Any advice on how to deal with biased health care professionals?

[amoret]

I was lucky in that my doctors have been very supportive. If this is the only provider you can see then I would definitely print out some of the CASAA materials, and the information from the link given above, and try to educate her. If that isn't successful then definitely let the supervising doctor know, since she may not know what the NP is telling patients.

 

[DoMortas]

I got the exact same BS from the nurse at my Dr's with the exact same BS lies and misinformation, then when I tried to explain it to her, she started yelling at me, calling me stupid and many other things.. Right up until the Dr walked in. He asked what was going on, she told him.. Then he just had a huge smile on his face, walked right over to me and congratulated me on quitting and shook me hand. Then turned around and proceeded to tear her a new one about telling patients things that she herself has absolutely no idea about.

Then we had a 20 minute conversation about my plans to lower my nicotine intake. Score one for Dr approved vaping!

 

[edyle]

So I go in for my checkup today and the Nurse Practitioner asks me if I am a smoker, I tell her I have switched to E-Cigs and haven't had a real one since November. She looks me straight in the face and tells me that "There's no difference between an e-cigarette and a real cigarette. You are still a smoker. There are a lot of lies on the internet about them being safe but they aren't. I have a lot of patients that tried to get healthier by switching to them and I have to tell them there is no difference."

How do you respond to that, I wanted to set her straight but how do you do that without coloring the rest of the interactions you have with them from now on.

Obviously she hasn't been doing any real research, she also told myself and my wife that diabetes is caused "by overeating" and the pancreas being worn out from eating to much. We both know this is bull, my wife's been diabetic for years and is 5th generation diabetic.

Any advice on how to address the fact this nurse is obviously putting out totally incorrect information?

1: Sounds to me you had it right the first time: "Nurse Practitioner", Not an actual trained "nurse".
2: diabetes caused by overeating?... perhaps that answers everything.

3: If the nurseP actually filled out a form and put you down as "smoker", when you saw the doctor, that would be the time to point it out to the doctor. I'm sure the doctor would want to know if you stopped smoking and started vaping.

 

[edyle]

that's a little hard to do when she's staring right at the two iclear 30s heads sticking out of my pocket (I never go anywhere without at least three different juices, so if I stop tasting one I can change it up) The thing that irritates me the most is that I had just answered the same question to the nurse who took my vitals and saw her note it in their computer system (the didn't have an option for e-cigs and she was confused how to enter it)

Just to be clear that I understand correctly, so the real nurse did take a note but did not simply put you down as a smoker right? The nurse typed it in as a freehand note, right?

 

[edyle]

i offered to walk with the hospital physio that told me "well - e-cigs are not really quitting are they?" She lasted one lap of the building.

T

physiotherapist?

 

[edyle]

Talking to my doctor about vaping, he told me nicotine causes cancer - wrong! I got a bit offensive and explained what the ingredients where in what I vape and then started listing what was in cigarette smoke. I further explained that I would not quit vaping and expected him to support me in my decision to vape as a much safer alternative to cigarettes. I got a grudging nod.
I really put it out as the lesser of 2 weevils.
I think doctors do have incorrect information regarding nicotine because of the cigarette / nicotine umbrella mindset.
I just hope I don't have to switch docs - I like my doc even though he is incorrectly biased or misinformed. They are just people and as fallible as anyone else.

Smoking is a big big deal in the medical profession, so if a qualified doctor isn't even aware the the biggest danger with smoking is the SMOKE, I'd Definitely look for another doctor; what else has he got his head screwed on backwards about?

 

[Amraann]

So I go in for my checkup today and the Nurse Practitioner asks me if I am a smoker, I tell her I have switched to E-Cigs and haven't had a real one since November. She looks me straight in the face and tells me that "There's no difference between an e-cigarette and a real cigarette. You are still a smoker. There are a lot of lies on the internet about them being safe but they aren't. I have a lot of patients that tried to get healthier by switching to them and I have to tell them there is no difference."


How do you respond to that, I wanted to set her straight but how do you do that without coloring the rest of the interactions you have with them from now on.

Obviously she hasn't been doing any real research, she also told myself and my wife that diabetes is caused "by overeating" and the pancreas being worn out from eating to much. We both know this is bull, my wife's been diabetic for years and is 5th generation diabetic.

Any advice on how to address the fact this nurse is obviously putting out totally incorrect information?

Without reading any reply..... Go to another Dr!!!!
(nurse practitioner)
This one sounds ignorant and unwilling to do any actual research about topics even those beyond e-cigs.
If you some how feel the need to address the issue with her then I suppose you could simply ask why she feels that e-cigs are the same as smoking? Or ask her what FACTS she is basing her opinion on?

Obviously there is a difference between smoking and e-cigs. About 4000 differences!

 

[Ann48]

I'm in a transitioning phase and have cut down the number of analogs I smoke, using the disposable e-cig some. I really hope to be analog free soon, but wanted to run it past my Dr yesterday when I went for a visit to get her take on it. I was waiting for a negative response like you got or worse, and if I had I would be upset too since I'm trying to get past my own fear of change, etc and make the total change to e-cigs. Here is what she said:

"While there is not a lot out there so far as studies (or something like that) on the impact of the delivery system in comparison to other things like the patch, etc.....I believe e-cigs are definitely less harmful than real cigs and are made for people like you. So I want you to try to get over onto the e-cigs....and then we can look at gradually cutting down your nicotine level."

