Quote:
Originally Posted by Talk Host
I read this morning that there is a move among doctors to require patients to sign a waiver stating that the patient "will not" post negative comments about that doctor on blogs and forums like this one. The story went on to say that if the patient refuses to sign, the doctor will tell the patient to find another physician.
Patients have begun fighting back when they feel that they didn't get the care they deserved or when the doc's attitude was lousy. Doctors are feeling the pinch and they don't like it. As I understand the story, the doctors position is that comments about "service or attitude" are not a fair reflection on his or her medical skill.
To my way of thinking, they all come in the same package. Attitude, service, responsiveness, bedside manner, care, concern and medical skill are what we pay for.
You can read the full story here http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090304/...gging_patients |
The unfair and dangerous part of this is that anyone is able to write anything inflamatory about any physician as their "opinion". As in all other parts of life there are unreasonable people that be come disgruntled for unreasonable reasons. Defaming a physician, even if its only your "opinion" is hurtful and dangerous, and potentially damaging to professionals that deal with difficult people in some of the most difficult circumstances life has to offer. Many of these patients may in fact have emotional problems that affect their ability to give or receive communication normally, or to honestly and accurately portray the situations they deal with. Who is going to be able to tell the difference?
Should we all be held accountable? Certainly, just as the patients should (non compliance, obesity, smoking, missing appointments to just name a few). Medicine is difficult enough and has become too much of a battlefield as it is today without having to deal with sometimes wild, unfounded, and misplaced accusations. There are accepted channels to go through to deal with complaints regarding physicans, from actually sitting down to voice your concerns with the doctor to speaking with hospitals to going to the state medical board.
Let's try to remember that physicians are human too, and sometimes may have an off day and a "lousy" attitude. Our parents die, our children become sick, our patients die despite our greatests attempts, we carry the weight of a lot of peoples problems in our hearts and souls every day.
You want to "fight back"? Then do so in a fair and equitable way. Life in medicine is hard enough. Practicing today is a virtual minefield. Take a look at the statistics of the mass exodous from medicine that is gathering steam. I abhor medical professionals that do not have compassion, empathy and respect for their patients, I also know that this is a relative minority. Let's offer respect to those that sacrifice personal life and family every day for what they do, and avoid putting them in yet another defensless position.