I'm not saying they're doing it in a bad way. I don't think they legitimately want to get with 80-year-old Mrs. Rosenberg. But there's a flirtatious air that they put on with female patients that I think earns them lots of brownie points. Trust me.
Do I flirt? I don't know. I don't think I'm naturally that flirtatious a person, but I've actually been making more of an effort to be flirty and friendly with both male and female patients, if they give me cues that's what they want. But sometimes I do worry that since it's not as natural to me, I'll do it wrong and end up with some old man falling in love with me.
When I'm sitting there powerless in my little paper robe, the LAST thing I want is a flirty doctor.
ReplyDeleteCould be why I made a point of asking for a female doctor for an all-body skin check.
Don't flirt with the patients.
ReplyDeleteAsk medical questions, like how are they feeling and really listen to their answers. Dr appointments are too short for bullshit. Show you care by listening and responding or explaining, not flirting.
And furthermore... Be you. If you care about how your patients are feeling, they'll like you.
ReplyDeleteIf you don't care or find many of them annoying, they'll know it and they won't like you.
I've had a number of patients say things about my appearance or make sexual jokes that have made me feel really uncomfortable, so I absolutely avoid doing anything that might be viewed as flirtatious. Pleasant, attentive, compassionate - yes. Flirtatious - never intentionally.
ReplyDeleteI don't know about flirty, but when we were in hospitals with my son, we liked the doctors and nurses that displayed actual interest rather than those who dead panned everything.
ReplyDeleteI canceled a procedure because the doctor was clearly annoyed that I asked a lot of questions. I don't remember what he looked like or whether he flirted, and frankly, I couldn't have cared less. What I noticed was his annoyance with my discomfort. Like the others said, don't flirt. Try to care, to listen, to be patient with our insecurities. That's what makes us like you.
ReplyDeleteIf my doctor attempted to flirt with me I would get another doctor.
ReplyDeleteit is fine if it is natural, if you have to force it don't do it. Just be you.
ReplyDeleteBeing in health as well... I get it!
ReplyDeleteIt works especially well between male health professionals and older ladies.
When I have new students I always tell them I know the young man with the broken bone is ready for me to realign it when I get a marriage proposal (I find during the realingment they often revoke the offer).
Despite what people are saying here, I do see it work really well in my workplace. It really does get those brownie points, especially with lonely people who just want a bit of interaction in their life.
The last time I left a comment you said.
ReplyDeleteThat was "random" So I really hestaite to say this ,but my PCP gives wonderful hugs and there is no "sexual content" just a caring care giver....and that is what really matters to me.
I said it was random because you asked me why I was so thin on a post that had nothing to do with my weight.
ReplyDeleteIf a crusty old veteran wants to hit on me or tell me I'm hot, hell yes I will flirt back. It works well and makes them happy. I see no problem with this.
ReplyDeleteIt can be OK in situations where it comes naturally to the healthcare professional and there is a substantial difference in age to keep the patient from misinterpreting it. As OMDG says, this situation is common for female physicians at the VA. If it does not come naturally to you you should not do it, as the awkward feeling from forcing it will mask any awkward feeling which may arise because it is truly inappropriate to the situation.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a flirt, but I am friendly because that's just my personality. Male doctors and old women tend to have that sort of 'banter' but I don't think that's something I want to do or feel comfortable doing. Though saying that, it's hard to tell how someone else might perceive being 'friendly'.
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