Where has professionalism gone? (9/22/03)

Whatever happened to professionalism and doctors who dress like doctors?

I am well aware of white coat syndrome. That is what it is called when someone has elevated blood pressure in the presence of a doctor but has normal blood pressure the rest of the time. Maybe that is the reason that some doctors have abandoned the traditional white lab coat in favor of street clothes.

Personally, I prefer that doctors wear the accepted uniform of the profession. I want the person in charge of my health to look like someone who knows what they are doing.

Recently I was referred to an unfamiliar hospital for a diagnostic test (I’m fine). My husband and I were greeted by a nurse. She was wearing the comfortable kind of uniform I have come to expect in health professionals.

Another lady came into the waiting room. I thought she was one of the patients until she introduced herself as the doctor. She was wearing a blouse that was at least six sizes too small and her belly was hanging out. She did not have the figure to be wearing styles best suited to women half her age. I did not find it at all reassuring that someone who obviously couldn’t figure out how a mirror worked was going to do rude things to me.

She immediately endeared herself to us by demanding to know why we were there. Her tone implied that we were taking up her valuable time for no good reason. Did she honestly think we had nothing better to do with our time and money than to bother her?

She was very clear that she felt the whole procedure was unnecessary. I reminded her that I had been referred by two other doctors. She adamantly disagreed with their findings. It turns out she was right.

Once she realized that we weren’t going away, she performed the procedure but complained and argued the entire time. This was the first time I have ever had a doctor behave like a petulant two-year-old in my presence and it was not the least bit reassuring. It didn’t help that the telephone rang in the middle of the procedure or that someone answered it.

I was relieved when her part in this drama was finished and the nurse took over. Nurse Liz was as kind, caring and as professional as the doctor was not. She was absolutely wonderful.

I have to wonder why the doctor felt she had the right to be as tactless as she was. Was it because she was uncomfortable in her tight blouse? Maybe she had been listening to angry rap music in an effort to regain her youth? Maybe her tummy was cold from being exposed? Perhaps she was just having a bad day and wanted to go home but was saddled with people like me who were placing demands on her time.

I don’t understand why doctors go to all the trouble to become doctors if they don’t want people bothering them with medical concerns. We rely on their knowledge and expertise. We count on them to alleviate whatever they can.

Common courtesy seems to be less and less common. We seem to accept rudeness as a way of life these days. Patients are often frightened and in pain and a little civility and compassion can make as much difference as the best modern technology. It seems that many doctors have forgotten this. Perhaps that is why so many people seek alternative treatments.

I realize that insurance companies place demands on medical institutions that limit the options doctors have. That is no excuse for acting as if people are intrusions best dismissed as quickly as possible. Maybe if we insist on the white coats, doctors will remember to act like adults. Maybe they will remember that a little professionalism goes a long way.[[In-content Ad]]