Talking Trash

One of the earliest lessons taught to medical students involves professional conduct: Never speak ill of a fellow physician.

Alright conspiracy theorists, settle down! This is not some kind of lame defense for unethical physicians who conceal the mistakes of other doctors.

Doctors should not trash other physicians, plain and simple.

A recent visitor to the WebMD Vision & Eye Disorder Message Board related how a new contact lens provider criticized the contact lens prescription from a predecessor. It appeared to be a transparent effort by Doctor #2 to effectively assign blame to Doctor #1 for the patient's current eye discomfort. It's a tempting proposition.

Maybe it was true, perhaps Doctor #1 is a troll.

Then again, perhaps that contact lens prescription was exactly what the patient needed back in 1998! Things change.

It's hard to know, isn't it?

Here's why badmouthing is unacceptable in the medical profession:

• It does not elevate the quality patient care or the practice of medicine


• It may unfairly harm the reputation of innocent physicians


• Such comments are often inaccurate or based on limited information


• Badmouthing is disrespectful to the patient (who may still harbor favorable feelings for the previous doctor)


• It does not inspire confidence, merely cynicism, as patients begin to suspect the competency of all health care providers


• It is unnecessarily alarming to patients (If Doctor #2 badmouths Doctor #1 then what must Doctor #2 have to say about me?)

Truth be told, although badmouthing may be used to escape a temporary conflict, over the long haul it will create far more problems for all concerned.

What about the real-world situation when Doctor #2 discovers a problem likely attributable to Doctor #1? There is a truthful, accurate, non-hurtful way to explain everything. Trashing a colleague is dangerous - it wastes time, it usually generates hostility and it does not advance the patient's care. In cases of suspected malpractice, physicians know the proper steps to take to notify authorities and to thoughtful ways educate any injured parties.

Oh, yeah, this advice applies not only to physicians. Badmouthing is a bad habit for everyone. Instead, speak well, speak what you know to be true. Can you handle the truth?

Related Topics:

• Choosing an Eye Doctor
• Medical Errors Still a Problem

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