Perceptions

[mtthwscott1]

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So I'm working today and I strike up a conversation with a customer about her husband... apparently he is a fifty-something MD and she is a young registered nurse. When I asked initially if he was an MD or DO, the RN looked at me like I was crazy... "An MD, of course." the RN says.

Anyhow, she then goes on to tell me that DOs only get the "crazy"/psychotic, alternative medicine favoring type of people... and to steer clear of the DO profession (I told her I was going to be a physician)... So I'm thinking WOW, here is a medical professional making a huge generalization that is entirely false. I even told her, "no, I don't want to be a psychiatrist." ... just to play along and after that she still persisted like that was what DOs attract... crazy people... as if it even worked that way.

...

Okay, I'm done venting, thanks for listening -- haha.


Cheers.

 

[112258]

I usually chalk these stories up to people who just haven't been exposed to it, not their fault. Me/my family/friends had no idea what a D.O. was until a few years ago, so its expected for people to react that way.

But a nurse....that IS kinda weird.

 

[jkhamlin]

So I'm working today and I strike up a conversation with a customer about her husband... apparently he is a fifty-something MD and she is a young registered nurse.

Stop right there. That is enough to know that she is probably not too interested in anything other than perception. The funny thing is that she still has to listen to DO's in her job, and call them "doctor."

 

[bkpa2med]

Not for nothing, most nurses are idiots and ignorant sorry to say. The really good nurses always stand out and usually advance in their field as NP's or CRNA's.

 

[jkhamlin]

Not for nothing, most nurses are idiots and ignorant sorry to say. The really good nurses always stand out and usually advance in their field as NP's or CRNA's.

I didn't want to start that, because someone will surely get all offended, but you are kind of right. Trust me, I work with nurses all day long in my job. It's frightening.

 

[iwilldlvr]

I have run across my fair share of ignorant and/or stupid nurses. I'm not sure how they got the degree. I know there are plenty that are smart and know their stuff, but there are so many that don't. It's just scary to think how much responsibility that even the dumb ones get. Unfortunately, the dumb ones stand out more than the smart ones.

Sounds like that one just married her old doc to brag and make up for her lack of self-esteem (assumption). Just come back in a few years and laugh in her face and make her call you Dr.!

 

[Vix206]

my boyfriend's mother is an esteemed oncology nurse who's had lots of experience in the field. She supports my decision to become a DO and has been treated by both DOs and MDs. She totally comprehends the fact that the letters at the end of your name do not indicate the quality of care you will provide - your actions do.

so next time, tell that nurse to use some of her husband's money to buy herself a brain.

 

[MahlerROCKS]

Don't worry about it. I've shadowed three DO's (FP, GI and derm), and when the doctors have stepped out of the exam room temporarily and I'm left with the patients, I have started conversations with them. They ask me about applying to med school, and why I am shadowing the doctor. Anyhow, whenever I mention that I am shadowing the doctor because I am interested in osteopathic medicine, they all look at me incredulously (with the exception of one patient) because none of them have ever heard of osteopathic medicine. They were not seeing the doctor because they had an interest in osteopathic medicine, but because they were recommend by their friends and family or their primary care physician. Very few people have heard of osteopathic medicine, and even fewer care; there will always be idiots, but as long as you are a competent doctor and can earn the respect of your nurses and colleagues, you'll be fine.

 

[Nate]

Please don’t bash other professionals on the forums

 

[SamaraMorgan]

.

 

[burke99]

I would like to say that in NY there are alot of DO's that run private practices and that my aunt, grandmother, and even father all go to separate practices yet all are owned by DO's. They didn't even know the difference between MD and DO. My point is that most people don't even know! They just want to see someone in a white coat diagnose their illnesses.

 

[sunnyjohn]

Please don’t bash other professionals on the forums

Thank you Nate.

I was just about to say that. C'mon people, you will be working with other health professionals to provide complete care to your patients. They deserve your respect as much as you deserve theirs.

Yep, they sure do.

 

[sunnyjohn]

I don't normally defend people who are clearly ignorant, but let me suggest another interpretation of the nurse in the OP's story.

I'm guessing she confused a DO with a "Naturopath". Probably not an uncommon error when you're sort of unfamiliar with the whole Osteopathic thing. That makes a little more sense when you look at how she talked about alternative treatments.

She probably did confuse DO's with Naturopath. I had no idea what a DO was unitil I met an awesome OBGYN doc in the OR. He had his own practice and everyone said he was the nicest man they'd ever met. All the nurses in that OR had used him during their pregnancies or refered friends/relatives to him. I loved working in his OR as a scrub tech in training as he always took time out to teach. 👍

How old was she?

 

[MossPoh]

I don't normally defend people who are clearly ignorant, but let me suggest another interpretation of the nurse in the OP's story.

I'm guessing she confused a DO with a "Naturopath". Probably not an uncommon error when you're sort of unfamiliar with the whole Osteopathic thing. That makes a little more sense when you look at how she talked about alternative treatments.

I think she was basing her opinion on the old perception of DOs.....even if she is younger. Some older MDs still have this perception of DOs being inferior (mainly because they didn't have the resources that most allopathic schools had.), also there seems to be an increased trend with DOs that utilize alternative medicine.... I know more DOs that are into spirituality and what not than MDs. Which, I don't think is a bad thing but when you look back in the past....it was the dirty hippy type that did that and not the doctor. I've given up on being angry at ignorant comments. I don't think her profession really matters....everyone has stereotypes and they usually get them from their one or two sources. In this case probably her hubby.😛

 

[jkhamlin]

I was just about to say that. C'mon people, you will be working with other health professionals to provide complete care to your patients. They deserve your respect as much as you deserve theirs.

You don't work in healthcare yet, do you?

 

[SamaraMorgan]

.

 

[jkhamlin]

I do; don't be condescending.

Not being condescending. I just don't think you should criticize us for stating our experiences in health care. It is fine for Nate to ask us not to bash other professions, but you started out with the condescension.

 

[SamaraMorgan]

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