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medpundit |
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Friday, January 30, 2004Like most employees, doctors rated their work colleagues as a key factor in job satisfaction. Sixty one per cent of doctor and dentist respondents rated their colleagues as the most important factor in their job. By comparison, only 50% of nursing staff rated colleagues as the most important factor. But, whereas 20% of healthcare assistants rated their patients as one of the five most important factors in their work, patients were not ranked in the top five at all by doctors and dentists. Most of the time, being with my patients is the best part of my work. But after this week, I have to agree with the NHS doctors. I began it with a hospital patient who complained incessantly that "doctors just aren't as dedicated as they used to be," because another doctor made rounds in my place last weekend. And this, after I got up at 5:00 AM, drove ten miles on icy roads and nearly slid off said roads twice just for the privilege of seeing him on Monday morning. And it ended with a new patient whose husband has taken control of her medical management. I know this, because he told me up front that he has. He credits himself with saving her life twice from incompetent doctors. (I'm just the latest in a long line.) At any rate he was explaining to me what tests I should do to investigate a recent episode of medial rectus palsy. He's convinced that it was caused by the same condition he has. Husband: Surely, you've heard of PTO. Me: Ummm. No, I haven't. Husband: Unbelievable. It's very common medical terminology. (Then, very slowly, as if talking to a person of limited intelligence or limited English) It. Stands. For. Patent. Foramen. Ovale. Me: Isn't that PFO? He didn't miss a beat, but launched into a condescending explanation of the physiology of patent foramen ovale. Who does he think he is? I'm the doctor. I'm supposed to play the role of the arrogant ass who doesn't listen. posted by Sydney on 1/30/2004 09:03:00 PM 0 comments 0 Comments: |
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