Doctor Sir, My EARS don't have a UTI!

[Athaelia]

This happened a year ago, before my hubby and I married.

I had a HORRIBLE urinary tract infection and was in excruciating pain!! My primary Dr was booked thru the week, and I couldn't wait for treatment. So I decided to go to one of those walk in 'urgent-care' places.

Now, keep in mind the whole time this is happening, I'm throwing up, flushed with a fever, and having SEVERE pain.

The nurse (or medical assistant) informed me that I needed to get a pregnancy test, just in case. I was pretty sure I wasn't pregnant, but I wouldn't mind if I was. So I did the test, and awaited the doctor to come in. As I'm sitting on the examining bed, I overhear, through the shut door, the nurse telling the doctor that she performed the test, and that it was negative. The Dr. asked if I was married (wtf?) and she said I was engaged. He said, "Lets trick her and tell her she's pregnant! She'll freak!
The nurse giggled and agreed. So the doctor comes in, introduces himself, and tells me I'm pregnant. Now, I consider my humor to be one of my best attributes, but, given the circumstances and my condition, I wasn't in a mood for ha-ha's.

So, in the straightest face I could muster with my pain, I said, "I may be vomiting and feverish, but my EARS are perfectly healthy. I heard you and the nurse from my room; and I'm not in the mood for laughter. "

Looking back, I think what they did was probably a violation of some kind, and was pretty mean! I probably should have complained!

What do you think?

[Aethian]

I think that is a really sick joke but I don't know if there was a violation. Some people are wrose then evil.

[ExRetailDrone]

I personally think that it would be a violation, too, but I'm not up on medical laws so I have no real idea. It seems unethical to tell a patient blatant lies for the doctor's and nurse's own amusement. I would look into the laws in your state and see if anything can be done, if you want to pursue something so that they won't do the same to someone else who may not have the luck of overhearing their plot.

[i4wolves]

That is so mean. I am not sure if that is a violation, but that is just wrong on all levels. I cannot believe a doctor would think that would be a good joke.

[draftermatt]

I'd like to know what the doctor said once you told him you heard him before he came in.

Couldn't tell you if it's a violation but he's certainly in the running for douche of the year.

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

First smileyeagle's story about the manager deliberately screwing something up and now this.

What is it lately with people lying just to see how somebody responds to the lie?

[chainedbarista]

i'm not sure whether or not that violates HIPPA or the hippocratic oath, but it is about as unprofessional as it gets.

report his immature ass; jokes at the job between coworker who don't mind are one thing, but jokes played on a patient (especially one they don't know) are unacceptable.

[Bright_Star]

What they did was out of line & in poor taste even if it was done in the spirit of good humour. There's a time & place for humour. A doctor's office isn't one of them.

So what was their reaction when you told them what you heard them planning?

[Ironclad Alibi]

So far the doctor's action in the OP has been called unethical, unprofessional, a violation, poor taste, and a sick joke. IANAL, but I would call it malpractice.

[Shalom]

Was I in your place, I'd have screamed and gone running out into the hall in "hysterics"... shouting "OMG I'M PREGNANT MY LIFE IS OVER I'M GONNA KILL MYSELF!!1!one!!"

See how they like having their "joke" turned back on them.

(Admittedly you were probably feeling too sick to be that athletic at the time. Still would be nice to imagine what their reaction would have been...)

[aniwahya]

Whether it would be a legal violation or not, it was most certainly a violation of ethics. A doctor could and should be censored for such a violation of patient trust.

I would file a complaint against them with the AMA (if he is a member) and bring the issue before their clinic (or health associations since some clinics are associated with hospitals) board of directors. Doctors may have a lot of leeway in regards to acting like assholes in some situations, but a hospital/clinic is not going to ignore such a major ethical breach with a side of HIPPA violation thrown in.

AMA medical ethics list is:
Principles of medical ethics

I. A physician shall be dedicated to providing competent medical care, with compassion and respect for human dignity and rights.

II. A physician shall uphold the standards of professionalism, be honest in all professional interactions, and strive to report physicians deficient in character or competence, or engaging in fraud or deception, to appropriate entities.

III. A physician shall respect the law and also recognize a responsibility to seek changes in those requirements which are contrary to the best interests of the patient.

IV. A physician shall respect the rights of patients, colleagues, and other health professionals, and shall safeguard patient confidences and privacy within the constraints of the law.

V. A physician shall continue to study, apply, and advance scientific knowledge, maintain a commitment to medical education, make relevant information available to patients, colleagues, and the public, obtain consultation, and use the talents of other health professionals when indicated.

VI. A physician shall, in the provision of appropriate patient care, except in emergencies, be free to choose whom to serve, with whom to associate, and the environment in which to provide medical care.

VII. A physician shall recognize a responsibility to participate in activities contributing to the improvement of the community and the betterment of public health.

VIII. A physician shall, while caring for a patient, regard responsibility to the patient as paramount.

IX. A physician shall support access to medical care for all people.

The nurse (if an RN)is also required to be registered and held to high ethical standard and should also be censured.

Seriously, that is such a lapse in judgment on both their parts that I would not lose any sleep over them losing their medical and nursing licenses over that.
They should follow Ron White's advice to his cousin, "Next time you get a thought, let it go."

[LillFilly]

That was wrong! Drs are some of the people that you are SUPPOSED to be able to place utmost trust in!

Report his A**. And the Nurse's. Report it now!

[FenigDurak]

I am also not a lawyer but I was the office manager for an anesthesia group until last week (hooray graduation!). You could file a malpractice suit against him if you wanted. What I would do is notify the hospital that oversees the clinic. Best case, they comp your visit and reprimand him formally. That reprimand will follow him forever. Worst case, they apologize and do nothing to him. I'm willing to bet that he has a history of this that they are aware of and might revoke his privileges to practice with them. Malpractice insurance would likely drop him for that rendering him unable to practice anywhere until he gets new insurance.

[Ree]

To all the people urging the OP to report the doctor...did any of you catch that this happened over a year ago?

[sweetj82]

wow this is soooo mean. What if you couldnt have kids or you were trying to get pregnant for years.

that lie could cause serious emontional problems