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Doctors Receptionists- Why Are They So Rude And Prissy And Female?
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I have encountered a number of rude middle aged prissy female receptionist over the years at doctors and dentists surgeries and I am wondering why on the whole are they so uptight and draconian? And why are they all women. I did a FOI for NHS in my area and 90% of clerical posts went to women that is hardly equal opps
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Probably because they work for a state owned organisation and the customers are unlikely to complain (unlike in the private sector). Having said that, ours are better than they used to be. They are all female. We had a guy at work who was the funniest, campest, most outgageous old queen and when he retired at 55, he got a job as a doctor`s receptionist. My friend`s sister was a patient there and he was really popular (particularly with some of the little old ladies)
At my GP surgery the receptionists are all friendly and helpful, apart from one who is an absolute shocker.
I recently went to ask for a print out of the results of some test and she was the one on the desk. Firstly she said I was not allowed to have a copy so we had a "polite discussion" about that. Then she wanted to know why I wanted them (because I can[i) and then after a desultory tap on the computer she said the results were not back.
I went and stood outside, rang the surgery and the girl who answered the phone said my results [i]were] available. I then went back in and the horrible woman said "I have told you once, the results are NOT back."
There is an open plan office behind reception so I called too the woman I had spoken to on the phone and she came to the desk. She told the horrible woman the results were plainly there on the computer. At this point the horrible one got up and stomped off!
I recently went to ask for a print out of the results of some test and she was the one on the desk. Firstly she said I was not allowed to have a copy so we had a "polite discussion" about that. Then she wanted to know why I wanted them (because I can[i) and then after a desultory tap on the computer she said the results were not back.
I went and stood outside, rang the surgery and the girl who answered the phone said my results [i]were] available. I then went back in and the horrible woman said "I have told you once, the results are NOT back."
There is an open plan office behind reception so I called too the woman I had spoken to on the phone and she came to the desk. She told the horrible woman the results were plainly there on the computer. At this point the horrible one got up and stomped off!
maybe they are all "rude" because on top of everything they have to deal with, they also have to add in answering bloody stupid and pointless FOI requests on top of their normal day to day stuff?
Any gordie, you seem to be always moaning about something, so perhaps they missed a trick when not employing you - sounds like you'd fit right in!
And diz, i know this is going to sound rude, but maybe "because you are a man and you might not fit in" is a nicer way of saying "because you've got MH problems and you might not fit in" or "because"there were loads of other candidates better than you" Just because you are a man and apply, doesn't mean that you should get the job
Any gordie, you seem to be always moaning about something, so perhaps they missed a trick when not employing you - sounds like you'd fit right in!
And diz, i know this is going to sound rude, but maybe "because you are a man and you might not fit in" is a nicer way of saying "because you've got MH problems and you might not fit in" or "because"there were loads of other candidates better than you" Just because you are a man and apply, doesn't mean that you should get the job
The original question, at its heart, mirrors what we see here in the U.S. Of course, all medical offices here are private practice, but, fact is, in my experience, nearly 100% of the "behind-the-counter" personnel are female.
Problem is, for the average patient, it is sometimes difficult to tell which are trained nurses, perhaps bringing data to be entered in patient records (for which the "receptionists" are responsible), which are insurance personnel responsible for submitting mounds of paper for claims, and the remainder for which there's no clear deffinition of duties, at least by the observing patient.
This produces a division (I think) and an underlying current of feigned amiability between the various work related factions since there is certainly an observable hierarchy. The RN's (Registered Nurses) are at the top while the in and out technicians (X-ray, etc.) are next, followed by the insurance people since they are almost entirely charged with helping produce a profit for the owner/Doctors. Probably near the bottom of the heap are the true receptionists who most likely are the least paid since they have little training and many (from personal knowledge) are single Mom's trying to make their way through a difficult life, what with juggling child care, personal lives and a drudgery on a daily basis. The only qualification they brought to the pre-employment interview was their ability to answer the phone and follow instructions on the filing of papers.
Little wonder, then, that the "receptionists" are often ill-mannered and "uptight" in my opinion...
Problem is, for the average patient, it is sometimes difficult to tell which are trained nurses, perhaps bringing data to be entered in patient records (for which the "receptionists" are responsible), which are insurance personnel responsible for submitting mounds of paper for claims, and the remainder for which there's no clear deffinition of duties, at least by the observing patient.
This produces a division (I think) and an underlying current of feigned amiability between the various work related factions since there is certainly an observable hierarchy. The RN's (Registered Nurses) are at the top while the in and out technicians (X-ray, etc.) are next, followed by the insurance people since they are almost entirely charged with helping produce a profit for the owner/Doctors. Probably near the bottom of the heap are the true receptionists who most likely are the least paid since they have little training and many (from personal knowledge) are single Mom's trying to make their way through a difficult life, what with juggling child care, personal lives and a drudgery on a daily basis. The only qualification they brought to the pre-employment interview was their ability to answer the phone and follow instructions on the filing of papers.
Little wonder, then, that the "receptionists" are often ill-mannered and "uptight" in my opinion...
ach, as a fairly oft recipient of FOI requests to complete, they do drive me crazy as you have to get them back within a certain time by dropping everything else you are doing. And they do sometimes seem such muppetry as people either don't know how to frame their requests to get the answers that make sense (recent example from om one of my coleagues in a dfferent dept was "how many patients you see each year have complex needs" well, ALL of them, otherwise we wouldn't be seeing them" and so on. In your particular one, the GP receptionists are probably employed by the surgery anyway, rather than "the NHS" and would have fallen outside of your request.
I do not know what an FOI is.
However, I attend hospital regularly, and visit dentist for check ups and treatment, and also visit my GP and practice nurses regularly.
I always approach the receptionists and staff in a friendly manner and have never had the slightest bit of rudeness from any of them.
My approach works for me. Just saying.
However, I attend hospital regularly, and visit dentist for check ups and treatment, and also visit my GP and practice nurses regularly.
I always approach the receptionists and staff in a friendly manner and have never had the slightest bit of rudeness from any of them.
My approach works for me. Just saying.
I use Patient Access on my computer and phone and bypass the dreaded receptionists after asking them to register me!
https:/
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i´m with geordie on this one. I remember growing up in the 60´s, and how sharp and rude they were. I thought it was in the job description. then i moved across the city in the late 80´s, and yet again, rude jobsworth.
I´m now living in madrid, and the very same here i´m afraid the say, sharp and rude. My g´friend reckons its typical of the national health, she doesnt get this treatment at her private doctors surgery, i know, i went with her the other day and was surprised how friendly they were.
I´m now living in madrid, and the very same here i´m afraid the say, sharp and rude. My g´friend reckons its typical of the national health, she doesnt get this treatment at her private doctors surgery, i know, i went with her the other day and was surprised how friendly they were.
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