For wanting to be a Doc, they really p* me off sometimes

[wholeheartedly]

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Obviously from the title, this is kind of a pointless venting thread so read or don't accordingly. I've just been finding that some of my interactions with docs lately as a patient make me really dislike some docs, to the point where it occasionally makes me question wanting to be one. (despite my love of patient interaction and medical science). Although it'll probably be beneficial long term, as I've definitely seen some shining examples of how not to treat patients, and the excellent docs really stand out in my mind.

So yeah, being a nontrad can be a challenge, having a chronic med issue can be a challenge, life is a challenge. Still, can't see myself heading anything other direction than where I'm headed 😎

Anyone else have a perspective as a patient that's sort of influenced your thoughts on choosing this field one way or another?

 

[ShyRem]

I've discovered many physicians and med students have never been a patient in the hospital bed. It gives a totally different experience and flavor to your treatment. I'd like to think better, but I'm biased. I've fired more doctors than I've kept and been a patient for years in the hospital. It definitely colors my personal interactions but interestingly gives me a significant impatience for people who abuse the system. And it's funny how many patients don't like doctors. I tell them I agree with them - I hate doctors. And I try very hard not to be that kind of doctor.

There's a book called "the doctor" about a physician who becomes a patient and how it changes him and his care. It ought to be mandatory reading for all med students, but I think the message would be lost on them.

 

[CookDeRosa]

Obviously from the title, this is kind of a pointless venting thread so read or don't accordingly. I've just been finding that some of my interactions with docs lately as a patient make me really dislike some docs, to the point where it occasionally makes me question wanting to be one. (despite my love of patient interaction and medical science). Although it'll probably be beneficial long term, as I've definitely seen some shining examples of how not to treat patients, and the excellent docs really stand out in my mind.

So yeah, being a nontrad can be a challenge, having a chronic med issue can be a challenge, life is a challenge. Still, can't see myself heading anything other direction than where I'm headed 😎

Anyone else have a perspective as a patient that's sort of influenced your thoughts on choosing this field one way or another?

Sure!! You don't get to be 40 without a lot of exposure to doctors...well, maybe you do but I didn't! I think you are wise, take the good and leave the rest. Let the "bad doc" memories stay in the back of your head for when you become a doctor, that's all you can do.
I read a great book last semester for a class called The Anatomy of Hope. Nice read, gives good insight and shows the vast personalities you'll see as a young med student as well as modeling ways to respond to patients facing grim outcomes. The author takes you from his med school days into his current practice (nearing retirement) and shares his experiences with some nice, and not so nice doctors. Nice light read. I suggest it.

 

[ymcMD]

Obviously from the title, this is kind of a pointless venting thread so read or don't accordingly. I've just been finding that some of my interactions with docs lately as a patient make me really dislike some docs, to the point where it occasionally makes me question wanting to be one. (despite my love of patient interaction and medical science). Although it'll probably be beneficial long term, as I've definitely seen some shining examples of how not to treat patients, and the excellent docs really stand out in my mind.

So yeah, being a nontrad can be a challenge, having a chronic med issue can be a challenge, life is a challenge. Still, can't see myself heading anything other direction than where I'm headed 😎

Anyone else have a perspective as a patient that's sort of influenced your thoughts on choosing this field one way or another?

I sure understand what you mean. There are doctors that make you wonder what in the world made them go into medicine because it sure doesn't look like they give a damn about their patients. However, there are another bunch of them who are truly an inspiration to us pre-meds and other doctors alike. So I agree that you have to take the good with the bad and just take those experiences as shining examples of how NOT to treat your future patients.

Shy..can you tell me the author of "The Doctor"...I am always interested in reading these kinds of books.

Also, "Angels in the E.R" is another great easy read. It portrays what it is to truly care for your patients and a true love for medicine. Also, it gives us an insight into the BIG impact nurses have, and how much a great dynamic between the doctor and nurses makes a hugeeee difference in the patient care.

 

[Crelal]

I have been keeping mental note of the things that I never want to do/say to a patient.

Like the doc in Urgent Care who, when I was there with horrible cough/cold x3 weeks, misdiagnosed me (I had pneumonia, easily picked up by a resident the next day, and I needed to be hospitalized since I was pregnant- he said it was a simple cough and it would go away, that I hadn't given it enough time to clear on its own). Not only did he misdiagnose the pneumonia, but he got irritated when I had the nerve to ask him to hold on for two seconds and asked my 3 year old to extract her entire finger from her nose. Literally 1.5 seconds and I turned back to him- he was like "Are you ready to LISTEN to ME now?" in the most obviously annoyed voice ever. Total example of what not to do.

