Why are so many docs jerks?

[StritchMD2011]

Just a little rant here... I was done volunteering at Loyola today and was heading home. While I was waiting for the elevators a doc (cardio thorasic surgeon) walked up and was waiting for the same elevator. To make conversation, I jokingly said, "the elevators are slow today." This guy just gives me a dirty look and says "They always are....." He completely gave off the "I'm too good to talk to you" vibe. I realize there's always the chance he had a bad day or lost a patient, but why is it such a trend that many doctors seem to be such a-holes? There are tons of very personable doctors, yet there seem to be a large majority at the other end. Can anyone shed some light on this phenomenon?

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[lola]

it's only the male doctors

 

[DarkChild]

yup... I dont really trust doctors... which is why I'm going to be one. That way me, my family and the folks close to me, will be safe.
No, I'm not kidding.
Yes, I might have a problem.

 

[tBw]

look at the premeds you know. are all of them nice people?

Now take them and put them through one of the most ego-challenging, humbling, rigorous trainings known, and even after that deprive them of sleep, make them work 70 hours a week, face often ungrateful patients, face death every day, force them to look into their own failings and mortality, give them a divorce, then sue their ass because they couldn't be God.

Now how nice are the ones who even started out okay?

 

[gogiants]

though i don't doubt there are plenty of just plain cocky and not so friendly physician there also are probably even more overworked, stressed out ones. its hard to tell the difference between a mean doc and one who's just had a bad and very long day. i think the nature of the job can just bring out the worst sometimes. i can only imagine how i might act after my first 12-24 hour shift.

 

[souljah1]

the same reason why most people are.

 

[TechMan]

I don't know, but what you said that he said doesn't exactly strike me as sounding like an a-hole.

 

[BEETLEVH]

You know something, you're very right. A lot of docs really are jerks. I don't think it would be fair to discount the amount of stress that is placed upon their shoulders, yet at the same time it would be very ignorant on their part to forget that they weren't always "gods". Also, there is probably a large contingent of those docs whose jerk-like disposition predates med school. I know a few intelligent premeds who will almost definately become docs someday, somewhere, and I can tell you one thing... they're well on their way to joining the ranks of the good docs no one likes. I know one thing, it is outside the bounds of my personality to EVER become like that (if I make it there, that is...).

 

[Saluki]

I agree with a previous poster who said that going through such a competitive process can weed out the more humble folks, but really I think it is mainly a personality thing. Most surgeons although I would not necessarily call them cocky, my orthopedic surgeon was very kind to me tend to be less people oriented. I talked to a professor at Stanford who taught pediatrics this summer, and although I was merely a humble freshman in college working at summer camp he was incredibly nice to me. I think that as a whole, you're going to find pediatricians and family practicioners are friendly and people oriented, because that's what you need in those specialties!
(I'd also just like to say that primary care is the way to go!

 

[Diogenes]

Maybe he just didn't want to make inane small-talk with someone he doesn't know and may never see again. Add to that that he is at WORK, let alone a stressful job, and maybe you can see why he acted the way he did. I'd probably react as he did -- and I don't think it qualifies as being a jerk.

 

[Iron Horse]

Hey Carbon, is that Grace Kelly?

 

[UCLA2000]

..because they can be?

 

[gramcracker]

Two parts:

1) There are nice surgeons, but (stereo)typically, there are lots of dingus holier-and-better-than-thou surgeons, too.

2) As my boss (a 79-year-old still-practicing physician) tells me, medical school is the best behavior modification program in the world. You're taught to think a certain way, expect certain things, live with a certain mindset. Like other posters have said, you put doctors through the hell we're about to be put through, and they come to feel like they 'deserve' respect. Just remind yourself, you don't want to turn out like the dinguses. Keep that in mind, treat people with respect, kindess, and appreciation, and you should make it.

 

[BobbyDylanFan]

Originally posted by Diogenes
Maybe he just didn't want to make inane small-talk with someone he doesn't know and may never see again. Add to that that he is at WORK, let alone a stressful job, and maybe you can see why he acted the way he did. I'd probably react as he did -- and I don't think it qualifies as being a jerk.

I don't think the OP was looking for like a huge small talk conversation but more so just to be recognized. I agree, some docs I have worked for (I was a medical assistant through the AmeriCorps program and had the opportunity to work with many docs and residents within one health center) could be very condescending. These people would treat me just as a medical assistant who was not in the "med club" and didn't deserve to learn medicine. And yes, some that I didn't know too well (maybe worked with them a couple times) usually wouldn't even recognize me. On the other hand, I have worked for a few awesome, down to earth docs that have been very helpful in advancing my education by giving me great opportunities to view surgeries that some med students might not even see, talk with patients about the medications they are taking (i am a pharmacology /toxicology major), etc. So as someone else said, I guess there are some out there that look at a pre-med and see the opportunity it presents and some look and see a deer in headlights.

 

[galen]

I played doubles tennis (league) for a while with an MD for my partner. As for as I know he was the only MD in the club. He was so competitive that he often cheated and called opponents balls out when I was sure they were in. It was embarrassing to be his partner...Other than that he was okay. I really think that having to get into & thru med school filters out a lot of easy going, non-competitive people.

