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EDITOR'S PAGE
behavior is unacceptable, says Dr. Neff. Simply saying, "Doctor, that
behavior is inappropriate and is not acceptable" is a powerful way to
disarm a disruptive doc without ranting and raving yourself, he says.
"Docs don't see their behaviors as you do."
• There must be consequences. Good intentions and insight don't
work. "No consequences means no change," says Dr. Neff. "Most physicians with disruptive behavior have not had meaningful consequences."
Whether it's rescinding their block time or suspending their privileges,
you've got to have a hammer, and must not be afraid to swing it. Find out
what really matters to your docs and hit them where it hurts.
• Many docs lack social skills and social maturity. They're not normally socialized or developed emotionally, says Dr. Neff. They're
made to feel entitled at an early age, then subjected to abuse in medical school as they strive to become perfectionists. "The abused
become the abusers," says Dr. Neff.
• Disruptive behavior is not about the stress that causes it. "That's
never an adequate answer. It's how the person responds to the frustration," he says. "You're not paid to be abused. Is that respectful? If it
isn't, then it's disruptive."
Say it again: Love the sinner, hate the sin. OSM
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O U T PAT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | N O V E M B E R 2013
