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melanie
Student
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What is the average way patients treat the staff, peers, and yourself normally in your workplace setting in the medical field ?
I have always wondered how most patients are in the Medical Field. I have heard many stories about rude patient experiences. How did one handle it? What does one say?
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4 answers
Anna Bernal
Recruiter
60
Answers
Oviedo, Florida
Updated
Anna’s Answer
Hey Melanie,
I would say this really depends on the situation. For the most part from my experience, patients have been kind and have shown appreciation. The most important part if a patient does get rude or frustrated is I remind myself that they are in the most vulnerable state and that they are not taking it out on you in a personal way but being scared and unsure of what may be going on with them or a family member they may be with.
I would say advocating for yourself that if a patient is treating you in an uncomfortable way, talking to your supervisor is also very important.
I would say this really depends on the situation. For the most part from my experience, patients have been kind and have shown appreciation. The most important part if a patient does get rude or frustrated is I remind myself that they are in the most vulnerable state and that they are not taking it out on you in a personal way but being scared and unsure of what may be going on with them or a family member they may be with.
I would say advocating for yourself that if a patient is treating you in an uncomfortable way, talking to your supervisor is also very important.
Cameron Z.
9
Answers
Updated
Cameron’s Answer
Hello Melanie,
The majority of patients are respectful and gives benefit of the doubt to healthcare workers. With that being said, it's all about context on why patients and their loved ones are rude or impolite. I used to work at a memory care unit taking care of people who dementia. And we had some residents that were more aggressive towards when staff were providing care(ex: toileting, feeding etc). Shifts in mood is typical with those who have dementia.
From what I have learned working in healthcare, patients view you as a silhouette, not a person. Patients don't you personally, they don't know your life story. But they see you are either helping them get better or not helping them get better even when you are doing your best. Even when they see you as an angel doing god's work. That may sound dehumanizing and there will be cases where patients will get under your skin. But you also have to stand your ground and not let patients walk all over you. You aren't their personal caregiver(unless you are their personally assigned HCA) you have 5,10,15 patients you will be assigned to provided care too.
The majority of patients are respectful and gives benefit of the doubt to healthcare workers. With that being said, it's all about context on why patients and their loved ones are rude or impolite. I used to work at a memory care unit taking care of people who dementia. And we had some residents that were more aggressive towards when staff were providing care(ex: toileting, feeding etc). Shifts in mood is typical with those who have dementia.
From what I have learned working in healthcare, patients view you as a silhouette, not a person. Patients don't you personally, they don't know your life story. But they see you are either helping them get better or not helping them get better even when you are doing your best. Even when they see you as an angel doing god's work. That may sound dehumanizing and there will be cases where patients will get under your skin. But you also have to stand your ground and not let patients walk all over you. You aren't their personal caregiver(unless you are their personally assigned HCA) you have 5,10,15 patients you will be assigned to provided care too.
Isabel Dominguez
Student
101
Answers
Corning, California
Updated
Isabel’s Answer
Hello there, Melanie!
In the world of healthcare, the majority of our patients show kindness and appreciation towards both staff and their fellow patients. However, there are times when some may come across as challenging or even abrasive, often due to factors like stress, fear, or physical discomfort. Navigating these situations calls for a good dose of patience, understanding, and professional conduct.
It's absolutely vital to lend an attentive ear, maintain a serene demeanor, and refrain from taking their actions to heart. Employing techniques to defuse tension and communicating with clarity and kindness can be really beneficial. It's equally important to establish boundaries in a courteous yet assertive manner. For instance, you could say something like, "I can see you're distressed, and I'm here to assist you, but I need you to express yourself in a calm manner," can work wonders.
Fostering a supportive atmosphere within the team ensures that all members feel equipped and confident to manage such challenging encounters.
In the world of healthcare, the majority of our patients show kindness and appreciation towards both staff and their fellow patients. However, there are times when some may come across as challenging or even abrasive, often due to factors like stress, fear, or physical discomfort. Navigating these situations calls for a good dose of patience, understanding, and professional conduct.
It's absolutely vital to lend an attentive ear, maintain a serene demeanor, and refrain from taking their actions to heart. Employing techniques to defuse tension and communicating with clarity and kindness can be really beneficial. It's equally important to establish boundaries in a courteous yet assertive manner. For instance, you could say something like, "I can see you're distressed, and I'm here to assist you, but I need you to express yourself in a calm manner," can work wonders.
Fostering a supportive atmosphere within the team ensures that all members feel equipped and confident to manage such challenging encounters.
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1913
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello again, Melanie !
I see that you are very concerned about this issue as you have asked about it twice today. That is perfectly fine and I am very open to giving you more advice. I agree with advisor Isabel in that most patients you will encounter are pretty much not going to give you any trouble.