Then there is the other list- the things I want to do/say when working with patients.

And finally, there is the part of me who hopes as I hit third year, residency, and am practicing that I can keep those lists in mind, and not allow the politics/lack of sleep/frustration with disparities to overtake my desire to be a good physician. Because I am sure even the guy at Urgent Care wanted to be that at one point. 😉

 

[shinee]

when you become a doctor, be the change you want to see 🙂

i think that is the best thing anybody can do.

 

[CookDeRosa]

when you become a doctor, be the change you want to see 🙂

i think that is the best thing anybody can do.

I like that 😀

 

[EHCMD]

I like that 😀

I do too! 🙂

Hmmm...where have I heard that before? 😀

 

[MCAT guy]

According to the essays they make you write to gain admission, you'd think that doctors were the most altruistic, ethical, compassionate, and virtuous people on earth.

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

"Be the change you want to see in the world" Mahatma Ghandi

Yes, I too have had a chronic condition, and decided that certain doctors aren't worth my time or money. I hope that those interactions, and the ones with doctors I consider great will mold my ability to be what patients will consider a great doctor. I however, have one thing against me, and that is that I expect people to take personal responsibility for their actions. There are many health conditions caused by people choosing to do certain things... it isn't forced upon them... Soo... we'll see... However, yes, I agree... and I think it will help you in the end

 

[student1799]

I've been there too. I have a rare chronic condition that took 3 years to get diagnosed, because my doctor didn't believe the set of symptoms I reported. He insisted that it must have been "all in my head." Then, when I had a bad flare-up and FINALLY looked like a train wreck [the necessary condition for being taken seriously], he referred me to a specialist. That guy diagnosed me in 5 minutes, based on my history.

I don't blame doctor #1 for not recognizing what was wrong with me (after all, it's rare, so the odds were pretty high he'd never seen it even once), but I DO take issue with his attitude that my symptoms couldn't be "real" because they were unfamiliar. (Now that I'm in med school, I've seen other doctors do this to patients right in front of me.) As far as I'm concerned, the symptoms are the symptoms--that's non-negotiable. You may not have a diagnosis, but in that case, you should say to the patient,"I haven't seen anything quite like this before, and I'm afraid I don't know how to explain it. But I'll do my best to find out."

The best doctors I've ever known are generally quite honest with the patient when they don't know something. I would admire and trust a doctor who dealt with me that way, and I hope to do the same with my own patients.

 

[princekc]

when you become a doctor, be the change you want to see 🙂

i think that is the best thing anybody can do.

Well said!

 

[wholeheartedly]

well.... dr. has been given the boot. only regret now is having waited so long. thanks for the insight folks, and the book rec. I read pretty much anything I can get my hands.

 

[ExPsychonaut]

Hehe, well it is my personal opinion that all doctors should be forced to be CNAs (those lowly orderlies) for a year before they interact within the hospital. So, I completely understand what you are saying here.

A lot of students are well taken care of (upper class), young and not very worldly. They have volunteered at a hospital or shadowed someone but they've never been in a bed scared for their lives or the lives of their loved ones. Even as a CNA you might not do a lot of diagnosing or wrack your brain, but you interact with the same person a hundred times before the end of a shift. You build a connection and I was lucky enough to start off with a wonderful family-like atmosphere in the nursing homes.

At the hospital we dealt with a good number of interns and residents that didn't yet understand that we were not going to fall onto their feet in praise of their superiority (not all of course, most were just exhausted). Our work needs to get done too and unless your superior mind can find some way to replace us, you can get out of the way XP

It is sad when students forget that their patients are people... or their nursing staff. I only hope most will learn at some point in their journey that their patients have needs outside of just a prescription. And everyone loves a doctor that respects a patient. Especially one who remembers being a patient.

 

[jl lin]

Here it is. Two reasons a number of people pursue medicine. One, some grandiose sense of respect, title, prestige, honor....unfreaken believable. Second, decent income....mostly I find it laughable that they really believe on some level it's about other people elevating them and bestowing all the laud. There is a rude awakening coming for those folks...and many become jaded and then focus on the income. I am a straight shooter . The great docs don't know or care about the honor or greatness or focusing on the great toys...or trophy this or that....and the don't focus on having their cake and eating it too. And they work way more hours than they counted on...and are good to all that work w them. They definitely don't need their egos stroked