Doctor stories: What are your experiences with diagnoses?

Benjamin Murphy2 said:brisknomad6, you're overreacting.

I honestly think Noah Vaughn3 will make a great doctor—she actually gives a damn about what she does.

And here's another thing that keeps popping up in these threads: grades aren't some holy grail of knowledge, let alone actual expertise later on. Take me, for example—I failed anatomy. Why? Because the group of idiots teaching the course thought they were gods. That doesn't mean I don't know my anatomy, and it certainly doesn't mean I’m going to order a gastroscopy when the patient clearly needs a bronchoscopy.

As for the way people talk about this stuff, it’s just pure bitterness. It’s understandable, really, when you see how every single medical mistake gets crucified on a cross, while murderers, rapists, and massive white-collar criminals walk free without a scratch—and sometimes even get a pat on the back for being "capable."

No job is perfect. Not even this one. So, either accept that doctors are human, or—if that’s what everyone actually wants—just build us robot doctors and send the rest of us into early retirement. If that's the goal.

Look, I love playing soccer, too, but nobody is handing me a massive paycheck and a starting spot on the National Team just because I enjoy the game. You have to be good. Maybe she'll be great once she grows up and develops some empathy for "normal" people—those folks who avoid doctors until they can't take it anymore. They come to us because it's our JOB. When my car breaks down, I go to a mechanic. When I’m in pain, I go to a doctor. When I drop my car off at the shop, the mechanic doesn't drive it to ten different locations for "testing" just to fix a blinker or a headlight.

Sure, they studied for years, and yeah, their pay sucks compared to what they could be making elsewhere—big deal! They aren't special; most highly educated professionals in America face the same struggle under the old system.

You might have failed anatomy, but let’s be real—you probably scraped by with blood, sweat, and tears. Most of your colleagues got into med school through connections, passed with similar "methods," and landed their residencies the same way. It's nothing new, but then we shouldn't act surprised by their blatant incompetence and arrogance.

Like Elfica mentioned in previous posts about how patients shouldn't meddle where they don't belong—in her rosy little bubble, maybe that's true. But from my own experience dealing with repeated allergic reactions caused by antibiotics, if I hadn't reacted the way I did, I wouldn't even be breathing, let alone typing here. Expecting some guy like Pero Perić from a small town outside of St. Louis to have the chance to translate an English medical journal to analyze symptoms is just insulting. And when Pero loses sensation or a limb because some professional was lazy, ignorant, or just plain careless, blaming him for not being "informed" is nothing short of mass retardation.

I know I'm not the only case; there are plenty of people out there with much worse stories than mine. But tell me: is it "normal" for a young man to lose a leg during a routine appendectomy because of a doctor's screw-up? And of course, nobody is held accountable. I'm not playing games with this stuff; doctors have a massive responsibility, and they need to act like it.

🙂

🙂

Benjamin Murphy2 said:One more thing that keeps popping up in these discussions: grades aren't a true measure of knowledge, and they certainly don't guarantee expertise later on.

Well, I'm definitely not the first one to argue that grades aren't some kind of ultimate metric. What I was trying to get at is that medicine is a specialized field—like a residency or fellowship—and it’s just impossible for everyone in it to be equally skilled, let alone perfect. The real distinction is that medical errors carry much heavier consequences than, say, my mistakes, like occasionally misplacing a piece of paperwork. 🙂

brisknomad6 said:I’m not even exaggerating... in my view, a doctor shouldn't just have technical expertise; they really need to possess genuine humanity, empathy, and a sincere willingness to explain things...

I'll second that. And Benjamin Murphy2, I’m not buying that argument you made in one of your posts—the one where you claimed that because you had such an exhausting shift, you shouldn't have to deal with someone coming in with nothing but a common cold. Look, I’m a professional soldier. Nobody asks me how many hours or days I’ve been in boots on duty before handing down a command. But that was my career choice. I don't complain about it. Similarly, I believe choosing to be a physician was your choice. No one forced you into it; you knew exactly what the job entailed. So, I’m not going to let you use a grueling shift as an excuse for your grievance.

