Friday, April 16, 2010

open letter to somebody else's pediatrician

Dear Idiot Pediatrician,

I am so glad you are not my children's doctor.  Your staff is rude.  I don't know if you all hate your jobs or dislike people, or are just flat-out judgmental bastards, but not making eye contact with the teen mom who is CLEARLY making an effort to raise her baby and do well by her? Is crappy.  Talking loudly and slowly makes it even harder to pay attention to you.  Here's a little bit of information I think you missed:  JUST BECAUSE A PERSON IS POOR DOESN'T MEAN THAT PERSON IS STUPID. OR DEAF. Chew on that for a minute.

Starting the appointment off by telling the mom (loudly and slowly) that THE BABY'S AIDS TEST CAME BACK CLEAR AND SHE SHOULD GO BACK IN 6 MONTHS TO GET HER OWN TEST RE-DONE, without even saying hello, or asking how they are doing or even pretending to be competent socially?  Pretty much makes you look like a heartless pig.  

Not answering the mother's VERY VALID QUESTIONS about medical procedures?  Makes you look insensitive.  We get it that money is the bottom line for your practice.  We all know that you get an enormous kickback from the vaccine companies for having 100% of your patients 100% vaccinated.  It's not a secret. 

Also not a secret?  That little thing called the Hippocratic Oath.  Remember that?  That silly pledge you make when you're all done being a student doctor and are deemed ready to move on into the world of grown-up doctors?  It contains this phrase: 
I will remember that there is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon's knife or the chemist's drug.

Warmth, sympathy and understanding.  Try it. 

Sincerely,
Pamela

P.S.  You knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that I was not that baby's mother.  Handing her back to me after you examined her, and addressing me as such, was one of the most insulting acts I have ever witnessed.

10 comments:

  1. I have been tempted for months to write a letter to my doctor explaining how members of his new office staff are cold, condescending, and provide less customer service than a pimply-faced sixteen year old working his first job at a McDonald’s drive-thru. They are a for-profit business yet they treat patients like we should be grateful that they are willing to speak to us. I’m doctor shopping.

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  2. I would have to call and tell the head doctor. That's just wrong.

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  3. You are actually sending that, right? Can we all make photocopies and mail them with our own signatures like a big huge "Petition to Get a Clue" or something?

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  4. Also want the phone version... WTF!!!! Perhaps this was the same doctor that asked me if I was "educated" because I questioned one of her "routine procedures."

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  5. I know. SO obnoxious, right? But how could I not?

    Good for you, Girly! I'd like the phone transcript, too,by the way.

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  6. When you've got a really sick kid, a bit of kindness goes a HELL of a long way at the doctor's office!!!

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  7. I am asking for the phone version too but I think I may be getting that second hand ;o) "How rude" in the worlds of the young Stephanie Tanner!!

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  8. Seriously? That is screwed up. I am sitting here fighting mad. Privately I would love it if you could tell me what office this is so I can avoid it like death and recommend that my friends do the same. I am somewhat proud of you though for not swinging. Cause I would have swung.

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talk to me, people. because you know i get all giddy when you do.