Choosing a Doctor You like Can Be Important for Your Health

Doctors are just people like the rest of us, and there will be people who we like and don't like. Sometimes we might take a disliking to somebody for a frivolous reason; maybe they remind us of somebody else. Other times though there might be good reasons for why we don't feel comfortable with a doctor. It now seems that there might be good reason to pay attention to these feelings; choosing a doctor who seems rude might actually be damaging to your health. This is because if a doctor is discourteous to patients then it may be that they are also rude to their colleagues as well. If this happens then it can mean a very bad working atmosphere; for example a rude surgeon can cause increased tension in an operating theatre and make it more likely that mistakes will happen.

Why Choosing a Doctor Who Seems Likable is Important

An editorial that has recently been published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) has found that a hostile working environment can put the safety of patients at risk. An editorial by Rhona Flin, from the University of Aberdeen, used numerous examples of how dealing with rude colleagues can lead to mistakes being made on the job. People just can't function well when they have to deal with confrontational co-workers. Hospital staff members have to put up with enough pressure already without this added stressful distraction.

This would seem to be a good reason to choose a doctor who is likable. If they are able to put you at ease then hopefully they will be able to get on well with their colleagues. Of course there will be some doctors who can show their best side to patients but still prove hard to work with. Those who are rude though, may well be like this with everyone.

Some Final Thoughts About Choosing A doctor Who is Likable

We all have our bad days and even the best doctors might be so under pressure that they come across as a bit abrupt; this is understandable. On the other hand, a doctor who always seems to be this way with you is likely to be that way with everyone else as well. This is the type of individual who may be making life difficult for colleagues and causing mistakes to be made.

Sources

British Medical Journal - Rudeness at work (accessed 9^th July 2010)

Time - In medicine, rudeness may hurt more than feelings (accessed 9^th July 2010)