Why do doctors have "favorites"?

[Gnusgal]

I'd say I've become a "favorite" patient among many in the medical profession. And I am not a major beauty (I'm not ugly, just average). I believe whole-heartedly that this is due to my personality. I still question, but I do so with curiosity rather than accusation. I'm friendly to everyone because I know they are not to blame for my condition or the situation I happen to be in. I'm also open and willing to share about myself and my condition to anyone who asks. I'm willing to make jokes and laugh with them no matter what they happen to be "doing" to me at the time.

Just a couple of weeks ago I went in to get my annual MUGA scan. One tech brought me into the room and said "You look familiar." I told him I come in every year. He said "Oh, yeah! Now I remember." And then we began talking and joking around. Then another tech came in and said "Hey! It's you. Vicky and I were just talking about you and wondering when we'd see you again. She'll be sad she missed you. She's home with her sick kid." Yet another tech came in and HE recognized me as well. We spent the remainder of the test procedure joking around and teasing one another. When you can laugh with someone, despite the unpleasantness of the situation, people will like you. At least, that's been my experience.

And I know my cardiologist loves me! One time (this was several years ago) she called me up out of the blue just to see how I was doing. She was waiting on some results for another patient and got to thinking about me, so she picked up the phone and called. I love that about her! And every time I see or talk to her we talk about ME, not just my heart (she loves to tease my husband!).

 

[Mary]

Pain





In





The





A$$



I am positive that my wife has these initials next to her name in several nurses and receptionist computers. When you hear "OH, YOU!!!" when you say your name-----(PITA) is the entry!!!!

May God Bless,

Danny

You know me so well!

 

[debster913]

PITA. Heh. We used to call my now 17-year-old niece Pinithius when she was a toddler. It took me a while to catch on, but then realized it was short for Pain in the Ass. We still call her that, especially when she recently crashed her new car. Teen driver. Sigh.

Anyway, so, yeah, this special patient thing...Jen may be special to her kidney specialist, but I forgot to add on that I'm pretty special to my cardio and his nurse. Have been since my valve surgery.

At this morning's visit, Doc and the nurse were both in the room with me explaining the whole "MRA and cutting out the scar tissue" thing. We were just chatting lightly before Doc moved on to his next patient and I asked, "Can I ask you guys a cute question? Why am I so special to you both?" I think this thread prompted me to ask. Hmmm.

Doc looked at me and said, "I'll let Rosie explain to you," and then left to see his next patient. It seems I'm special because I'm the youngest patient of my cardio's to have had valve surgery, and I have a pretty good attitude.

I love my cardio and nurse--they're really great!

 

[PairoDocs]

From Pairodocs-Laura

I am a bona fide M.D. (not a cardiologist, thank God) and I have always tried hard not to "play favorites". Since I have long worked for public health, ( only recently in private practice but still with a large Medicaid population) I have never gotten to choose my patients or have anything to do with scheduling. The triage is always the same; emergencies first, sickies next, scheduled appointments, then walk-ins. My nurse and receptionist do all the scheduling.

That said, I do have patients that I enjoy seeing more than others. Sometimes I enjoy a good argument, so those folks don't bother me. Examples of patients I DO NOT enjoy seeing:
-Those that are abusive and/or disrespective of me or my staff. This includes those who threaten to come after my family or myself, or go after staff or their families. It is hard sometimes with the mentally ill, and I have seen patients with a security officer inside the room.
-Those who bring their kids and let them dismantle the room.
-Those who talk on their cell phones during the whole visit.
-Those who call me all hours of the day and night with non-emergent issues. I have had patients call me at 3 AM complaining of insomnia, asking for a diet and exercise plan, requesting an anti-emetic because they have been partying too hard, requesting a refill on their ibuprofen, asking me to tell their husband that they shouldn't have "relations", etc.
-I can't help myself, but I have difficulty with pediphiles, rapists, murderers, abusers, and those who violate other people. I know this is not a very Christian attitude, and I am doing my best to overcome it, but... it is hard.
-Those who "work the system".
-Those who are trying to get me to sign for their disbility who are not truly disabled.
-Those who spend the entire visit yelling at their kids.
-I have had patients who take up hours of my time, then show up sick because they didn't want to fill a $4 prescription, yet smoke 3 packs a day. This also includes people who want me to call in a prescription for aspirin, because Medicaid will pay for it (they don't any more).
-Those who have not bathed in awhile- I'm talking more than just a few days, for Pete's sake. They do have facilities available even for the homeless, here.
-Those who refuse to wear absorbent undergarments who soak themselves and then move from chair to chair in the waiting room.
-Those who spit into the sink or onto the office floor, especially tobacco.
-Those who pull up in a $60,000 vehicle, yet argue with the staff over a $5 charge on a bill that has already been significantly discounted.

I could go on and on; who could make this stuff up? The only reason that any of us stay in this profession (there are far easier ways to make a living) is because we love it; either we love people or we love medicine or both. For me, it was also a mission.

Hopefully, this will shed some light for some folks.

Very Nice Day In Idaho,
-Laura

 

[Dina]

Wow . all of it is so true. Alot of this is upsetting. When I was working
in a clinic a couple yrs. ago. A patient was to have blood taken including
a cd4,cd8 count and a viral load. The blood was drawn and the receptionist
realized that his picture on the insurance card is not him. When I looked at
it later , I saw she was right. I took it to his doctor , the doctor says its
probably just a bad picture and to not worry so much
I found out later that this same person needed paperwork filled out
for disability. So it looks as if he used someone who was truly HIV-AIDS
to give blood in place of him. I just don't understand, I mean wouldnt
you rather work , than sit around collecting pennies from the government
I can easily see how doctors ,nurses ,etc can become disgusted by
this type of patient, though i guess it should make them appreciate
the sincere ones even more.

 

[Bridgette]

From Pairodocs-Laura

Examples of patients I DO NOT enjoy seeing:
-Those who have not bathed in awhile- I'm talking more than just a few days, for Pete's sake. They do have facilities available even for the homeless, here.


LOL - this is so true. Over here in NZ, there are places where the homeless and very hard up (eg can't afford electricity to heat water) can have a shower for something like $1.00, or even free if circumstances warrant it.
Yet, in the vet clinic where I work part time, we sometimes get animal clients and their owners who are very smelly and obviously have not washed in days.....can't blame the animals for the owners negligence though
Laura, I admire your dedication to your career.