'That's not my job,' an attitude I hate amongst doctors

Vinay Prasad, MD MPH; Physician & Professor
Hematologist/ Oncologist
Professor of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Medicine
Author of 500+ Peer Reviewed papers, 2 Books, 2 Podcasts, 100+ op-eds.

Follow me on:
Twitter @vprasadmdmph

[snoozedoctor]

As an academic anesthesiologist in an academic institution, I was paged one night on call by a nurse that needed a patient pronounced. I thought that was an unusual call and not something I'd ever been called to do before. "Did you call the in-house intern on call?" She said she did and that he refused to do it because "that's not my job." So, I went and did it, and then sent an email to his program director the next morning about it. The program director's reply, "it's not his job." I shot back, "when I was a resident, if someone said they needed me, I went."
Times have changed.

[mamasankiley]

“It’s part of being a Human Being.”
👏🏻🏆👏🏻

[DaemonGeek]

Vinay, as a neurosurgeon, I agree with you 100%. Every patient should feel that their complaints are being heard by their treating staff, no matter whether it is the nurse aide, nurse, attending physician or surgeon. I will pour my patients their water if their cup is empty and they ask for it. If they ask for me to help them get a drink of water through a straw from their cup, I will help them out. It is not a requirement that I do this as their neurosurgeon; it is a requirement of me as a decent human being to lend aid to people who request it, and it is in my power to lend that aid.

[ideasmatter]

I’m glad I work in a hospital where this is a highlighted part of the culture. Show a lost visitor the way to where they need to go. Find answers to questions that seem off-topic. Get the water. Get the coffee and ask them how they take it.
And you know what? When you build rapport with patients and families, stress decreases, and the patient does better. It is so easy in interventional medicine to overlook the emotional well-being of the clients!

[suede__]

Also being a doctor isn’t just you solving a health puzzle, it’s about building trust and respect. It’s also part of a business and you’ll lose patients if you treat yourself as royalty.

[szud]

As a physician of more than 30 years, I completely agree with you!

[mjhsc]

1. Knowing where to get the pillows, sheets, water and most importantly warm blankets will make patients like you and nurses love you. It’s your job to care for the patient. We thankfully don’t have to touch the Pyxis, we can get the coffee.

2. One of my more humbling moments was doing a consult on a patient who was on hospice for cervical cancer and since she was there and had a GYN condition a GYN consult to say follow plan was a necessity. I’m pretty sure she didn’t really understand that I was the doc, but I was the lady in scrubs and she needed a bed bath so I helped her out with it. I was the attending. I was exhausted because it was 9 at night, but you know what I wasn’t? Dying of cancer. In that moment, it was the only service I could provide this woman. It’s very humbling.

[jpcolindesign]

If I were in hospital, YOU are exactly the kind of doctor I would want! Thanks for being a decent human being!

[BigDawgCAM]

As a medical student at a top school, I’m routinely disgusted by the percentage of physicians and colleagues who think themselves above doing basic things for patients

[jeanphillips]

It is beneath no one to act as a true loving and compassionate human being and a title does not negate that simplistic deed.

Thank you Vinay for being so real and saying it like it is!

Why are people and our world becoming so unnecessarily hardened???

[rnbham]

Just when I thought I couldn't love you anymore!!! WOW...THIS!!! I'm a new NP but I've been an RN for a long time...this is something everyone should abide by INCLUDING PHYSICIANS!!! Our attitude should be we GET to serve these people. 💯 Thanks for keeping it real!!

[alexmckenzie]

Hi Vinay, you are SOOOO right on this! Patients are vulnerable people who rely on others - those involved with them, at whatever level, should show them they care. That is REAL professionalism.

[edc]

i am an IT system engineer and 80-90% of my job is customer service. the computer/server/network stuff is the easy part.

[lize]

Oohhh preach brother!! Goodness you are putting into words the arrogance and pride that poisoned medicine.

[monicamolloy]

Thank you again Vinay. I watch all of your videos (even the oncology ones … My training is as a psych NP.) “Caring” … An attending I had the privilege to work with both in Boston, and subsequently here in Charleston in 1987 who used to ask out residents and interns, “is that the care you would prescribe for your “Uncle Charley?” In Boston, we worked in a VA Medical Center— I will never forget his words and sentimentnnsentiment— even though he rose to Medical Director, moved to the Ralph A Johnson VA here in Charleston, then up, up up in the VA system. I appreciate your comments today, they reminded me of a long ago place in time. Best Regards, Monica.

[jodisteed]

Bravo!!! As a nurse practitioner I always ask before I leave the room if there is anything I can do or get for you before I leave? It cost me nothing and is a comfort to the patient

[Natalie-esdc]

You’re great. It’s a sign of our squalid times that need a video addressing this.

[darlenebartos]

Love you, Vinay! Simple gestures help the patient so much!

[DrJuanTaco]

I feel like its part of the curriculum now, the art of deflection and laziness. We wonder how we lost control of healthcare....

[irenenavarrette]

Bless you Dr. Prasad! Now that is a Doctor ! I wouldn't ask a doctor, but knowing there are great doctors like you is awesome!❤❤❤❤❤❤