Ah... this thread really blew up since I last checked 😁

But hey, the reality is that mistakes happen—there are all kinds of doctors and patients out there—but it feels like people just love tearing down the medical profession... like everyone is just itching to 🙂 doctors...
Kudos to the exceptions, though. There’s a thread somewhere where happy patients are praising their gynecologists, which is honestly so lovely 🙂

Especially lately, looking at Mayo Clinic... today the local paper says the director of the Mayo Clinic, Haller, wouldn't talk to their reporter, and they're acting totally confused about why... as if they suddenly decided to be fair and give the man a chance to share his side of things... right after spending the last month dragging the hospital through the mud whenever they get the chance...
Basically, it's just standard here—laypeople sticking their noses into expert business, assuming patients are always right no matter what nonsense they spout, and treating doctors like they aren't even more respected than jobs that don't require a high school diploma or any actual responsibility... I mean, who gives them the right to act superior just because they spent 25 years in school and decided to dedicate their lives to saving others...

Of course, when a tragedy happens, it's devastating, and I'm sure the doctor responsible feels terrible—who knows if they can even sleep at night—but I guess that doesn't matter.
It doesn't matter that he's a human being, too, or that he's performed thousands of successful surgeries, or that there's always a certain margin for error or complication in any job...
If someone works at a shipyard and a crane falls on their head, it's a tragedy, but nobody's pointing fingers or dragging them through the dirt. Then you have a killer who wipes out an entire family or a rapist who ends up free in a few years, yet nobody goes after the justice system like that. Why??? Because doctors are allowed to be targets, and they're brought down to such a level that anyone thinks they can say whatever they want... In a way, maybe doctors are partly to blame for letting it get this far... if they just went on a proper strike once to try and fix the situation...

For instance, my mom is a doctor herself, and about 15 years ago, when she broke her leg, a surgeon accidentally cut a major vein in her foot. He didn't even apologize; he just said, "In a few years, you probably won't be able to use that leg."
But whatever, life goes on—thankfully she can still use the leg, even if it hurts... what can you do? Of course, she was furious and hurt by how he handled it, but it is what it is. She didn't start bashing everyone in medicine or renounce her own degree because of it...

Anyway, I hope you all stay healthy and happy, and ready to keep tearing down anyone planning to go to med school, studying it, or already finished... apparently, it's all just a bunch of dishonest, inhumane, and arrogant nonsense... 🙄

Thanks again to the normal people for having a normal perspective

Look, I’m not here to bash people who actually pull their weight. In fact, I’m genuinely grateful to the staff who helped my father navigate his final days without unnecessary suffering. But honestly? Seeing that level of incompetence paired with pure arrogance... it just grinds my gears.

Angela Bailey30 said:Hey Benjamin Murphy2, I don't really buy that argument from one of your posts—you know, the one where you mentioned having a brutal shift and then someone just walks in with a common cold. Look, I'm a professional soldier, and nobody ever asks me how many hours or days I've been standing in my boots on duty before they hand me an order. But, well, that was my career choice. And I don't mind it. I also believe that being a doctor was your choice, too. So, I don't think anyone forced you into it; you knew what you were getting into. Because of that, I can't really use a rough shift as an excuse for your complaint.

I guess that comparison isn't quite hitting the mark... of course people are aware of their profession and the choices they made, but that's not really the point—it's more about how patients act... and I suppose the core of the post is about how patients view doctors and their lack of understanding... like they expect doctors to be superhuman and totally ignore their need for privacy, sleep, or food... plus, they act like a simple cold is way more important than a doctor's physical and mental health, which, you know, can't really hold up without sleep...

Basically, I mean, you accepted the boots, and he accepted treating people—he just didn't account for patients who think they can demand a doctor at any time for basically anything...

Look, I could go on forever about how society treats the military, just sitting here lamenting until next Tuesday, but there’s really no point in it. My career was a choice I made, plain and simple. When I stepped up, I signed on for the whole package—the good, the bad, and the ugly. That includes being looked at sideways by kids on the street, even if I did sacrifice a decent chunk of my health out in those trenches for their sake. But hey, it was my call. It’s the same logic with medicine; if someone chooses that path, they should just own it, pros and cons included, instead of whining about how people perceive them.

