We all know working with doctors can be tricky -- it should almost be a course in nursing school!

What's your best advice for working with doctors? What rules do you follow to keep things running smoothly in the hospital or clinic?

Tell us!

Be respectful of their time. Be prepared and organize information before calling for orders. They will soon learn to appreciate your  feedback.

My first rule is be respectful.  Address the MD as "Doctor" or "Doc".   Think of them as the "generals" of the floor.  My second, and most important, rule is Know what you are talking about and what you want.    In other words, have good assessment. a recent set of vitals, a concise description of the problem, and depending on the MD being called a suggestion or two ready.  Write it out if you have to. My thrid rule is be brief.  Fourth, be polite. Old fashioned courtesy go a very long way toward getting the MD to hear you.  Fifth, don't be afraid to say that you have problem that you can't put your finger on.  If they're seasoned MD's they'll be open to your intution.  Sixth,  be brave.  Do not be afraid to keep calling if you really think you need help.  You are an RN. This means that you have education and experience behind your concerns.  BE CONFIDENT.

I am astonished by some of the answers.  It looks like nursing is still in the good old days.  Do you folks still stand up when a doctor comes on the floor?  Do you treat the male doctors with more awe and aloofness than the female doctors.  Over 38 years I've seen the gods and the monsters.  Reality check:  Every member of the team is a valuable resource.  There is no cure (doctor's role) without the care (nurse's role)  Of course, treat all persons with respect and dignity but the best role to put a doctor into, male or female, is the role of teacher.  Ask questions and really listen to the answers.  Don't let egos have a chance to take control.  Team members rely on collaboration and cooperation.  These are the keys to working with doctors, other nurses, housekeepers, lab personnel, pharmacy, everyone.  At the end of the day, the welfare of the patient is everyone's job and main concern. 

" If you know in advance of the MD's anticipated visit to his patient's, make an effort to ** eye-over** recent lab results,

   accuchecks, vital signs and anything pertinent that He / She should be made aware of,( discolorations on the skin,

    open areas or** anything unusual,prior to the MD finding it,themselves.) *** There is satisfaction to hear from them:

    " Hey, you're really on the ball ! Thanks!"

When you have worked with a certain docotor,over a period of time you will pick up on how he does things,this gives you alot of time to learn is good habits and bad habits,so I feel like it is always to try to be at least one or even two steps ahead of him,so he isn't left standing there whating for you to may amove for him without him asking you to do something,for him that you have seen him do at least a hundred times.

After reading MOST of the replies I can see why nurses are the doormats of health care.It's just like in nursing school when they tell you that MONEY shouldnt be a consideration for going into this god awful profession. Dr's for the most part could give a crap about what the nurse says. We are not viewed as professionals by them now or at any time in the future IMO. It's my job to take their orders. It's their job to look at labs, interperet results and determine the course of medical treatment. They usually dont want or could care less what my opinion is so I dont volunteer it anymore. If  they miss a lab its on them and dont you dare try to come back on me because you were to busy to look at things. I wont be responsible for it and Im not taking any of the blame when something goes wrong. Of course if I mess up then it's on me and I will accept that but if you are so high and mighty then you should know what the INR is and what dose of coumadin YOU ordered yesterday so why do I have to call you over and over trying to get a dose for YOUR patient. I call a couple of times and if they don't call back then guess what........the patient doesnt get a coumadin dose today. Not my problem and dont even try to lay that on me the next day because I'll tell you where to get off. Wake up people we are the grunts of health care. We are responsible for everything from the TV reception to the Code blue. Nursings slogan should be "Nurses responsible for everything, with power over nothing"......... 

Be prepared.  Be respectful.  Thank them.   It doesn't matter what you are saying in your head - they can't hear it.

Remember that theyt are human too.  In nursing school (many years ago) I had a nursing instructor tell us about some nurses that were "complaining" about a doctor but what they didn't realize was that the doctor was with a post-op patient that was bleeding heavily and couldn't come to the floor to see a patient with a less urgent need.  We need to remember that there are always two sides to every situation.

  I always remember that although they have a higher degree, more experience, and knowledge, they are just like me - a person!  I am not intimidated by anyone just because they have MD, or DO, etc. behind their name.  Give the proper respect, and keep open lines of communication, and the practice will flourish!  Patients recognize a good team when they see one!

Always call them by there first name, the attendings especially love this. Also about the attendings they love to hear from the nurses, if you have a question about their patient call them-even if they are at home and its 2AM. they love this. if you follow these rules you will make many doctor friends.

My first thought was: Do not do them bodily harm.  Good advice, but probably not the intent of this question.

I have worked with physician and PhD's and physician with PhD's.

On the whole, the physicians today are not believing that they are gods or demi-gods. 

Whether it is a physician, PA, NP, nurse, lab tech, cleaning lady, whatever; remember, that like you, they have a life other than the hospital and sometimes events from that arena intrude into their minds when working with you.  I have known docs who, either were tired and stressed or just lacked people skills "seem" to be rude or give you a slight of some sort.

Think it though before getting ticked-off.  I have found myself in those "dazes"  when you would be walking down a hall, thinking of a case or some other problem and not recognize or respond to people around you.  It not personal,  it is what happens to some when wrapped up in a case.

I knew a physician who could not remember his phone number or zip code.  But ask him to describe how cystochrome P-450 2-D6 affects anti-arrhythmic drugs affect on Asians differently that caucausians, blacks or hispanic and he could explain it to an 8 y.o. or the Chairman of a Special Advisory Board of the FDA along with the data from studies performed 10 years ago.

Listen to what they actually and if you are still not sure, speak it back and verify what was said and what is meant.  That will also make your patients much safer, as well.