Schedules may make doctors gruff

Because many of my friends and family members practice medicine, I feel I have some insight into their personal lives and lifestyles.

One friend who delivers babies is frequently up most of the night and often several nights in a row. Several friends who are surgeons may be called to the hospital for emergency surgery at any hour. Other non-surgical specialists find themselves inundated with emergency phone calls.

We all have read about and may have had personal experiences with doctors who kept up waiting in the office for minutes or even hours beyond the appointment time. We may have experienced the seemingly “grouchy” doctor with little or no bedside manner or effective communication skills. Often we have felt rushed through an examination or consultation with many unanswered questions and no time to voice complaints. We feel this is not uncommon as we discuss our doctors with our friends or read about health care polls in magazines and newspapers.

But are we aware that changes in medicines and other health care professions are occurring at a rate that no one ever would have predicted? Do we realize that the health care industry is undergoing a shake-up that even the most astute medical economist may find bewildering?

Rules and regulations passed down by the government and other regulatory bodies certainly have the patient’s welfare in mind. But the changes are occurring so rapidly that health care professionals and their staffs find it difficult to adjust and still practice good health care.

Keeping gin mind the rules and regulations, there are other factors to consider when choosing a health care professional. My experience as a health care practitioner in the field of human behavior helped me develop some guidelines that I think would be helpful to patients dealing with problems they may encounter with their doctor.

Patients should recognize that a certain number of emergencies and unexpected professional situations may occur that will cause their doctor to deviate from a predetermined schedule. When that happens, it is to be expected that office staff members will inform the patients, who have the option of waiting or rescheduling appointments.

Many health care professionals are perfectionists due to the nature and demands of their work, their individual personalities or a combination of these factors. When under stress, they may become very directive and seemingly uncaring. We all want to be cared or by someone who takes the time to listen to us, but we sometimes forget that the doctor may be under tremendous pressures because of professional commitments beyond his control.

Many people don’t realize that health care professionals have families and obligations outside their profession. Certainly the patient is their first commitment except at times when family illnesses or other emergencies make it necessary to change their schedule.

Doctors have personalities, too. Some are extroverted and communicative; others are less inclined to verbalize. Understanding your doctor’s style is important. If you want a chatty, outgoing type, seek one with that reputation. However, some of the best health care professionals may confine their conversation to the facts of the case. In my experience, some of the gruffest doctors have been the very best when it comes to the care they gave me.


Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D. Copyright 1986