I told her that with being congested like I am much of the time, I get nervous about inhaling because it makes me cough (the e-cig - of course real ones do too!!!) and that I just hold it in my mouth and/or blow out nose to get the nicotine. She said "is it satisfying you?" I said no, and she just smiled and said well then that's the problem...you need to get enough to satisfy you as you make the change.

I mentioned the water on the lung thing that a post talked about on here, and she looked at me like I was from Mars . So bottom line, I have full support from my Dr to make the change....even before I've made it. So there are Drs out there who will support us....150%.

 

[-mj01-]

Make another appointment and give the Practitioner an opportunity to realize the error of her ways.

At the appointment, explain that you quit smoking and turned to vaping, but when she told you that it "is still smoking", it scared you and you'd like her to educate you on exactly why/how this is. As she brings up her uninformed/uneducated points, provide real answers to her. Maybe even bring references to support reality.

If she realizes the error of before, retain their services. If she does not... well, you at least gave her the opportunity to learn and "do the right thing". She chose not to accept it.

After the appointment, reflect on how it went - and then make another decision about your own health (just as you did when you quit smoking). In your reflection, you might find that you do not wish to trust your health and well being with someone who chooses to remain ignorant to fact and reality.

 

[Linden]

I don't divulge any information other that I am a non-smoker...for very good reason. With the new healthcare law, all patient information is digitalized and smoking information *especially* is shared with the gov. As a healthcare provider myself, I have to review patient charts often. They will document any smoking-related information that you provide and it will stay on your record into perpetuity, especially with computer-based documentation. Call me paranoid but I really don't think they need to know that I quit a "21 yr 1/2ppd tobacco use" 3 years ago. I shut that door and I don't want it opened and shared about.

 

[Fenway75]

I'd ask the doctor for two things:

1 - the peer-reviewed study or studies he/she is using when instructing his/her NPs to provide the guidance they are on APVs as well as diabetes.

2 - a disclosure on what pharma companies he/she has a contractual relationship with, in other words, what drugs are this doctor being paid specifically to prescribe.

The first one will alert the doctor to the fact that his/her NP is skating near the edge of recommending bleeding by leeches, as well as the fact that you are not a rube who will listen to anything said by anyone wearing scrubs or a lab coat. The second, which you won't get, is simply a shot across the bow. The combination of the two tends to gain and hold attention.

 

[Bryong70]

If they ask me if I smoke, I tell them, not tobacco. End of story.

 

[RugerRob]

Good thread.

I'll go with "I'm a non smoker" and thats it.

Then while waiting in that supid room for the doctor for thirty minutes I'll vape my !@# off and cloud the room up with some sweet smellin' Strawberry Custard or something...

 

[RugerRob]

I'm so diggin' it, I haven't had tobacco in 1.5 months (even tho still look for them in my pocket and on the car seat). I vape in the office quietly at my desk, vaped in the outback steak house bar area and over at long horn... See if I can do it in the theator next... BAM!

Vape in Home Depot walking around and in wallmart...

Feel like I got my indoor smooking rights back from the non smoking nazi's.

 

[rmk_kelly]

I have some back issues, so I was at my chiropractor on Monday. I told him I quit smoking and started vaping. He seemed thrown off a bit, but said it was better than smoking and congratulations. I realize he's not a medical doctor but they do have to take some medical courses and such.

I have to say...I haven't been quit for very long, but I already feel much better and I love that I no longer smell like smoke. My co-workers are supportive of it, except for one, but she's a long time smoker and is very closed minded. My family is very supportive of it too.

 

[rmk_kelly]

I'm so diggin' it, I haven't had tobacco in 1.5 months (even tho still look for them in my pocket and on the car seat). I vape in the office quietly at my desk, vaped in the outback steak house bar area and over at long horn... See if I can do it in the theator next... BAM!

Vape in Home Depot walking around and in wallmart...

Feel like I got my indoor smooking rights back from the non smoking nazi's.

I don't really look for the cigs..but I certainly look for a lighter! LOL

 

[CassiusCloud]

They asked me if i smoked and i told them no.
There is no first,second or third hand smoke involved..
her saying vape is the same as smoking is like saying nic gum is the same as smoking..
where is the smoke?

 

[RugerRob]

I don't really look for the cigs..but I certainly look for a lighter! LOL

We need a mod that requires a lighter to activate it.

 

[Maestro]

1: Sounds to me you had it right the first time: "Nurse Practitioner", Not an actual trained "nurse".
.

I'm not sure where you're getting this information. A nurse practitioner is a nurse who has taken extra training and education and advanced to a higher level of nurse who can substitute for a doctor in many ways.

Personally, I'd have told this particular nurse practitioner that she ought to be ashamed of giving medical advice about something she's completely ignorant of.

 

[dice57]

Taser and full bird salute are the first things that come to mind. I'd probably ask where she went to school, and what vape studies she got her knowledge from. Then I'd probably ask her if she could refer me to a knowledgeable and informed health care service and find some one who could use the grey matter that's between their ears.

I have a problem with a profession that practices at something, I want some one who knows and doesn't have to practice on me.