Does your doctor have a sense of humour?
By someonesmom
@someonesmom (5761)
Canada
January 22, 2008 1:11pm CST
Having just had an appointment yesterday, with my new doctor, I've found myself wishing that I was able to 'relate to her' better, and she to me.
It's been my goal for many years, to find a doctor that provides 'the human touch,' or as some like to say, 'has a good bedside manner.' I've always found this to be lacking, as far as my family doctors have been concerned.
I feel it's too early for me to correctly assess, how competent a doctor she is, as far as actually meeting my needs, genuinely caring etc.
I was 'subjected to' a series of rapid fire questions yesterday, as though she had no time to 'actually see me,' as a person. My whole appointment lasted for approximately 10 - 15 minutes. As I stood to leave, I 'tried' to make a funny comment, and it fell on deaf ears, as she turned abruptly, and rushed out the door of the examining room.
On the plus side, she gave me a shot, and I must say, it's the most painless one I've had in many a year.
For any doctors here, who may read this, I'm not trying to be critical, but am just inquiring as to the preferences that various people have, regarding the 'type' of doctor that makes them feel comfortable.
Does your doctor's 'bedside manner,' or personality matter to you?
Do you feel more comfortable with a doctor who has 'a bit of a sense of humour,' and can relate to you on a more personal level?
Would you rather be cared for by a more clinical type who doesn't give a personal touch?
Are you happy with your current family doctor/specialist?
4 people like this
9 responses
@mummymo (23706)
•
22 Jan 08
Definitely - my dr is fantastic, he is the same age as me and our daughters are the same age and he knows me really well and jokes with me all the time as well as being a really good doctor. One of the other drs in our practice who has now officially retired had specialised as a gynaecologist and I always went to him for my smear tests etc - even now that there is a female dr that does this I still wait til the one who has now retired to come in as a locum to have these procedures done as i feel more comfortable with him. I wish you could find a warm and friendly doctor it really does make a difference! xxx
1 person likes this
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
3 Mar 08
Hi mummymo,
Wow, it sounds like you have a great relationship with your Dr. This is so important, if it can be found. I can see why you'd want the Dr. you're most comfortable with, and he'd be worth waiting for. Actually, my family Dr., may be better than I thought. She was really good with me, when I went to see her last Friday. I'm sorry it took me so long to respond here, but I've really been 'feeling off' lately. I'm going to send you an e-mail ASAP, and hopefully do so this week. Take care, and thanks for sharing here. xxx
1 person likes this
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
3 Mar 08
You could never harass me, as I count you to be a dear friend. I've been on 'here' for quite awhile today, reading, and doing some responses, as well as 'finally' answering this one. I'm going to get off in a couple of minutes, as I'm not feeling so great again. I 'will' e-mail you this week. I'll have to leave my new discussion, and another one I haven't touched for another time.
I'm very happy for you, that you were able to have your treatment today, and hope and pray, that it'll be a great success. Please take care of yourself, and I do so appreciate your concern for me, as well. xxx
@mummymo (23706)
•
3 Mar 08
I realise I am very lucky with my doctor someonesmom! Don't ever worry about taking time to get back to me - i am so glad to hear from you! I have been worried but don't want to harass you so been giving you space but I look forward to hearing from you honey! Glad your family doctor was good with you - you deserve that! I had my epidural and steroid injection today - they kept me in hospital for hours - didn't get home until after 8 but that was cos I was numb from the chest down! lol Speak soon I hope sweeety - Hugs xxx
1 person likes this
@4mymak (1793)
• Malaysia
5 Feb 08
the family goes to 'Certified' Clinics - approved by my employer - (i get medical coverage for my children and myself).. so we dont really get to choose 'our' doctor..
but over the years, we do get 'attached' to some of the doctors in the clinic... and i guess we do get that 'personal touch'..
the problem with most of the doctors in my clinic, in my opinion anyway... are very 'clinical'.. not so friendly because they think we are there - to get 'free' medical leave, to get off work...
unfortunately, that does happen... some members do 'lie' (being sick) to get medical leave.
so as long... the company does not decide to change our clinic, and the doctors dont resign that practice... i guess we'll have the 'friendly' doctor
1 person likes this
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
3 Mar 08
Hi 4mymak,
I'm glad to hear that you do get the 'personal touch.' That's very interesting, about your employer choosing your doctors. It's sad when any doctor wrongly believes, that a patient is trying to take advantage. Sorry for taking so long to respond here. Thanks for sharing.
