Regarding my friend Jen...

[debster913]

Hi, all--

I posted last year about my friend Jen (the one with kidney issues). She is plugging along OK, but has been seen on a regular basis by her kidney doc.

Anyway, I wasn't sure how quite to advise her as I deal with this on a high school level with my students and all their "drama" that they like to share with me, as if I'm "Dear Abby" or Dr. Phil , so I thought I'd ask you here since some of you may have come across this in your own experiences or with anyone you know.

I'd posted a while back that Jen is kind of the "doctor's pet" (she's young, about mid-30s, and attractive) at her kidney specialist's office. But lately she's been bothered by what she sees as unprofessional office gossip. Apparently, the girls who work for the doctor think that Jen has a crush on her doctor (she doesn't) and they tease her about it. They also try to hint that he has a crush on her, too (unlikely).

Anyway, this does bother Jen. She respects her doctor, but the girls bring up this immature stuff almost every time she comes to the office. She tries to ignore it, but it is quite bothersome for her.

Any words of widsom I can pass along? She doesn't want to have to switch docs, but she also feels uncomfortable in his office.

Thanks!
Debi (debster913)

 

[catwoman]

Debi:

First of all, are Jen and her doctor both single? (Just asking out of curiosity)

This is unprofessional behavior on the office personnel's part. It SHOULD be reported.
She's paying to see the doctor, and thus she's paying to be subjected to this treatment by his employees. Something's wrong here.

I have complained to my PCP about some situations at his office (employee putting one date in computer and another on the appointment card, refusing to let me have my physical & causing me to make an extra trip; overhearing employees complain about filling out short-term disability forms for me after my MVR; etc.). He has apologized and told me to to report things like these, that he doesn't want to lose me as a patient.

Unprofessional, sloppy behavior on the part of office personnel is a liability to a doctor. It can be quite costly to the practice's revenue.

 

[Eva]

Ask your friend to be firm in stopping this and speak to the office manager/administrator !

 

[Bridgette]

I agree with Eva and Marsha. This is very unprofessional. Tell Jen to say that she is going to complain to a professional body, whichever one his practice belongs to.
That silly, immature behaviour belongs in school, not in a professional practice.
Don't these women value their jobs? In this recession, there's plenty of people out there who would happily take on such a role and be capable of acting in a professional and ethical manner - obviously the current staff can't?