Ive also met a lot of MDs and orthop surgeons from point of view of a pt and hosp worker. Id say roughly a third were arrogant jerks with a kiss my a** attitude, another third were so-so, and the other third were really nice people--who were well-liked by their pts and their staff...

 

[SunnyS81]

Are you really surprised about the attitudes of doctors?

Now, this will offend a ton of you, but a decent chunk of people I meet at interviews from other schools I can't STAND at ALL! I usually try to make conversation with the people at the school that day, but with some people I seem to have to PROVE myself worthy of their conversation. I could give you a long list of crappy things people have said, but I don't feel like reliving my hate.

On top of that, add the lifestyle of a doctor. Some of these guys are getting called at 3am or having to stay up all night when they are on call. I imagine after a while, doctors, like everyone, get tired of getting called at all hours of the night, especially when they start getting old.

Additionally, doctors are pretty academic people, who from my experience tend not to be the most extroverted people.

Just my $.02

 

[DW]

Originally posted by SunnyS81
Are you really surprised about the attitudes of doctors?

Now, this will offend a ton of you, but a decent chunk of people I meet at interviews from other schools I can't STAND at ALL! I usually try to make conversation with the people at the school that day, but with some people I seem to have to PROVE myself worthy of their conversation. I could give you a long list of crappy things people have said, but I don't feel like reliving my hate.

ha ha...i've had pretty cool fellow interviewees most of the time, but at wash u this was DEFINITELY the case. maybe that was just an anomaly my interview day, but that place seemed like it had "gunner university" written all over it

 

[DW]

btw, i think this thread is kind of silly.

some docs are jerks, some are not.

some lawyers are jerks, some are not.

some professors are jerks, some are not.

some garbage collectors are jerks, some are not.

yes, there are some things about the medical profession that might tend to make people a little ornery. but for every time someone posts a "this doctor was an ass to me in the elevator", i can post a "this doc i know buys us a round of beers after lab meetings". we kind of have this over idealized notion of the medical profession where doctors are supposed to be hyper intelligent mother theresas. but, since the doctor pool is usually drawn from human beings as far as i can tell, you're going to see varying personalities regardless. and how one gets qualified as "nice" or a "jerk" is very much in the eye of the beholder.

my 1/50 of a dollar

 

[pillowhead]

sunny, you are so right.

Check out the Does undergrad institution matter thread and I think you'll see why some doctors are total jerks. judging from some of the comments there (state U kids are all ******s), it's no wonder so many doctors are arrogant

 

[Pickle Salt]

S-E-X-U-A-L F-R-U-S-T-R-A-T-I-O-N.

 

[LoveDoc]

I was told by the volunteer coordinator at the hospital I volunteer at that surgeons and orthopedic doctors are a**holes.

What is nice?

Is nice:

...smiling in response to your smile?
...responding to small talk on the elevator?
...returning a page within 30 minutes?
...ignoring when people do something that offends you?

If yes, then admit I am not the nicest person in the world. I do however try to come off as nice to benefit others. People just don't know how to define boundaries and set limits. Just because I work with you or for you does not mean I have to be your best friend. I STILL NEED MY COMFORT ZONE-- and 9 times out of 10 you ain't in it.

Each day I grow older I think I understand how doctors feel. When it boils down, their job is a 'physician.' They still have a life that defines their whole person and people do not respect that.

 

[republicandr]

surgeons do tend to be jerks. but how important is bedside manner when your patient is anesthesized? on the other hand, pediatricians and family docs are usually quite nice.

 

[lola]

Originally posted by LoveDoc

If yes, then admit I am not the nicest person in the world. I do however try to come off as nice to benefit others.

whoa....god must really love you!
you too diogenes!

 

[StritchMD2011]

I didnt mean for this thread to get so out of hand.. I was merely asking why such a disproportionately large number of doctors seem to be jerks. I definitely realize there is always going to be the "bad day factor," but it just seems like there are certain doctors I've encountered who always seem to be pissed. On the other hand, there are some incredibly cool ones too. I suppose the competition involved in becoming a doctor does tend to naturally favor those who are more agressive, and that often means unfriendly. And for those who questioned: my version of "nice" just includes common respect. I personally always try to greet another person when walking down a hallway, or at least smile to someone. I guess many just don't share my ideas. Sorry for starting this post....

 

[Random Access]

Originally posted by lola
it's only the male doctors

Did you miss the thread about male vs. female OB/GYN Kenobis? The female ones were apparently the jerks in that case...

 

[Diogenes]

Originally posted by lola
whoa....god must really love you!
you too diogenes!

Huh? why?

 

[relatively prime]

Originally posted by SunnyS81
Are you really surprised about the attitudes of doctors?

Now, this will offend a ton of you, but a decent chunk of people I meet at interviews from other schools I can't STAND at ALL! I usually try to make conversation with the people at the school that day, but with some people I seem to have to PROVE myself worthy of their conversation. I could give you a long list of crappy things people have said, but I don't feel like reliving my hate.

Really?! All the people I meant at my interviews were exceptionally nice and pleasent people. Huh....

 

[latinfridley]

Why are docs such jerks?

Because they can be