Dr. Malpani offers some insight:
For one thing, doctors in hospitals are very busy and they often just don’t have time for the common pleasantries which we take for granted in our daily life. Many of them are brusque and down-to-earth because they need to get on with their serious job of taking care of their patients, and they simply cannot afford to chit-chat with patients or their relatives. This is why they put on a shield which protects them from having to spend too much time with one patient. They cultivate an aura of superiority and aloofness to allow themselves to accomplish their tasks effectively.They are usually accompanied by a retinue of assistants and juniors – and they often spend more time talking to them than to patients. Since nurses and juniors are deferential and respectful, patients are expected to toe the line and follow suit.
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{ 10 comments }
I’ve never seen so many excuses for being an ass.
“I’ve never seen so many excuses for being an ass.”
Oh C’Mon, he’s an in vitro fertilization specialist, he’s allowed to act that way, he gets respect and doesn’t get shit upon like us Internists and ER Docs.
I had a laparscopic cholecystectomy, a few years ago. Both in his office and at the hospital, when this fine doctor was talking to me, he was really present with me. When he was ready to move on to the next patient, he stood up, held out his hand, and took his leave. He talked with my husband right after surgery, and came across the same way. He gave no indication of being in a hurry. When they had finished the necessary conversation, he took off on a dead run, which my husband took to be his modus operandi. Be present with the patient, spouse, etc., and then run like heck!
The last time I saw him, he shook my hand and said, “Remember–for the best health, stay away from surgeons.”
The last I heard of him, he took four months from his family and his practice to go help out in Iraq. I think he’s a colonel in the Reserves.
That’s bullshit. You don’t have to be an ass to avoid wasting time on unnessecary conversation. There are tactful ways of accomplishing the same goal.
This whole post is a money shot.
Instead of posting a long-winded comment, I’ll simply say…
How True.
“I’ve never seen so many excuses for being an ass. “
Be a doctor in this enviroment, and you’ll become an ass too. Even nurses, the number cherished trusted profession, become asses when they are under too much pressure.
So ass, yes many are. But it isn’t a eprsonality trnasplant that will fix this. It’s giving MDs more time with patients. Which means, reimburse for time and complexity, not scalpels and tubes.
Ash
As a fellow physician I am quite disappointed regarding the above “insights”. Perhaps if you are too busy to oblige us with your pleasantries then you should evaluate your workload. Can you not handle your schedule? Many physicians AND other medical staff are quite busy most of the time but they are decent and respectful. Seems somebody has forgotten his manners. I’m ashamed at your sad attempt to explain you arrogance and would gladly show you how a “Professional” treats other human beings.
If you think doctors are busy, try being a nurse and not having a choice if you are “nice” or not!
Exactly April. No one needs to be rude, there is no excuse for it. And as April just pointed out, try being a nurse for a day. A nurse also has a huge body of knowledge, and not only deals with patients, students, residents, visitors, physicians, etc, but is also overworked and of course just has to get on with the serious task of taking care of all of their patients.
Dr. Malpani you said more about yourself than you realize and it didn’t shine you in a very flattering light.
Your excuses for rude physicians is just that – an excuse for the inexcusable.
Having dealt with several extremely rude doctors in my life, I made the decision recently not to stand for it anymore, especially after the last one told me to basically “suck it up” when I was in extreme pain, and I can take a lot of pain.
No one really stands up to them, and the next time, no matter how much pain I’m in, the doctor is getting a fist in the mouth. These crybaby college boy sissies need to learn some manners! They’re not running into burning buildings for a living like I used to! Ever met a rude fireman?
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