Why do doctors have "favorites"?

[debster913]

Thought I'd get away from the "deadline controversy" in my other thread and bring up something else quite curious.

To background: I have a friend I've practically known since the womb. Our moms were close friends, and Jen and I have birthdays two weeks apart. (I'm older. Heh.).

Jen has had kidney problems since she was a kid, and has seen a kidney specialist since she was about 12. She's been seeing this new adult kidney disease doctor now for about two years, and she's also been having worse problems with her kidneys during this time to the point where she may need a transplant in the future. So, you can imagine that Jen and I have bonded over our "faulty" organs.

Anyway, Jen's doctor is particularly fond of her and will bend over backwards for her. Maybe it doesn't hurt that Jen is gorgeous? The medical assistants and nurses who work for Kidney Doctor tell her all the time that she's his favorite patient. She can call his office anytime to get an appointment with him any day and any time and the secretaries will squeeze her in. I think that's pretty fantastic of any doctor to do that, expecially when I work out at Curves in the morning and the older gals there are always complaining that they can hardly get in to see their doctors and their doctors are always "too busy" and never return their calls.

I'm just curious to see if any of you have any thoughts on why doctors seem to be fonder of some patients than others. Is it like that "teacher's pet" thing?

Thanks in advance for your replies--
Debi (debster913)

 

[geebee]

I am guessing it might have something to do with looks and personality. Doctors are only human and I am sure they like dealing with nice looking and happy people, especially when/if most of their patients are sickly, look sickly and are probably not all that happy. If you go into a store or car dealer or restaurant, you will see the employees respond to or gravitate to the "easy on the eyes" folks over us plain ones. I am sure it is the same in every profession.

 

[perrypiratesdad]

...employees respond to or gravitate to the "easy on the eyes" folks over us plain ones.

I'm sure there is some truth to that, but I think attitude has a lot to do with it too.

I have known many girls who are easy on the eyes only to have crappy attitudes. They may be fun to be around at first, but then it gets real old. I think that some people just respond well to great attitudes. I know I do.

 

[Bonzo Dog]

My GP wife has her favourtite patients. She usually has a soft spot for 'sweet old ladies'. As one of her patients is aged 112 and the oldest person in Britain then her favouritism could be well placed.

 

[Mary]

I would venture a guess that the doctor's office reserves several appointment times throughout the day for patients who are seriously ill. Since your friend's condition has deteriorated to the point of needing a possible transplant, she would probably be one that is seen as the need arises.
At my GP's, I'm in the computer as a "moderate to high risk" patient. I don't get preferential appointments for routine exams, but if I'm suffering from any illness, there are open appointment slots where they can fit me in that day.

So maybe your friend seems to be one of the doctor's favorites, but it has more to do with her condition than her looks or personality.

 

[perrypiratesdad]

My GP wife has her favourtite patients. She usually has a soft spot for 'sweet old ladies'. As one of her patients is aged 112 and the oldest person in Britain then her favouritism could be well placed.

Your wife must be different though because she married a guy dressed as a croc with four breasts.

 

[Bonzo Dog]

Your wife must be different though because she married a guy dressed as a croc with four breasts.

No, on the wedding day I was wearing a cool, casually smart, linen suit.

 

[Mary]

Your wife must be different though because she married a guy dressed as a croc with four breasts.

I find it disturbingly attractive, myself.

 

[gadgetman]

At my GP's, I'm in the computer as a "moderate to high risk" patient.

Sure it ain't

(PITA)??????!!!!

May God Bless,

Danny

 

[Mary]

Sure it ain't

(PITA)??????!!!!

May God Bless,

Danny

I can't figure this out--even when it's written by Bubba's alter ego!
(if it's anything bad, better send it in a pm.)
(better yet, if it's bad, just crawl on down to the basement)

 

[ponygirlmom]

Generally,

a.) Doctors hate sick people (people who don't get better under their care)

b.) Doctors hate people who question them

Your friend has a serious medical problem, but her doctor feels like he can "make her better," and I'll bet she responds well to whatever treatment and tests he throws her way, and she doesn't question him. That plus a sunny disposition makes her a favorite.

I'm pretty sure my former GP hated me, and I'm pretty sure my current GP likes me. I'm the same person with the same medical history. The difference is their attitudes.

