You Know You Have A Bad Doctor When She Tells You She Doesn't Want To Be At Work Today

(Chestnut Hill, MA)

You know you have a bad doctor when she tells you that she really doesn't want to be in the office today.

It was time for my annual checkup and I fasted for blood work to be done (I had not had a full panel done in 2+ years, and the last cholesterol reading was high...My mother had died of a heart attack at 54 and I am careful with my health.) The medical assistant was confused as to why I was asking for blood work, saying that my doctor had not ordered it. I responded by stating that I had high cholesterol, and wanted it checked. It had been high enough to warrant this doctor telling me to "clean it up" the year before, then looking at my stomach and saying, "And you have to do something about THAT."

I got my blood taken, came back up to be examined, and the doctor came in declaring loudly, "I am INSANE when I have to fast for a test." I felt insulted, so I changed the subject to something neutral by saying that smartphones (I was holding one) were amazing technology, and she sneered, "Are they smart?"

She went on to tell me that it was her daughter's birthday and she really didn't want to be in the office. I couldn't talk to her about my heart palpitations, because she was dismissive of my chest pain.

I left her office feeling thoroughly worthless, and stressed, and anxious. I am writing this out five days later so I can get my restorative sleep back.

How she became an Instructor at Harvard Medical School is beyond me.