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
24 Jan 08
The Doctor I had before I moved here was wonderful and she was one of the best I ever had
But I have to say I am not to keen on the ones here and certainly not at the Hospital when I was rushed in I mean talk about letting the Patient know that they came in at the wrong time and then not even doing anything much
It scares me the way Doctors are now it really does
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
3 Mar 08
Hi gabs,
I'm sorry it's taken me so long to respond here, as I've been feeling 'under the weather' myself. It saddens me that you had this negative experience, when you were so ill. There is really no excuse for doctors to behave this way. Take care of yourself, and thanks for sharing.
@fianne (1057)
• United States
23 Jan 08
my obstetrics-gynecologist is very funny. i have had much fun and laughter with her everytime my check up. she knows my personal life, my personal problems and also i was even gotten to be invited in her wedding. hehehe... she is really funny. she tells the truth when she says things but she makes sure that her patients are not offended by her choice of words. she is a doctor yes, but she speaks to me as i am her sister and a friend. and it is more beneficial is she is like that because i will be able to tell her things that i am afraid of especially in my health. her younger sister is my son's pediatrician too. they are very good doctors.
1 person likes this
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
3 Mar 08
That's great that you've got such a personal rapport with your Dr. You're very fortunate to have her, and I don't think I've ever heard of anyone speak so highly of their Dr., in this way. Thanks for your response.
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
25 Jan 08
It is sad that some doctors don't make time for own patients.
Time change and family doctors don't know anything about family members.
I change my doctor if he/she doesn't have time for me.
Seeing just nurse is not good enough for me.
Personality is very important in every profession, but specially with doctors.
I would say that some doctors still make time for own patients...but are hard to find...
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
3 Mar 08
Hi pola,
You're so right, as years ago many doctors knew all about their patients, and there was a real personal touch. It's not easy to change doctors here, so I'll have to stick with this one, as I haven't been her patient for long. She was much better with me, the other day though, and yes, a doctors personality is very important. Thanks for sharing, and I'm sorry it's taken me so long to respond here.
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
3 Mar 08
I'm sorry to hear this about your Dr. We're very fortunate here in Canada, because we have nation wide health care, and it's the same for all citizens. Thanks for your response.
@TerryZ (22076)
• United States
22 Jan 08
Hi someonesmom Yes my family doctor does have a sense of humor and thats important to me. My surgeon on the other hand doesnt. Oh well at least I got one with a sense of humor.LOL Im happy with both my doctors. Im glad you your shot wasnt too painful.
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
3 Mar 08
Hi Terry,
I'm sorry it's taken me so long to get back here. It's wonderful that you have a family Dr., like this, and it's also very important to be happy with them. I don't 'usually' mind shots. Thanks for sharing.
@novataylor (6570)
• United States
23 Jan 08
My doctors better have a sense of humor to deal with me! I bring my own brand of humor right into the office with me and usually get quite a good response. But if I don't like a doctor, I don't continue to see them. If you can't relate, what's the point? I pretty much insist on having a female doctor, because I really don't believe that a male doctor can truly relate to me, my problems and my issues. Now, I know that a lot of people are going to disagree with me, but I don't care. It's the way I feel, and I don't see it changing any decade soon. Unfortunately, I have to see not only a primary care doctor, but also a gastroenterologist and a rheumatologist. They're all women. You know, it's your life, your health, your time and your money. Get what you want! My humble opinion....
1 person likes this
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
3 Mar 08
One thing I'm happy about, is that I now have a female Dr., simply because of the reasons you've mentioned. I feel I can relate better, as far as all of the women's issues go. I'm not trying to say, that there aren't some excellent male doctors, but this is where I'm coming from, at this time in my life. Happily, I saw her last week, and she was much better with me, so maybe it'll just take some time. Thanks for sharing.
@ubuntujason (196)
• United States
23 Jan 08
hey all~
what a great topic! so let's see....me and my doctors....first off i grew up not really going to dr.'s much....not really liking them. I was always afraid they'd find some made up thing and extort tons of money from me that id idnt have :P then i got hurt...
i think that YES it is VERY IMPORTANT! I think it really helps especially if you have any chorinc condition.
next my dr.'s:
pain specialist- decent sense of humor, very relaxed clinic (music even playin in exam rooms)
physical therapist- AWESOME sense of humor! makes friends w/ patients!
general practitioner- good sense of humor, always makes small talk
so i know i'm lucky, i have a great team workin for me! i think that helps A LOT!
~j
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
3 Mar 08
Thanks so much for the kind words. I don't like to 'run to doctors' for every little thing, but there are times, when I have to see one. We're fortunate here in Canada, to have nation wide health care, so it's the same treatment for all. I'm sorry to hear that you were injured, but am glad that you're being well looked after. I hope that things continue to work out well for you. Thanks for sharing.
