.

All this, "You absolutely did the right thing! Yahoo! I hope she got fired!" crap reinforces my declining hopes for basic humanity. Sure, she shouldn't have suggested the woman go off the meds. She made a mistake. "I was so offended! The nerve! I'll tell her boss, that'll teach her to make a mistake when speaking thus to me!"

I don't know that you've given a fair assessment. I haven't seen many people who said they hope the nurse got fired. I know I don't, but I do think someone needs to tell the nurse that she made a mistake and that she must stop offering advice to patients. Since it obviously made the OP very uncomfortable, I think she was right to bring it up to the doctor, rather than just let it slide, so he can address proper patient interactions with his staff.

And, for the record, in the situation that the OP was in, I think I would have found any "alternative therapies" mentioned by the nurse to be a poor call, whether it was the power of prayer, yoga and carrot juice, or chiropractics. They might be fine options -- but in the situation, the nurse was using private info in a way that wasn't part of her job. I would feel the same way if the bank teller saw my bank account balance and suggested a "great investment" that her brother-in-law told her about. It's just not appropriate, regardless of the value of the tip.

 

[Arielle22]

EXACTLY. I suffer from severe depression, severe anxiety and a host of other mental illnesses that stem from the depression and anxiety. Living in the bible belt, I have had my share of "God will heal you if you ask him to". I just want to scream "NO, it's a chemical imbalance. This is a real, legit illness". But most everyone I know thinks I'm just not praying hard enough. And it is demeaning to your condition, thank you to the poster I quoted because they expressed it perfectly. It implies that this is an illness that we can control, or we just have the blues or it's not a real illness.
I know that studies have been done suggesting that people who are prayed for, often improve. I've prayed, but I've also accepted that I HAVE to have medication to live. I will never be "cured". No miracle is going to happen, just like no magic pill is going to take it all away.
I have serious doubts that this "nurse" has had real anxiety and depression issues for 20 years. I think she "thinks" she has. I have panic attacks that leave me practically unable to function. Same with depression. What she fails to understand is these illness can be fatal. I know people don't think of it like that, but look at the number of suicides in this country a year.
I'm so mad...it's just so typical.

My thought is that God has gifted doctors with the ability to treat others' illnesses. So by going to a doctor who can help you, God has answered your prayers.

 

[npmommie]

This thread has bothered me since it appeared, probably because everyone seems to be thinking the same thing, and I'm on the other side for once.

Nope, wouldn't have even occurred to me to try and get the MA in trouble. Her suggestions wouldn't have even caused a blip on my radar, I probably would have been glad that someone cared enough about why I was at the doctor's office to discuss it with me.

I'm wondering if her suggestion had been different (ie. "I tried carrot juice and yoga, and that really worked for me") if it would have triggered the same negative response from everyone.

I don't think she was trying to get the MA in trouble, it made her uncomfortable and bottom line she is at her doctor to get HELP from him regarding her illness, she should not be made to feel she is making the wrong choice by taking medication for a very real disease
the MA may not have true anxiety or panic attacks, I work in psych and I have patients with very very real panic attacks very real anxiety that if I took them off their meds, or if they stopped taking them, they would be most likely admitted to inpatient care

Agreed.

All this, "You absolutely did the right thing! Yahoo! I hope she got fired!" crap reinforces my declining hopes for basic humanity. Sure, she shouldn't have suggested the woman go off the meds. She made a mistake. "I was so offended! The nerve! I'll tell her boss, that'll teach her to make a mistake when speaking thus to me!"

I don't think this is just a mistake, its an error in judgment from someone working in a medical office.
it is not appropriate.


when I used to work in Primary care, I would also see the urgent care patients, well we had a secretary that thought herself a health care provider also, she would talk to these people on the phone telling them when they came in what I would do for them.
then they would get mad if they came and for instance I didn't prescribe them an antibiotic because "sally" said you would give me a prescirption.
I had to tell her to stop doing that because number one it is not her place, number two I have to diagnose them first then treat them.
it was exasperating for me, it happened almost everyday, and I finally had to say something, I was new to the practice, she had worked with this doctor for a long time.

 

[BellvilleDad]

I don't know that you've given a fair assessment. I haven't seen many people who said they hope the nurse got fired. I know I don't, but I do think someone needs to tell the nurse that she made a mistake and that she must stop offering advice to patients. Since it obviously made the OP very uncomfortable, I think she was right to bring it up to the doctor, rather than just let it slide, so he can address proper patient interactions with his staff.

You may be right, I might've been unfair in my assessment. So might they other posters, however? Who knows.

And, for the record, in the situation that the OP was in, I think I would have found any "alternative therapies" mentioned by the nurse to be a poor call, whether it was the power of prayer, yoga and carrot juice, or chiropractics. They might be fine options -- but in the situation, the nurse was using private info in a way that wasn't part of her job. I would feel the same way if the bank teller saw my bank account balance and suggested a "great investment" that her brother-in-law told her about. It's just not appropriate, regardless of the value of the tip.

Again, agreed. It was inappropriate. It wasn't mean-spirited, flippin'-off, name-calling. It was just inappropriate. So tell her, "thanks, but no thanks" and move on.

That's just me, though. I'm not particularly vindictive, or out for reparations when wronged in this manner.

 

[happybratpack]

Wow, I'm the OP and thank you to everyone for the replies. I was shocked to come back and see so many.

I've been thinking about it and am happy that I did decide to mention it. Otherwise it would have been nagging at the back of my mind I think.

That's just me, though. I'm not particularly vindictive, or out for reparations when wronged in this manner.

I find this offensive. Neither am I, otherwise why would I have even been giving this a second thought? I don't feel "wronged", I felt it was an inappropriate situation that needed to be addressed. Like some other posters mentioned, what if I was a Cancer patient and she suggested prayer instead of chemo? Would that make it serious enough to address?

What if I were some easily influenced person who decided to just "stop my meds" to pray (or stand on my head holding my breath drinking carrot juice if that had been the advice) and there were dire consequences because someone in a position of "authority" at the doctors office told me to?

I don't wish for anyone to lose their job, but I rely on my doctor and his staff to help me with my medical problems. I do not go there for spiritual guidance or holistic answers, I go to have a serious medical issue treated.

 

[flamingglobessigmund]

You did the right thing to say something.
What works for one person does not necessarily work for another.

 

[MichelleVW]

You may be right, I might've been unfair in my assessment. So might they other posters, however? Who knows.



Again, agreed. It was inappropriate. It wasn't mean-spirited, flippin'-off, name-calling. It was just inappropriate. So tell her, "thanks, but no thanks" and move on.

That's just me, though. I'm not particularly vindictive, or out for reparations when wronged in this manner.

I know the OP and yep, you are pretty much wrong in your assessment. She is a really nice, sweet and caring person and I'm sure she didn't want to just get someone in trouble. It was totally inappropriate advice and the doctor should know what his assistants are telling people.