Angela Bailey30 said:Look, I’m a professional soldier. Nobody ever asks me how many hours or days I’ve been on my feet during a shift before handing me an order. But that’s the career I chose, and I don't mind it one bit. I think it's the same for you—choosing to be a doctor is a calling. I really don't believe anyone forced you into this; you knew what you were signing up for. So, I can't quite justify using a rough shift as an excuse for your behavior.

I have to disagree there. Just because someone is at work doesn't mean they should be pushed to the point of total exhaustion. It's common sense that a sleep-deprived person is much more prone to making mistakes than someone who is well-rested. Of course, being a doctor means you have to be prepared for tough working conditions, but the real issue is that patients often make things unnecessarily difficult. Ideally, there would be mutual respect between the doctor and the patient, but honestly, I feel like we rarely see that happening here in the US.

Angela Bailey30:
Well, true—but it’s really just this constant bashing of doctors that I haven't noticed happening to other professions, I guess.
Most people in America are struggling right now, no matter what they do, but I suppose picking on the medical field is just the easiest target. It's everyone at every level, making impossible demands regardless of the working conditions.

Oh, I just realized I ended up repeating someone else's point.
Honestly, I’ve had my fair share of terrible experiences too, ranging from sexual innuendos to straight-up mockery. One time, someone actually told me one of my nostrils was wider, but supposedly that was a good thing because it would make it easier to pick my nose—and they said it loud enough for everyone to hear, followed by this obnoxious laugh. 😬 At the end of the day, I never assumed a guy acted that way because he’s a doctor; it's just because he's an idiot. And I guess there will always be people like that, no matter where you go. It's not like patients are any better.

Generally speaking, any profession where you're constantly dealing with the public can be pretty awful. I always think back to those clerks at the DMV. I went to renew my ID a few months ago, and during that thirty-minute window, people were cursing, screaming, fighting over their spot in line, messing everything up and then yelling again, and it just never stopped. And you're expected to just smile at every single idiot and stay polite. 🙄

nimblestag31 said:Look, the reality is that mistakes happen—there are all kinds of doctors and all kinds of patients out there—but it feels like people just love tearing down the medical profession... like everyone is just itching for a chance to 🙂 trash doctors...

Fine, whatever. You all stay healthy and happy, ready to keep dragging anyone who wants to go to med school, is currently studying, or has already graduated. Apparently, it’s all just a corrupt, inhumane, and—above all—pretentious racket... 🙄

Once again, thanks to the sane people with actual common sense.

I agree—obviously, there are morons waiting outside the clinic doors too, but this thread is about the ones actually inside the exam rooms.😉
Personally, I’ve kicked out plenty of lowlife patients who think they have a "right" to verbally or physically assault doctors over nonsense like wait times, or those addicts who demand their specific dose of prescription opioids at any cost, regardless of anything else.

I’ll be the first one to praise a doctor's work—and I have many times—but I’ll also rip into laziness. I once saw with my own eyes a doctor refuse to see someone $667 because there wasn't a hospital bed available—everyone was busy—only for them to miraculously find time for a $667 and $5.00 piece of lead staring back at them from the barrel of a 9mm.

Neither I nor most people on this thread are trying to discredit medicine or everyone practicing it. Instead, we’re talking about the specific individuals who leave a massive black stain on the profession. That student, Night elf, with her already arrogant attitude isn't winning any hearts, and she's certainly doing nothing to help the patient-doctor relationship, now or in the future.

And honestly? Trying to excuse your screw-ups on the operating table by whining to exhausted patients is just pathetic.

nimblestag31 said:Angela Bailey30:
...but I guess trashing medicine is probably the sweetest part. It happens at every single level, from everyone to everyone, with impossible expectations regardless of the working conditions.

That’s just your subjective take. People trash everything—politics, sports, tourism, and my personal favorite: the justice system.😁 Reality is one thing, but favoritism and the constant gaslighting of the public never stop; it's happening in every sector. News outlets sell sensationalist headlines—nothing new there—they just want them bigger, more provocative, and louder, preferably using famous names to grab attention.

Put tolerance and empathy first, keep your finger on the trigger, and just do your job. That’s how it works everywhere—it just looks different depending on where you are. If you can't handle it, change professions. Simple as that.

