Do Doctors Love Their Patients or Show Bias?

While the idea of a doctor ldquo;lovingrdquo; all their patients may seem ideal, it is not always a realistic expectation. Doctors, like many professionals, must maintain a certain level of detachment to ensure that their personal feelings do not interfere with their professional responsibilities. However, biases and judgments can still exist among healthcare providers, influencing how they interact with and treat their patients.

Understanding Professionalism in Healthcare

As a mechanic shared with me, ldquo;You don’t need to like all your clients; you just need to fix their cars.rdquo; Similarly, doctors do not need to love or even like their patients but must treat them with respect and professionalism. This detachment allows them to provide the best care possible, even when dealing with challenging or unpleasant patients.

Making Personal Biases and Judgments

It is important to recognize that unprofessional behavior and biases are not always based on differences in religion, race, sexuality, culture, or gender. These factors are certainly not traits doctors may consciously or unconsciously judge their patients by. However, biases can certainly be formed based on a patientrsquo;s demeanor, actions, or perceived character. As a nurse aide in a hospital, I observed that more courteous and kind individuals received the same level of care as those who were less pleasant to be around. The key is to maintain a professional attitude and treat all patients equally.

Personal Experiences and Professional Challenges

I have had direct experiences that highlight the need for clinical detachment in a medical setting. For instance, a deeply personal situation involved administering emergency anesthetic services to someone I had had a brief romantic relationship with and with whom I had worked occasionally. One night after her emergency C-section, I stayed with her in the semi-ICU. Her husband, a trauma surgeon, and her family thanked me profusely for my assistance and vigilance. Yet, the incident weighed heavily on me because I knew I had been emotionally distracted by the circumstances, compromising my performance.

This example serves to illustrate that while some doctors may experience emotional conflicts, many strive to maintain a professional focus. Over time, doctors must learn to operate with an emotionally-detached personality, which can be both a strength in their professional lives and a challenge in their personal lives. This detachment can shield them from being swayed by biases, making them more reliable and effective clinicians.

Striking a Balance

To summarize, doctors should be aware that a percentage of their patients may dislike them, not due to bias but because they are staying because of reputation, convenience, or other factors. The goal should be to provide the best care possible without letting personal feelings affect professional performance. By avoiding the concept of patient ldquo;loverdquo; and instead fostering clinical detachment, doctors can create an inclusive and unbiased environment for all patients.

Remember, maintaining a professional and unbiased approach ensures that healthcare providers can deliver the best care to every patient, regardless of personal bias or discomfort.

~Chris