Can I ask a question??

[pinkdaisy226]

Just wanted to say... I'm not worried about doctors and in the end, if I think I'm sick I'll go. When I had a high fever and refused to go a few summers ago (ended up having strep) I think the main reason why I refused was because I didn't want to go alone... I wanted my then boyfriend to take me, to pamper me and make me feel better. Yes, I know, I'm a brat sometimes.

I am scared of dentists... because they ALWAYS hurt me and because I'm afraid of what they'll say - that I have a million cavities or need this and that done. I only just got my insurance last year and am worried that when I go, it'll cost way more than I can even dream of having. And what then?

 

[wellingtoncats]

I'm not afraid of doctors or dentists, just needles.

 

[KitEKats4Eva!]

Originally Posted by WellingtonCats

I'm not afraid of doctors or dentists, just needles.

Yeah, that's always interested me - needle phobias. It's a very common and very legitimate phobia and I've had to physically hold patients down at just the thought of having a needle. One time I had to revive a guy who had fainted having some blood taken and his poor extremely pregnant wife was standing there panicked looking like she was going to have me deliver her baby on the spot as well!! Talk about nerve-wracking!! He was fine, but he did throw up on my shoes, which was pleasant.

I don't mind having needles - it's so interesting to watch it all happening!!

 

[pat]

Sarah,

From the perspective of being an RN (albeit retired for over 9 years now) who worked in a teaching hospital, so I worked with med students and residents as well as attending physicians, the best advice I can give you is to:

1: stay yourself..don't let the pressures of school, residency program change you, it does many.
2: stay humble...nothing is worse than an arrogant doctor (or nurse).
3: put yourself in your patient's shoes...remember or consider what it is like to be the one with the flapping open gown, the uncomfortable stretcher bed, the anxiety over needles, blood draws, that you as the patient need someone to just stop and listen, and explain..well.
4:treat the nurses who know what they are doing, who have the best healing touch, with respect and soak up everything they are willing to share/teach...nurses have hours of bedside time, they are trained to be super observant, and have much to share with you about your patients, and about patient assessment.
5: Remember your position, your dedication, your years of schooling do not ever give you the right to be dismissive, or short with your patients, you are working *for* that patient, it is not that the patient is there to receive the care you give.

Hope none of the above is offensive to anyone, it's not meant to be, it is meant to be helpful,

 

[wellingtoncats]

Sarah,

I used to love needles and it never used to worry me. I had to have blood tests in November and I've never been so scared in my life. In april we need to have the Meningitis vaccine, and then we need to have two more 6 weeks apart and they told us the other day in assembly and I was so close to fainting while they were talking about it! I'm not looking forward to it one bit!!

 

[KitEKats4Eva!]

You poor thing! Meningitis is scary and I would be a bit terrified, too, of that happening. The only bad needle experience I've had was when I had to go to the emergency department late one night because I had a ruptured ovarian cyst that had bled into my stomach. I was in the worst kind of agony I ever thought possible and the young intern there was trying to inject morphine. First three times he couldn't get a vein (this was in the top of my hand), finally got one and missed so it just blew a big balloon up on my hand, then he tried inside my elbow, couldn't get one twice (I mean, I was thrashing around a bit but I like to think I was being a LITTLE cooperative...lol!) and then finally went off and got another doctor who had two goes before he could give me any. By that point things were so bad that it did absolutely nothing and I had to have another seven shots of morphine before it finally knocked me out and my pain went. Jeepers! I didn't hold anything against the young intern, of course, you have to learn somehow, but it wasn't easy to stay sane while he was trying, and for three weeks after that I had a foot-long bruise down the inside of my arm which made me look like a junky!! Ugggh!

 

[bossinova]

I find this forum very very interesting. I have a very strong passion for the medical field, and worked in an ER for almost 5 years. I am going to school for nursing, and my end goal is to get a masters in anesthesia (certified nurse anaesthetist).
I have had several experiences as both a patient and an employee of a hospital with both sides of the board when it comes to doctors. My primary care, who is actually a nurse practitioner, is fabulous. She is absolutely wonderful, and I have been seeing her for over 13 years now. I live about an hour and a half away from her office now, but still drive the commute for my yearly check ups. I saw a GI specialist a few times for some stomach issues I was having, and it was the worst experience I've had as a patient. How frustrating is it when you tell the Dr. something, and you can see they completely blew it off, and the next check up you have, you mention the same thing you said last time, and they look surprised and say, "oh, really? You've been experiencing that? For how long?" I just about died. Needless to say, I spoke my mind to her about her listening skills (and lack thereof). I don't know if she even acknowledged it, but it's so incredibly important for them to listen! That is a HUGE diagnostic tool for them!
I have also worked with several different Drs in my time in the ER. The majority were kind and caring and took the time with the patients to educate and answer any lingering questions or fears. The remainders....well, the comment that was made earlier about the fact that they passed their exams doesn't mean that they'll be good stands so true. And that is scary because we entrust so much into their judgement and education. But what you need to remember is that the majority really do care, and really do listen. It's just those last few that really ruin it for the rest of them.
Okay, I'm done with my ranting and raving. I'm sorry it's so long. I have a genuine love for the medical field, and it makes me sad that so many people have been scarred by a careless experience that they can no longer see and appreciate what a good doctor has to offer (due to fear, distrust, or even hate).