What Doctors Really Think
There was an interesting survey done where doctores could talk about their pet-peeves as it relates to their patients. Here are a couple that I found intereststing:
Your doctor generally knows more than a website. I have patients with whom I spend enormous amounts of time, explaining things and coming up with a treatment strategy. Then I get e-mails a few days later, saying they were looking at this website that says something completely different and wacky, and they want to do that. To which I want to say (but I don’t), “So why don’t you get the website to take over your care?”
–Family, MD
I know that Reader’s Digest recommends bringing in a complete list of all your symptoms, but every time you do, it only reinforces my desire to quit this profession.
–Family, MD
To me I think the above two statements probably mean the person should consider a new profession.
Now here are a couple I agree with:
One of the things that bug me is people who leave their cell phones on. I’m running on a very tight schedule, and I want to spend as much time with patients as I possibly can. Use that time to get the information and the process you need. Please don’t answer the cell.
–pain specialist, New York City
I wish patients would take more responsibility for their own health and stop relying on me to bail them out of their own problems.
–ER physician, Colorado Springs, Colorado