 

[debster913]

Oh, yes, Jen has the whole sunny disposition thing down to a "T." And while Jen isn't a fragile case quite yet, she does need to see her kidney specialist often.

My GP and I don't have a good doctor-patient relationship, either. She never seems to have the time to answer my questions or thoroughly examine me. Case in point: After my valve surgery, I developed a gynecological problem from the antibiotics. Because trying to get in to see my gyno is nearly impossible, I went to my GP so she could make sure I had the um, infection, I thought I had. She examined me quickly, didn't bother taking a sample to send to the lab, and then misdiagnosed me with another infection. It took three weeks to clear up this darned infection and I had to wrangle my way in to see the gyno for another test! Grrr.

Still, I can't help but to think that if I looked more like a Victoria's Secret model I'd get better treatment from doctors.

 

[ponygirlmom]

I can't help but to think that if I looked more like a Victoria's Secret model I'd get better treatment from doctors.

But you're so cute! You look like the Gerber baby!

 

[debster913]

But you're so cute! You look like the Gerber baby!

Heh. Yeah, 33 years ago!

 

[Nancy]

I don't think all doctors hate sick people.

Joe was a very ill man, he had so, so, many problems.

His attitude was terrific and he had a strong will to live. I truly believe that quite a few of his doctors wanted to see just how far they could keep him going, because they genuinely liked him and understood his spirit. And they did do their best. That's why he lived as long as he did. And he wasn't appealing because he was "eye candy" to these guys (I don't think ).

He could call several of them and get right in to see them the same day because I guess they knew they would be seeing him one way or the other, either in the office or in the ER and then hospital, because we just wouldn't sit around when something needed to be taken care of.

I think most doctors go into the profession because they want to help folks. Some get lost along the way, but most keep that attitude.

They are human beings, just like us all, and subject to the same emotions, even though they may mask them under a cloud of professionalism.

 

[hensylee]

I love my dr and I think she loves me right back. She's young and I am old and it's quite a combo. At first appt we found out we were both brought up in Miami so struck a chord right off. We chit chat about bunches of stuff, then do a bit of medical exams and she sends me off with a great smile. I always feel so good when leaving. Maybe she does that with all patients - maybe not. But she makes me feel very special.

 

[Dina]

My female PCP seems to be annoyed with me and all of my questions,
but my male cardio is much more understanding, even when I question
him in depth and in detail(not to say he enjoys this) and I can be
bothersome and question their decisions, which none appreciate.
I do think attractiveness,personality,attitude, and intelligence/education
do help with some doctors-male and female.

 

[gadgetman]

I can't figure this out--even when it's written by Bubba's alter ego!
(if it's anything bad, better send it in a pm.)
(better yet, if it's bad, just crawl on down to the basement)

Pain





In





The





A$$



I am positive that my wife has these initials next to her name in several nurses and receptionist computers. When you hear "OH, YOU!!!" when you say your name-----(PITA) is the entry!!!!

May God Bless,

Danny

 

[Bridgette]

Oh yeah, I'd say it has a fair bit to do with your friend's sunny personality.
After all, the doctor is only human, and who wouldn't have a soft spot for someone who is always cheerful and pleasant (plus nice to look at)?
Probably easier to deal with than someone who is grumpy and demoralised, even though they could have very good reason to be that way (major illness etc).

Years ago I worked in a gynae ward in a women's hospital and there was a young patient in who had to have a hysterectomy due to cervical cancer. She had only recently got married too.
She had such a lovely personality that all the doctors and nurses (male and female) had a "soft spot" for her and went that extra mile for her - and you could tell how popular and loved she was by the amount of friends that came to visit her.

 

[Bonzo Dog]

'The Worried Well'

'The Worried Well'

'The Worried Well'

A term in use over here in the UK and maybe also in N. America to describe a well, ie not ill person, who is an attender at GPs surgeries and Consultants clinics due to their worried mind thinking they may be/are ill. Reassurance and confidence building is what they need, not medical analysis. Many doctor patient dialogues fall into this category of medical social work.

Could it be some post VR people present themselves at the doctors in a negative frame of mind as ill patients and are therefore not the docs favourites?
Post surgery they are in fact well, the surgery was done to solve the illness and a positive frame of mind would endear them to medical professionals.
Yes we all have our niggles. Stressing out about them and taking that stress to the docs does nobody any good.

Be stoic, think positive, the clinicians may adopt you as a favourite.