To be a doctor or any position in the medical and even dental field, one starts out with an innate love for humanity. Once you have that, you will be focused on your role and not about things that may happen in the future. It would be very distracting and intimidating to try to be a medical professional if you are always worried. There will be serious emergencies, there will be times when law enforcement need to be called, there will be life and death situations, but that's not to say that you wouldn't be able to handle it. And as Isabel so truthfully points out, most of your patients will be neutral and concerned about their health. If you do get a patient that is rude, your professional demeanor and your understanding of human nature will be what makes you handle it.
It is not possible to predict or shadow the stories of others or even to tell of an "average way" people will be when you are working with them. Like many other professions, things happen spontaneously. As a social service case manager in the past, my co-workers and I have had serious situations and how to handle it will depend on what the issue is and who the patient or client is. You just can't generalize about this. If you approach Medical School with fear of unknown outcomes, you're just going to feel anxious about it. There are many, many safety measures and security in medical places that are in place to intervene in any necessary situations. Worry about how patients talk or treat you can be a huge barrier that could hold you back for a career that you really love.
We learn how to manage all types of people with life experience. The more different types of people you are around, you will learn the best way to handle things and various situations. But I do sense that you are very worried about this one aspect of becoming a medical professional. I would also like to mention that you would be having training and in-services and sometimes these are on emergency subjects. Your employer will want everyone to be on the same page during times of unusual situations. As for mere rudeness from a patient, the important thing for you to do is to expedite the initial communication, do the exam, diagnose and communicate the treatment. You will know what to do if things escalate or get serious.
I hope this helps a bit and that you can focus on learning more about the career you want. Many medical students do have specific worries so do whatever you can to overcome what you imagine patients to be like and take things a step at a time. If you feel that you really do not want to have a career in which you cannot predict how things will be, it is okay to start looking into other careers, too. No matter which career we all go into, there are the possibilities of emergencies or unwanted surprises so really think about the importance of being open to it all or make a decision eventually that will be best for you.
You can re-read the advice that I left for you about this earlier today when you inquired. I left a link to it for you below. Best wishes and I think in time your worrisome thoughts will fade away !
THE ADVICE I SHARED WITH YOU EARLIER TODAY https://www.careervillage.org/questions/943959/what-do-you-recommend-to-mentally-prepare-myself-with-when-it-comes-to-dealing-with-difficult-patients
I see that you are very concerned about this issue as you have asked about it twice today. That is perfectly fine and I am very open to giving you more advice. I agree with advisor Isabel in that most patients you will encounter are pretty much not going to give you any trouble.
To be a doctor or any position in the medical and even dental field, one starts out with an innate love for humanity. Once you have that, you will be focused on your role and not about things that may happen in the future. It would be very distracting and intimidating to try to be a medical professional if you are always worried. There will be serious emergencies, there will be times when law enforcement need to be called, there will be life and death situations, but that's not to say that you wouldn't be able to handle it. And as Isabel so truthfully points out, most of your patients will be neutral and concerned about their health. If you do get a patient that is rude, your professional demeanor and your understanding of human nature will be what makes you handle it.
It is not possible to predict or shadow the stories of others or even to tell of an "average way" people will be when you are working with them. Like many other professions, things happen spontaneously. As a social service case manager in the past, my co-workers and I have had serious situations and how to handle it will depend on what the issue is and who the patient or client is. You just can't generalize about this. If you approach Medical School with fear of unknown outcomes, you're just going to feel anxious about it. There are many, many safety measures and security in medical places that are in place to intervene in any necessary situations. Worry about how patients talk or treat you can be a huge barrier that could hold you back for a career that you really love.
We learn how to manage all types of people with life experience. The more different types of people you are around, you will learn the best way to handle things and various situations. But I do sense that you are very worried about this one aspect of becoming a medical professional. I would also like to mention that you would be having training and in-services and sometimes these are on emergency subjects. Your employer will want everyone to be on the same page during times of unusual situations. As for mere rudeness from a patient, the important thing for you to do is to expedite the initial communication, do the exam, diagnose and communicate the treatment. You will know what to do if things escalate or get serious.
I hope this helps a bit and that you can focus on learning more about the career you want. Many medical students do have specific worries so do whatever you can to overcome what you imagine patients to be like and take things a step at a time. If you feel that you really do not want to have a career in which you cannot predict how things will be, it is okay to start looking into other careers, too. No matter which career we all go into, there are the possibilities of emergencies or unwanted surprises so really think about the importance of being open to it all or make a decision eventually that will be best for you.
You can re-read the advice that I left for you about this earlier today when you inquired. I left a link to it for you below. Best wishes and I think in time your worrisome thoughts will fade away !
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