[MissCharlotte]

So I tried out the new pdoc today that T referred me to. Or shall I say I went to his office.

A nurse practitioner called me in for an evaluation. When I came in the room I sat on the couch and she came in and sat at a desk far away from me. So I moved closer. She was clearly intent on filling out her little questionaire. She never took the time to establish any rapport.

It was the most impersonal, dehumanizing experience I have been through. She rarely listened; asked questions that were intended to lead. She put words in my mouth. She talked down to me and she used examples that were, oh shall we say, inappropriate (as far as I am concerned). For example, when she wanted to ask me about OCD she goes, "Do you watch Monk?" I told her I wasn't a TV viewer but knew where she was going with the question. I should have asked her if she has seen "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" because she could be Nurse Ratchett. She asked for details of prior abuse that was unnecessary. I told her I did not wish to discuss this with her.

I probably shut down about a third of the way through the interview, no longer willing to share personal information. I just nodded and smiled like an idiot.

She escorted me back to the waiting room to wait for the pdoc. At this point I wrote out my co-pay check and told the receptionist I wouldn't be staying. The thing is I wish I had had the guts to walk out during the interview but I didn't. I wish I had trusted myself at that point. Damn!



What a crappy experience. I actually felt dirty afterward, as if I had been intruded upon.

[Kiya]

aaaw man - and you didn't even get to see the pdoc...think he would have been like her? Oh i wish you had asked about One Flew Over the Coco's Nest... that would have been a riot.
((((((((((miss)))))))) I'm really sorry that totally didn't go over well and that it was a wasted trip. =( Kiya

[splitimage]

I'm really sorry that you had a bad experience.

[gimmeice]

(((((((((((((((MissCharlotte)))))))))))))))))))))))

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience.

[Lemon]

((misscharlotte)) How horrible. Before I saw my (1st and only) pdoc I had to go through nurse screening questionaire, but at least it was over the phone. I think it is pretty cool you walked out. I probably couldn't have done that.

[chaotic13]

I hate when health care "professionals" treat me like an idiot. I tend to get a bit nasty in these situations.

Miss C, I would consider writing a brief letter letting the pdoc know why you left. I think he/she should know that you did not appreciate the way you were treated. That the nurse seemed impersonal and was unprofessional in the way that she asked her the questions. They will likely assume you are a psychotic, but at least you told them what you thought of her. Who knows, maybe other have complained too.

[sunrise]

MissCharlotte, I am so proud of you that you walked out. That took guts. I think your T would be proud too. And that was amazing how you told her you didn't wish to discuss certain details. Way to set your boundaries! What a great example you are to me (and others).

I wish you had made the Nurse Rachett comment.

I hope you will be able to let the pdoc know about your experience. He/she may have no idea what this nurse is like or how she is treating patients. At my doctor's office, I once got a new nurse who was just terrible to me. She even called me a name. When my doctor finally came in the room, I burst into tears. I told her the whole story and she told me she was very glad to know that as this nurse was a temp they were considering hiring permanently, and she would take my experience into account. Well, that nurse was not hired, so I like to think my tale made a difference. Maybe yours will too.

Ughhh. What an experience.

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When I came in the room I sat on the couch and she came in and sat at a desk far away from me. So I moved closer.

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Good Job MissC, what a way to make her sweat! I like your assertiveness but it doesn't sound like she appreciated it!

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I should have asked her if she has seen "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" because she could be Nurse Ratchett.

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ROFLMAO Oh, missed opportunities!

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The thing is I wish I had had the guts to walk out during the interview but I didn't. I wish I had trusted myself at that point. Damn!

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You don't give yourself enough credit! It sounds to me like you handled the situation perfectly. It think you can trust yourself in that you took a horrible situation and handled it like a pro.

I hope you find a good Pdoc! Nurse Ratchett just won't do.

Love ya'

[Perna]

That sounds horrible; to heck with walking out in the middle of the interview; I wish you'd stayed and given the doctor a talking to about his employee! But I'm very glad you got out of there. I'd be giving your T a question session next time you see him, "Now how do you know this pdoc? And why did you recommend his office for me?"

I love seeing both my regular doctors' nurse practitioners (almost better than the doctor :-) I had trouble with one regular nurse but, thankfully, haven't seen her for a year. Come to think of it, she worked with the nurse practitioner I saw before we both moved to this doctor (my husband and I go to this doctor following the nurse practitioner who changed doctors) and I've seen the doctor instead of the NP so maybe that's why I haven't seen the nurse. Okay by me!

And that's fine that you're unconsciously copying Monk and that's why you have OCD symptoms, we all understand that and truly don't think less of you for it but. . . .

[PsyChris]

Unfortunately most pdocs do not have experience with psychological conditions. It is not part of medical school. Even if you become a psychiatrist your experience is purely clinical. Unless you choose to obtain alternate education.

If your therapist recommended this physician I would be concerned about this NP's behavior. You should tell your therapist about the experience and see what they have to say.

[Fuzzybear]

((((((((((( MissCharlotte ))))))))))))

grrrrrrrrrrrr at the pdoc