Doctor said a bad word, faces loss of license

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by Raven

Maybe the reason she is so upset is because she came to the doctor's office for something other than her weight. Then the Doc took it upon himself to bring up her obesity. I could see that offending her.

I would argue that most areas of medicine (maybe all) have a responsibility to the entire patient, and not just the specific problem that brought them in. Now, if someone was very distraught about a possible dangerous situation, I could understand deferring that discussion. However, if a doctor continued to ignore that issue or any other serious health risk, they would be putting themselves at risk for being charged with malpractice. Not to mention the moral obligation.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Raven

Maybe the reason she is so upset is because she came to the doctor's office for something other than her weight. Then the Doc took it upon himself to bring up her obesity.

Still, I think even that scenario goes back to a "change doctors" answer, not something that belongs in front of a review board of any sort. That's not a medical issue you're describing, it's a consumer choice issue.

She also should bear a certain responsibility for heading the conversation off at the pass, or failing that, get up & walk out. I seeing that as something similar to the anti-smoking lectures/rants that doctors have a tendency to do. That's not why I'm at a doctor & when they start, I tell them so in very straightforward terms ("I know you feel like you have to do this, but please accept my word that I've heard it all before & that a repeat will accomplish absolutely nothing beyond wasting your time & annoying me, the patient/customer"). I've never had a doctor go beyond that point on the subject, and I've never had one be anything worse than briefly confused by it. Heck, I've never seen the slightest sign that it angered/upset/irritated them, and have even gotten a few chuckles out of it.