Website about a pathologist who left the field

[WEBB PINKERTON]

I probably would have at least given a few months notice...

http://storiform.com/2014/07/26/i-bailed-on-my-medical-practice/

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[Maryjane52]

Giving notice prevents burning bridges. I gave notice for retirement in April but still hope for some locums work in the future. Otherwise I can fully relate to this post, I am just worn out.

 

[LADoc00]

There are times when burning bridges is EXACTLY the intended purpose. I have seen, even as recently as last month, where a medical director walked off the job and it caused such chaos that the entire pathology group with the practice contract was terminated by the hospital near instantly. This WAS the very intent of the pathologist who left, with no notice.

Walking off a job and leaving a burning wreck is sometimes the only leverage a pathologist has these days.

Sad but true....it's a Jungle out there. And unfortunately it's a Jungle in Vietnam circa 1968 with V.C., tigers, booby traps and all sorts of crap!

 

[Pathwrath]

I can certainly sympathize with the stress the poster felt leading up to finally quitting pathology. Good luck!

It is interesting that it was the "bluster" or lack thereof that did finally him in, though. Life-and-death diagnoses and the required bull$hitting that goes with them are not even in my top ten. Hospital and hospital system administrators, awesomely stupid venal bureaucrats private and public--now THAT will kill you.

 

[gbwillner]

There are times when burning bridges is EXACTLY the intended purpose. I have seen, even as recently as last month, where a medical director walked off the job and it caused such chaos that the entire pathology group with the practice contract was terminated by the hospital near instantly. This WAS the very intent of the pathologist who left, with no notice.

Walking off a job and leaving a burning wreck is sometimes the only leverage a pathologist has these days.

Sad but true....it's a Jungle out there. And unfortunately it's a Jungle in Vietnam circa 1968 with V.C., tigers, booby traps and all sorts of crap!

I see how the threat is leverage- was this just carrying through with a threat? 'Cause once you walk out your leverage is gone (unless the hospital picked up the medical director directly).

 

[LADoc00]

I see how the threat is leverage- was this just carrying through with a threat? 'Cause once you walk out your leverage is gone (unless the hospital picked up the medical director directly).

Of course. Your leverage is gone, the leverage is your threat. But when the pathology practice itself loses a "whale contract" to a competitor because they screwed you over which I literally just witnessed near me, your Vengeance is achieved...

That's why I treat people with 100% fairness. A pathologist with no hope and nothing to lose is a dangerous weapon.

 

[WEBB PINKERTON]

Physicians shouldn't walk off the job. If you have any kind of a conscience at all, you would give at least a 3 month notice no matter the situation. This isn't a job at walmart, although our field has pretty much become commoditized. It's getting harder and harder to tell the difference.

I once saw an oncologist give a two week notice. That is a nice way to treat your patients.

 

[LADoc00]

Physicians shouldn't walk off the job. If you have any kind of a conscience at all, you would give at least a 3 month notice no matter the situation. This isn't a job at walmart, although our field has pretty much become commoditized. It's getting harder and harder to tell the difference.

I once saw an oncologist give a two week notice. That is a nice way to treat your patients.

That's quaint. I wish this was this case as well Webb. Perhaps it is in Iowa?? No one has respect for anything these days so I have hard time expecting pathologists to.

And the guy I know literally walked into work and said this is my last day, similar to the original post (but definitely not the same individual).

Physicians have no greater responsibility to institutions, companies and patients than nurses, administrators, airline pilots, lawyers etc etc.

We need to collectively get over our absurd messiah complex beat into us in medical school by professional charlatans where as physicians somehow we need to "hang upon a cross" for the sake of the patients and instead realize the reality that an unhappy and depressed physician does NO ONE good and fix the situation (and sometimes that means leave in a hurry before you hurt someone or yourself!).

Folks if you are grappling with a breakdown of some type which many pathologists often do, most certainly do NOT wait 3 months to give notice...

 

[yaah]

Funny, I would consider showing up and saying "this is my last day" as more indicative of a messiah or God complex than doing the ethical thing and giving at least some notice. But taking a leave because you are not fit to work is a different story. If that leave turns permanent, so be it.

In general though I tend to agree that doctors are continuously taking advantage of by administrators and other health care executives because of their ethics and devotion. Imagine if physicians billed by the hour like other professionals (I understand some things are billed by time, but it isn't the dominant method).

 

[oldfatman]

Better to not burn bridges, but I have seen a few doctors who were fired without warning and escorted to the door by these same admins you wish to protect with your "notices".

 

[coroner]

I doubt this guy would have the same sort of epiphany if he wasn’t 58 y.o. after having had a 26 yr. career. Even at a modest income for a pathologist, he should have a couple of million in the bank after taxes. This hardly qualifies as a moment of self-actualization, that he alludes to. More like an early retirement.

In general, yes, it’s better to not burn bridges. But if you were wronged and feel that it is a just course of action, then you better make sure it’s not going to come back and bite you...