In Defense Of Doctors: Why We Act Like Jerks, And How To Handle Us When We Do - Better Health

A somewhat tongue-in-cheek discussion of doctor behaviour. The reasons:

1. Doctors are afraid of their responsibility and potential for error
2. Doctors are hen-pecked by administration (seems to be common both sides of the border but US healthcare administration costs are high compared to most countries)
3. Doctors are exhausted
4. Doctors were probably jerks to begin with given the competitive nature of medical school entrance requirements

And recommendations on how to work with a ‘jerk’.

Don’t:

1. Bring your doctor more trivia
2. Threaten your doctor with legal action
3. Attack your doctor’s judgment directly
4. Fight fire with fire

Do:

1. Be prepared for your visit
2. Be understanding of doctor’s lateness
3. Be a ‘compliant’ patient – follow the treatment
4. Find another doctor if you need to

Fortunately, I have not encountered any doctors or other members of my medical team that fall into this category – and my sense is that this kind of behaviour is much less tolerated now than previously.

Working on a piece on how to work with your medical team which takes a more positive approach!

In Defense Of Doctors: Why We Act Like Jerks, And How To Handle Us When We Do – Better Health.