Many a time in our lives, we come across doctors or health practitioners who are just mean. No matter where you are; city, suburbs, countryside or a village it seems to be a common phenomenon nowadays to come across a couple of them during your lifetime.
So, let me start-of by defining 'mean'. Rude remarks, easily anger-provoked, hasty, unkind, and not gentle, to name a few are the trademarks of a mean doctor. The public often expects doctors to be amongst the most caring of human beings. Being in an industry of health and services it is of paramount importance for a doctor to portray or adopt the highest form of courtesy even in the most troubling of times .
Simple, slightest things does matter to a patient;
-tone of voice
-choice of words
-in depth explanation of a disease or pathology to the respective patient in an understandable manner or lay-man's term and not of someone who has been through medical school.
-facial expression
-way of conveying bad news.
-very gentle and always appear poised, serene and calm.
And so when a doctor appears not to have these qualities or trademarks, they are often considered mean or rude which is a paradox because a doctor is involved in the health industry, in providing services which under certain circumstances maybe a life and death matter; is supposed to bear the uppermost etiquette available. Now they don't simply say "a doctor plays the role of god's hand in the world" do they?
That is why it irks people big time when they come across a GP who is somewhat robotic in response, not showing any emotions or who appears placid and has a 'couldn't -care-less' aura around them.
Bear in mind though that we're only dealing with the GP or the family doctor here, I'm not referring to doctors who are not in regular contact with patients on a day to day basis like surgeons, specialists, consultants, and lecturers
That being said, now the question is why? Why are mean doctors mean in the first place? The way I used to see it, is that just like any other person, one tends to live up to the expectations exerted by others unto oneself. If you're a professional and well-known for your rude remarks or plainly have an attitude problem, you in the course of your lifetime will continue to live up to that mark unless something significant or life-changing happens which shakes you to your core.
So does this explain the makings of a 'mean doc'?
Yes and No; not all of them.
There are many aspects which lead to this. In many countries doctors are overworked, underpaid, and stressed, taking its physical and psychological toll on their temperament. This is especially true in the case of government doctors. Then comes the question of why study medicine in the first place when you know what is to come? Well, medical studies are indeed a very long course and are amongst the toughest. So eventually one is worn out by the time one graduates. Excellent knowledge of the human body of course BUT worn out.
Then again, he or she may have had a rude mentor. Leading by example, (as violence breeds more violence) a rude mentor breeds rude students ; rude future doctors. Or it could just be in your genes, in the case of one or both of your parents are doctors (no pun intended here).
Nevertheless the doctors themselves do no consider this as unnatural or as a bad thing. They just view it as a way to work. After all you can't cater for all your patients need. E.g. 10 patients per day x 6(days) x 4(weeks) and we haven't even started mentioning about the odd working hours if you're on call. See the math?
Also worth mentioning here is the 'X' factor which every normal human being is susceptible to, bad weather, traffic jams, not enough sleep, late for work, spilled coffee on your pants/table, sick children, crappy boss, not-so-understanding spouse and the list goes on. And normal sane people tend to just 'lose it' or snap at whoever they meet.
The bottom line is, as a future doctor I will try my very best not to be rude or offend any of my patients in any possible way .HOWEVER if I happen to do so, it would probably be patient -induced or perhaps I had been cornered with no other choice or I was just having a bad day. I am human after all.
Being a medical student myself and having experienced both the good and the not-so-good stuffs, let me assure you that mean doctors will continue to exist in this world as in any other field or industry, but that has no connection whatsoever with the quality of service offered. In fact most of them happen to be excellent medical practitioners.
Finally, a good doctor's intention is always noble and a patient's best interest is of highest importance to him. This is what the Hippocratic Oath asks of doctors.
Burnout As A Nursing Assistant
So, let me start-of by defining 'mean'. Rude remarks, easily anger-provoked, hasty, unkind, and not gentle, to name a few are the trademarks of a mean doctor. The public often expects doctors to be amongst the most caring of human beings. Being in an industry of health and services it is of paramount importance for a doctor to portray or adopt the highest form of courtesy even in the most troubling of times .
Simple, slightest things does matter to a patient;
-tone of voice
-choice of words
-in depth explanation of a disease or pathology to the respective patient in an understandable manner or lay-man's term and not of someone who has been through medical school.
-facial expression
-way of conveying bad news.
-very gentle and always appear poised, serene and calm.
And so when a doctor appears not to have these qualities or trademarks, they are often considered mean or rude which is a paradox because a doctor is involved in the health industry, in providing services which under certain circumstances maybe a life and death matter; is supposed to bear the uppermost etiquette available. Now they don't simply say "a doctor plays the role of god's hand in the world" do they?
That is why it irks people big time when they come across a GP who is somewhat robotic in response, not showing any emotions or who appears placid and has a 'couldn't -care-less' aura around them.
Bear in mind though that we're only dealing with the GP or the family doctor here, I'm not referring to doctors who are not in regular contact with patients on a day to day basis like surgeons, specialists, consultants, and lecturers
That being said, now the question is why? Why are mean doctors mean in the first place? The way I used to see it, is that just like any other person, one tends to live up to the expectations exerted by others unto oneself. If you're a professional and well-known for your rude remarks or plainly have an attitude problem, you in the course of your lifetime will continue to live up to that mark unless something significant or life-changing happens which shakes you to your core.
So does this explain the makings of a 'mean doc'?
Yes and No; not all of them.
There are many aspects which lead to this. In many countries doctors are overworked, underpaid, and stressed, taking its physical and psychological toll on their temperament. This is especially true in the case of government doctors. Then comes the question of why study medicine in the first place when you know what is to come? Well, medical studies are indeed a very long course and are amongst the toughest. So eventually one is worn out by the time one graduates. Excellent knowledge of the human body of course BUT worn out.
Then again, he or she may have had a rude mentor. Leading by example, (as violence breeds more violence) a rude mentor breeds rude students ; rude future doctors. Or it could just be in your genes, in the case of one or both of your parents are doctors (no pun intended here).
Nevertheless the doctors themselves do no consider this as unnatural or as a bad thing. They just view it as a way to work. After all you can't cater for all your patients need. E.g. 10 patients per day x 6(days) x 4(weeks) and we haven't even started mentioning about the odd working hours if you're on call. See the math?
Also worth mentioning here is the 'X' factor which every normal human being is susceptible to, bad weather, traffic jams, not enough sleep, late for work, spilled coffee on your pants/table, sick children, crappy boss, not-so-understanding spouse and the list goes on. And normal sane people tend to just 'lose it' or snap at whoever they meet.
The bottom line is, as a future doctor I will try my very best not to be rude or offend any of my patients in any possible way .HOWEVER if I happen to do so, it would probably be patient -induced or perhaps I had been cornered with no other choice or I was just having a bad day. I am human after all.
Being a medical student myself and having experienced both the good and the not-so-good stuffs, let me assure you that mean doctors will continue to exist in this world as in any other field or industry, but that has no connection whatsoever with the quality of service offered. In fact most of them happen to be excellent medical practitioners.
Finally, a good doctor's intention is always noble and a patient's best interest is of highest importance to him. This is what the Hippocratic Oath asks of doctors.
Burnout As A Nursing Assistant
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