Chris Wright4 said:I didn't think he was acting that way because he's a doctor—more because he's just an idiot.

well, 😘
I guess that's actually what the whole point of this post should be... 👍

Aaron Gonzalez4 said:At the end of the day, you just have to lead with empathy and tolerance, keep your cool, and focus on getting the job done. That’s how things work everywhere, just in different ways—if someone can't handle it, I guess they should just find a different career path. Simple as that.

plus a little bit of heavy artillery thrown in for good measure...

Aaron Gonzalez4 said:Trying to justify surgical screw-ups by complaining about difficult patients is just incredibly pathetic.

Well, honestly—I didn't even see anyone making those kinds of excuses here...
I mean, messing up an operation and dealing with a difficult patient are two totally different things—even if you happen to be operating on a tough one, I guess.
😁

Anyway, I still feel like this thread shouldn't just be a one-sided vent session without hearing the other side of the story, maybe.

Angela Bailey30 said:I’m with you on this one. And Benjamin Murphy2, I’m not buying that argument you made in that one post—the one where you claimed you had such an exhausting shift that some guy coming in with a cold was just too much. Look, I’m a career soldier. Nobody asks me how many hours or days I’ve been stuck in my boots on duty before they hand me an order. But that’s the job I chose. I don't complain about it. And I figure the same goes for you choosing to be a doctor. I highly doubt anyone forced you into it; you knew what you were getting into. So, I’m not using your "exhausting shift" as an excuse for your complaint.

I can't tell if you're doing this on purpose or if you just mixed up the two different situations I was talking about...
Are you trying to say I should just be dying on shift without any food or water?

And you honestly think it’s fair for someone to show up in the middle of the night with a sore throat? When at that exact moment, I can do absolutely nothing to make them feel better before morning. Or when someone’s been coughing for two weeks and then decides to see a doctor at ten at night. To me, that’s just arrogance. It has nothing to do with having a rough shift. Don't conflate the two...

And no, I didn't know what I was signing up for when I went into med school. Nobody knows, and nobody can know. If I’d realized I’d end up spending way less time with my family than if I’d gone into, say, law or linguistics, I would’ve thought twice...

nimblestag31 said:I suppose spitting on medicine is probably the sweetest thing. At every level, from every angle, with impossible expectations regardless of the working conditions.

It’s true that the healthcare system here in America is, well, 😬 in a bad way 😬, but I really just started this thread as a way to vent a little because things have been tough with my family lately. It isn't that I don't respect doctors or what they do... my sister is actually a pediatrician, so I'm very aware of how demanding and complicated the medical profession is. But I guess if you chose to go to med school, you should probably realize what you're getting yourself into... we aren't exactly visiting the doctor for fun, we go because we have to (okay, there are a few exceptions 😬), and when I do have to see someone, I'd hope they could show at least a little empathy and care 😠 because we aren't just cattle... most of us are underpaid—and it's not just doctors—and everyone is working long hours and overtime, and we all have families too. Most of us work in service roles, so please, let's stop constantly looking for excuses for those doctors who do their jobs poorly, lack even an ounce of compassion, and frankly, lack expertise while having the nerve to ask for bribes!

I’m not out here fishing for compliments—I’ve never been afraid to speak my mind, and honestly, I’m perfectly fine with everything I’ve said and believe

At the very least, this way I’ll know who actually values my perspective and who is just using me
Most people either stay quiet or save their opinions for specific groups—sorry, but that’s just not how I operate
Besides, I have plenty of friends I get along with regardless of the drama, and frankly, I don't need anything else

And just to be clear: I respect every profession, and every job has its own set of challenges... but it seems like so many people are just sitting around waiting for a mistake to happen so they can launch an attack on doctors (which is exactly what nimblestag31 was getting at). It really is true—and sorry if it sounds blunt, but it’s incredibly uncomfortable when I’m visiting someone and they immediately start a crusade against physicians, even going so far as to claim they advised that person (who was already being treated poorly) to file a complaint.. it’s just not a great vibe

People and their nonsense—whatever

Oh, absolutely. They aren't criticizing any other profession, not even a bit. Not the military, not the transit workers, not the construction crews, not the lawyers, not the police... just doctors. Yeah, right.