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Thou Shalt Bite Thy Tongue

Specialize in the eyes, but don’t run off at the mouth

JACK RUNNINGER, O.D.

This column is an abridged version of “Lessons Learned” that was originally published in April 1997. (Dr. Runninger has written in some optometric journal every month for 41 years.) Dr. Runninger will write his final “Lessons Learned” column in the June 2015 issue of OM.

“You’re not scheduled to arrive here for another four years,” said St. Peter to an applicant at the Pearly Gates. “You must have had a pretty sorry doctor!”

None of us wish to be “a sorry doctor.” You need to feel you’re the best. But you can’t build yourself up by tearing down others. It’s not only unethical, but it can backfire on you.

Getting even

“I hope you can help me because Dr. Bigdog sure hasn’t been able to,” Mrs. Gotrocks says. So you examine her and find that Dr. Bigdog’s diagnosis and treatment were faulty.

Inside, you’re happy. Dr. Bigdog made disparaging remarks about you. And the Gotrocks family, leading citizens of your community, can spread the word about that big mouth Dr. Bigdog’s incompetence.

Resist the temptation. Not only would it be inappropriate; it would not be in your best interest.

“The reason I’ve come to you,” a patient once told me, “is that I’m tired of the feud between the only two eye doctors in my town. When I left the one, he disparaged the other. I hear the other does the same. Many of my friends now refuse to go to either one.”

Uncharacteristically silent

How should you handle such situations? I’ve learned to fall uncharacteristically silent.

I’d even ask, “Have you given the doctor the opportunity to straighten out the problem?” (Ninety-nine times out of 100 they had done so without good results. It made me look good without losing them as new patients.)

When you find a better solution, outline the treatment plan without making adverse remarks about other docs.

“You docs never say anything bad about another doctor,” a patient told me after I used the above procedure, “But you know, I really admire you for it.”

Other reasons

There are other reasons to refrain from ridiculing another doctor. One is that it can make you feel so darned good!

“I can’t wear the contact lenses I got from Dr. G___” a patient once told me. “Can you help me?” (Dr. G___ was prone to bad-mouthing other eyecare professionals.)

“These lenses are great!” she gushed after I had refit her with different lenses. “What did Dr. G___ do wrong?” I was tempted to get even. Instead, I replied:

“My approach happened to work better in this case, and I’m happy you are doing so well.” The feel-good sensation I got far exceeded any satisfaction I would have received from lambasting the doctor.

A second reason to be careful with reputations is that if you agree with a patient’s criticism, you could find yourself in the middle of a malpractice suit.

And the third reason to refrain from castigating others is the hope that my colleagues might go easy on me the next time I screw up. OM

JACK RUNNINGER, OUR CONSULTING EDITOR, LIVES IN ROME, GA. HE’S ALSO A PAST EDITOR OF OM. CONTACT HIM AT RUNNINGERJ@COMCAST.NET.