Sometimes doctors who are condescending just need a smack. When Grace was born, I met a pediatrician who deserved one. Come to find out, the hospital gave it to him.
Link here to read the original story.
Dr. Arrogant came into our lives when he didn't come into our room. That is to say that he was supposed to see Grace within 24 hours of birth. She was jaundiced, and I was naturally worried. When he finally did show up a day late, he said he was too busy.
Then to prove he was indeed arrogant and not just having a bad day, when I asked him medical questions, he told me that was not for me to worry about.
Rude words, several containing the letter F, remained unsaid.
Instead, I complained to my obstetrician, who filed a complaint with the hospital. Also, I coincidentally met Madame Administrator and seized the moment.
Six months later during a routine checkup, my O.B. said that the hospital took the situation seriously. It rolled out a long memo, and a ... wait for it ... policy change: two times and you're out.
So the next time Dr. Arrogant decides he's too busy to see his patients when he is on call, he loses hospital privileges.
Damn straight.
Moms, this is a victory for us all. Hopefully, we will always meet the overwhelming majority of doctors, nurses, and health care professionals who pour their hearts and souls into each patient.
In the rare event we meet another Dr. Arrogant, we should take action. Write the letter. Make the call. Our children deserve more, and so do we.
Sometimes a little smack is all it takes.
Jerry
9:55 am on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Good lesson for expectant mothers. Situations like this can be avoided if, before the birth of the child, the mother takes the time to carefully select a pediatrician she is comfortable with. There is plenty of time to research background, visit offices, and have conversations with current patients so you can make the best choice for your child. Relying on whoever happens to be on call at the time of birth is a roll of the dice with your baby's health.
Janice Lindegard
7:23 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Jerry, my husband and I interviewed three pediatricians before selecting one prior to our son's birth. We got along great. Because she didn't practice at the hospital where I delivered, we selected a well-known pediatrician to check out our son before being discharged, thinking he'd be better than the pediatrician on-call. Well, the first meeting with our pre-selected pediatrician couldn't have been worse. She made me feel terrible and literally grabbed the baby out of my arms. We were shocked but left there intent on never returning. My obstetrician recommended someone who we grew to love and dearly miss to this day. Turns out he was the pediatrician on call the day my son was born. I think we were destined to have him in our lives. My point is that you should never feel like you can't switch horses. Dealing with a dr. is very different from interviewing them.
Erin Gallagher
4:06 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
@ Jerry, we totally agree. We LOVE our pediatrician locally. However, we were in a hospital farther away where our local doctors don't have privileges.
Cindy Jacobson
5:41 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Good for you, Erin for complaining. It's hard to even believe someone who is supposed to care for children would act so arrogantly! Thank goodness for the policy change!
MidwestGal
6:42 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Great to hear the hospital responded. Last year, Edward Hosp. didn't have a doctor review a family member's x-rays for 2.5 days...turned out the arm with the i.v. was broken in half. The family member was in a lot of pain. Each time I spoke they would say "soon" "we'll check it next hour"...I spoke with admin., they didn't care either - said they were busy those days, since she was in the hosp already the diagnosis didn't matter. Another problem is the nurse doctors (physicans assitants) they aren't as knowledgeable as they think they are, and their egos are huge. I can diagnosis strep better!
Heather H
6:14 pm on Thursday, June 14, 2012
I'm very glad to hear that you brought this doctor's neglect to the attention of the administrator. As a nurse, I am often dismayed that patients treated poorly by their physician are very reluctant to stand up to their doctor. Each patient deserves to be treated with competence and respect by all their healthcare providers. I would like to clarify a point brought up by MidwestGal. Physician assistants are not nurses. A physician's assistant is someone with a bachelor's degree who then completes a physician's assistant program which usually results in them receiving a master's degree. They are licensed to examine, diagnose, and prescribe treatment to patients in a limited capacity under the direction of a physician. Nurse Practitioners are Registered Nurses who have completed at least a master's degree and been licensed by the state. In Illinois, NP's practice under a collaborative agreement with a physician. In many states NP's practice independently. The greatest difference I have seen between PA's and NP's is the hand's on nursing experience that NP's gain as a nurse. PA's can have any bachelor degree prior to entering a PA program.