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5 Rules to Follow When Working With Doctors
Kathy Quan | NursingLink
Rule #1: Keep it Short
One of the first and fast rules to learn is that a doctor’s time is very precious. Don’t waste it, or you may not live to understand why. Be prepared when approaching a doctor; if your patient needs something, such as different pain medication, come armed with all the information the doctor may need and then some, in order to make an informed decision.
For example, you gave the patient a prn pain medication almost an hour ago, and he is still complaining of 8/10 pain. He’s insisting you call the doctor and get something else ordered right now. Don’t walk out of the room, call the doctor and say, “Your patient, Mr. Smith is asking me to call you for additional pain medication orders.” The doctor will be inclined to have your head first! He needs information, and if you’re not prepared to provide it, look out!
For example, you gave the patient a prn pain medication almost an hour ago, and he is still complaining of 8/10 pain. He’s insisting you call the doctor and get something else ordered right now. Don’t walk out of the room, call the doctor and say, “Your patient, Mr. Smith is asking me to call you for additional pain medication orders.” The doctor will be inclined to have your head first! He needs information, and if you’re not prepared to provide it, look out!
JoeKeller
almost 2 years ago
52 comments
I have to say that working with doctors is like working with other people. We are all different and we have to understand and cope with that. Anyways, I just wanted to speak about Dr Salemy. He is a really nice guy who you can talk to. And by the way, I'm a male nurse:)) People have the tendency to laugh about that, but the truth is that I'm doing my job as any other nurse:))
marina_dilbone1
about 2 years ago
26 comments
some good,useful information-but most seems to imply nurses has got to be wrong here-reality is most of the time we are the best advocates for our patients and most of us know to be organized and what to say and how to say it
jakern71
over 2 years ago
6 comments
give me a #### break! everything seems revolve around kissing the doctors ass like you cant talk to them like a regular person .
RitzauRN
over 2 years ago
10 comments
Alright, after reading the article I agree it makes best sense to use SBAR or some other concise report in order to get the best response from the MD. To be fair halfway through the report the doctor is usually saying "Yeah, yeah" and ready to hang up or "just give another dose" but not really assessing the overall situation and modifying the pain regimen as needed. Still as an RN I am happy to defer to the doctor's knowledge and experience as long as they listen to the whole spiel.
RitzauRN
over 2 years ago
10 comments
Before I even read the article can you please stop using these weird and biased pictures. The nurses are almost always thin and blond and young and the doctors are almost always men and attractive. I especially think the suggestive pictures with tape wrapped around the RNs mouth (things not to say) is ridiculous and has masochist suggestions. Or I could be off my rocker, but why don't you use pictures of real RNs and not stupid models...
yaa1979
over 2 years ago
2 comments
THESE ARE REALLY GOOD RULES TO FOLLOW.
RBond
over 2 years ago
4 comments
Don't be afraid to question an order too, Doctor's make mistakes too!
Cleojane
over 2 years ago
10 comments
Lmao, that is a concise report?,,,and Dont waste THEIR time ? I can just imagine the look on a doctors face if I said "..and his wife has tried some soothing imagery" I'd probably be marched off to the psych ward.
Cleojane
over 2 years ago
10 comments
give a back rub!!?????? That was LAST century. We simply do NOT have the time!
michaelo
over 2 years ago
56 comments
i like the five rule to follow when working a doctor, the topics are interesting.
Inara
over 2 years ago
64 comments
fun!