MyPoopisGreen

Rudeness must be the new thing this season. I guess I don’t understand why people feel that they are THAT special to get away with being rude, and miserable. Although, perhaps because they are so miserable that is why they are rude. It’s a tough call - and I really don’t mean to offend anyone. Everyone has an off day. Everyone has one of those days that they wish they had never gotten up in the morning. However, regardless of how a person feels, or how the day is going it should in no way give people the right to speak in a negative way to another person.

There are two things I want to address - 1) Yes, being a Medical Assistant is my JOB. However, I got into being a Medical Assistant to help people. I wanted to be the one that would be there to listen to people that are having a tough time due to the fact that they are sick and while they are working at becoming better in whatever way that is, they just need someone there to comfort them a little and to look after them. I wanted to be that person to help. I wanted to be the person for these people that I never had when I was going through some things in a different time in my life. I, being a understanding person, also realize that there are some people out there that aren’t “sick” but they still need a little hand holding and guidance and I’m happy to do that for them as well. I did not sign on to get crapped on, verbally abused, or to get actual poop sent to me because the directions are just too much of an effort to read. And while you do have to take the good with the bad in life, it doesn’t mean that I can’t talk about it in my own way. Everyone is entitled to their own way of expressing themselves. And just as the people that decided to be rude to get what they want are allowed to be the way they are. I am also allowed to express my crankiness, or sarcasm, or wit, or charm over the way that my day has unfolded.

2)Rudeness is not a right. It shouldn’t even be a priviledge. In fact, for the most part it probably shouldn’t be allowed. But then again with people’s rights and feelings and moods. C’est la vie. However, take into account that there are a whole bunch of you and only one of me. Take into account that there are only so many spots and times and areas that the doctor can see you and that there might be a few people that are a bit sicker than you are. I’m not belittling anyone’s pain or problems - but when you consider that perhaps someone who is having fever, abdominal pain, and rectal bleeding just might take precedence in my mind over the fact that your prescription antibiotic isn’t going to be covered by your insurance!!! Take a number and get in line! I will call you back. I will try and take care of your problem in whatever way that I can, you just got to relax. (P.S. if you did relax you might find that maybe you’d feel at least a smidge better…just a thought.) In the end, your problem will be taken care of, but I also won’t label you as a “difficult patient” and won’t dread calling you if issues come up in the future. Although, in the long run you probably don’t care except perhaps that you can relate to that feeling with something going on in your own life.

One of my patients once called and told me that she was so grateful for all the help that she was receiving because we at the office were actually doing her a service. We didn’t have to be so nice and take care of her the way that we did. But she was thankful that we were so nice to her. THAT is what you like to hear. THAT is a patient that I don’t mind calling back and helping out. THAT is the kind of patient that you look to do favors for. So just remember, if you can’t be nice to the person that you are talking to, whether it be your doctors office, a client in your job, or even a friend - If you can’t be nice, at least be vague. And we should all get along nicely.

Take care all!:)

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