Gabbing Doctors Not Helping Patients
@whiteheather39 (24403)
United States
June 28, 2007 6:10am CST
How do you feel about this. I do like my long time general health care provider to engage in some personal chit chat with me. I feel it is more personal and that she is really interested in my welfare. Now I would not like my doctor to tell me all his/her medical problems as I do not get paid for that but little bits of personal stuff relaxes me. If I am going to an unfamiliar health care provider for a specific problem then a more clinical and down to business atmosphere would be OK. I tend to get nervous at doctors visits and when I am nervous I talk a mile a minute. So what is your preference: a friendly "bedside manner" or a cool clinical approach?WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Too much personal talk by doctors can be bad medicine, according to a study published on Monday in which U.S. researchers sent actors posing as new patients to see doctors in secretly recorded visits.
Doctors often wasted time in what already may have been short visits and stifled the flow of information from patients by gabbing about themselves, their own health problems, their families and their political beliefs, the study found.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070626/od_nm/doctors_talk1_dc;_ylt=AoAXoal6BgElc3MhZjNPOD0uQE4F
Photo: Gabby Doctor
5 people like this
12 responses
@eaforeman6 (8979)
• United States
29 Jun 07
I have never had a healthcare provider talk that much to me. Usualy they are in a hurry and trying to get you in and get you out.....but I can see where that could be annoying because when you are sick.....you may just want to go home and get into bed. I think if someone wants to talk thats great, but they shouldnt pus it too much....
@MusikSpieler (140)
• United States
29 Jun 07
I had braces and the nurses at my orthodontist's office were horrible. There was no time limit for each visit, so the time they spent talking was taken out of my school day. I could go there and sit in the chair for 15 minutes before a nurse came over to tell me that everything looked fine. One time, I spent over an hour at the orthodontists for something that should have taken less than 15 minutes, because they sat there talking to each other for a very long time about how they got soup last night and it was so good. Luckily I have not had this problem since the office hired a bunch of new nurses who actually do the work. One time I asked one of the newer workers if she could check my teeth because the nurse who should have been helping me disappeared. She was more than happy to help.
3 people like this
@margieanneart (26423)
• United States
28 Jun 07
I always go for the bed side manner, or will not returen. Also, age is a factor. I don't go to doctor's under 40 years old, as they lack the practicle experience, and I don't relate as well as to an older doctor.
3 people like this
@sunshinecup (7871)
•
28 Jun 07
I understand that. I like a bit of gab, but not so much they become distracted from why I am there. I also try to keep the conversation going right back to what I am there for. I want in and out first a foremost, but I don't want any wrong diagnoses either.
3 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
30 Jun 07
I hate the doctors who try to make small talk using humor. When having my yearly exam I do not wish to have small talk, just get the dang thing over with.
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
4 Jul 07
Sorry I have been delayed in responding to some of yoyr discussions. Our whole family of five have been sick, & I still am..
I am not intersted in hearing the doctors views on anything personal, political or religious. A bit of a pleasant chit, chat, yes. But that is all. Doctors consultations here charge in catergories of 5 minutes, then 15 minutes, and longer ones. Thee is no time to waste on other stuff!
Actually, this really remnds me of when I last visted my tax agent. I have met her a few times, just once a year to do to my tax, so I really don't know her well. Last year, at the commencement of my tax visit, she proceeded to tell me this long story about her boss having an affair with the secretary. The bosses wife works for the same company in the same building. I heard all th gory details. I am not narrow minded, & realise this kind of thing goes on, but was quite stunned that she was telling me all this at a tax appointment.
@jeweledbluerose (3061)
• United States
28 Jun 07
Personally, I hate being at the doctor's office, so the quicker I can get out of there the better. I do like the doctor that I have, but I am not there to listen to her talk on and on about something that I may not care to hear about.
When people go to the their doctor they are there for specific reason, and that reason is not to listen to the doctor go on and on about something that has nothing to do with the person's original problem.
Now I can see if the doctor and patient were friends and went out to have breakfast, lunch or dinner together than I wouldn't have any problems with that, but while in the clinic or hospital it should be kept professional.
3 people like this
@golfproo (1839)
• Canada
7 Jul 07
Hi,
I much prefer a cool clinical approach. I just go in and get what needs to be done and then get out of there as fast as is hmanly possible. That is my goal! Luckily for me this is what my doctor is like. In truth, I do not want to know his personal issues. I just want somebody who knows what they are doing and I certainly do not want to know about his imperfections. Demanding I know...but if you dont have your health....
cheers,
@beauty_ph (2749)
• Philippines
5 Jul 07
It not good. I think doctor need to ncourage and give patients the assurance to be healthy not to add bruden by sharing their own problems of whatsoever.
Prolonging the patients's short visit will become worst if others are on the line waiting too. It will give me more irretation if I wait too long specially that I am ill. Although its not good also to be with the doctor so short, it must be a reasonable talk or visit not to cause anything serious as per research.
God bless!
