Discussion a doctor threatened to call the police on me. (self.singapore)
submitted 3 hours ago * by lilacana
my doctor threatened to call the police on me..
*disclaimer, i know how serious covid is.. *THIS HAPPENED 2 MONTH AGO, before wearing masks are mandatory. *im 20 and he is 35+ (called up the clinic to ask) *the reason why I posted this was due to the rise of covid amongst the migrant workers.
one month ago, i went to a doctor in clementi to get my wounds fixed up primary reason. (one of doctors under my insurance)..
The nurses did not ask if i had flu symptoms, just checked for fever and whether I came into contact with covid-19 diagnosed patients.
while i was waiting there, a migrant worker came in seeking treatment for his flu. he was coughing with mask. the nurses looked at him and said “the consultation is $60+ without medicine. if you can pay then register. if not then go consider first. we are open 24h”
the recent surge in cases got me thinking of this incident again. what if he was the carrier of the virus into the foreign worker dormitories, bc he was refused treatment just bc he can’t afford to.
I went into the room, told the doctor i was there to dress my wounds up.. since my insurance was paying I told him I have abit of phlegm as well. the doctor immediately told me to get out and wear a mask.. taken aback, I informed him I did not know I had to wear a mask bc your nurses did not inform me AND i thought of myself.. phlegm was a symptom? He shouted that i was being very socially irresponsible. something he used very often during this whole time
I stood up and went out to get a mask, he shouted at me to get all my belongings with me saying that it’s contagious and he didn’t want it on his table. and how socially irresponsible i was. oh and he chased my boyfriend who was in the room out as well.
the nurses gave me those surgical ones that u have to tie.. i took the mask and returned to the room alone while trying to tie the mask.
he AGAIN shouted at me to get out and come back when it’s tied.. I was so taken aback, I asked him why is he talking to me this way. I’m just trying to comply with all his demands despite not being informed to. He told me I should know since I signed a declaration (I DID NOT, the nurses just verbally asked me) According to the infectious disease act this is unacceptable (he kept quoting this). I explained I didn’t know and that I was sorry, he shouted “ILL SCOLD THE NURSES” and shouted something to the nurses through the window.
he raised his voice at me again. feeling very very very unsafe i asked if I record this consultation. firstly, He did not act like a doctor shld. secondly, i was physically smaller, younger too. lastly, he chased my boyfriend out of the room.
He immediately stood up, went outside and started to shout at me in front of the whole clinic (a small clinic but filled with people). He told my boyfriend i was causing a lot of trouble and he will not be seeing me. In front of everyone, he pointed at me and said I was endangering everyone bc i don’t want to wear a mask. citing that he will be forgoing the patient doctor agreement bc i was a troublemaker.
The entire time I was still trying to tie the damn mask with strings.
I was shock and tearing up. I told him he should not be talking to a patient like that. and showed him I was trying to tie my mask!!!! I asked for his name. He immediately threatened to call the police on me. I left the clinic completely shocked and scarred.
Not long after, the nurses called me to come back and gave me his name. Told me that they support me if I’m going to report him bc they couldn’t stand him too.
If you be quoting the infectious disease act and how socially irresponsible I was constantly, why did u turn me away for consultation? What if I really had covid? you just knowingly pushed a patient with covid to the public, a ticking time bomb waiting to infect others and further spreading the disease??
AND If my symptoms were so serious that I must be wearing a mask, why did u chase me back to the public? since you chased me back the public, meaning my symptoms weren’t severe, why did u insist I had to wear mask?
I know this is a stressful time for all, shouldn’t the people at the front line not be panicking this way? at the point of time, our government was telling us to not panic, yet the very people that is treating us is panicking. If you’re going to panic so badly, please please please don’t be a doctor at this period.
I know not all doctors are like him, but damn, when I see ads on thanking our front line workers, i immediately think of him, anxiety all.
What should I do?
See other Redditors' comments :
best
level 1
84 points · 2 hours ago
You can report him to the Singapore Medical Council for his unprofessionalism.
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
level 1
yahoo!
46 points · 2 hours ago
there are ways to get your message across without intimidating someone or in a threatening tone.
I've seen a physician like this before, says he's a doctor but acts like a gangster.
times like this, just take a step back, avoid the doctor, de-escalate the situation, leave and then write a formal complaint. accept that even doctors can be unreasonable people. who knows what kind of background they came from if they act like this in public?
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
level 1
37 points · 2 hours ago
Just report him. Even the nurses have said they'll support you. There's no way you lose this if you recount the incident as you have done here. If you let this fucker get away, he'll continue his behavior with other patients.
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
level 1
Flat is Justice.
15 points · 2 hours ago
Seems rather unprofessional of the doctor.
Nevertheless, as the patient, you're probably not at fault for anything then (2 months ago).
If anything, the clinic staff should have properly briefed or checked you of all necessary actions or declarations (if any) before you even stepped in.
Perhaps just find another doctor.
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
level 1
8 points · 2 hours ago
Amazing how he even gets business with this kind of attitude... you did nothing wrong. You should report him to SMC (Singapore Medical Council).
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
level 1
7 points · 1 hour ago
You can submit a complaint here:https://www.healthprofessionals.gov.sg/smc/information-for-public-patients/submitting-a-complaint
If that's too troublesome, write a letter to the clinic with the details. He won't be asked back for any locum shifts.
Search for his MCR number here: https://prs.moh.gov.sg/prs/internet/profSearch/main.action?hpe=SMC And post it on your Facebook.
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
level 1
10 points · 2 hours ago
As with all recollections like this, it's always prudent to hear both sides of the story before passing judgement.
Moving forward, I doubt the police can do much because someone was shouting, but if u feel you deserve recourse and money is not an issue, probably can consult a lawyer.
Clinic got cctv and the nurses can be witnesses, so it may work out for u in the end.
Not a lawyer tho, so don't quote me.
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
level 1
5 points · 1 hour ago · edited 1 hour ago
All are at fault. Including the nurses. Being a patient you just followed instructions.
The nurse didn't follow procedures correctly and ask you all the relevant questions. Like things could be serious if they didn't ask for allergy and such and prescribed you medicine. Asking for flu symptoms is equivalent in importance in this period of time. In this case if the nurses did their job you wouldn't have had to suffer this kind of treatment.
The doctor has to treat many patients for days to come especially in this period. He must have been very angry and agitated that this kind of mistakes could happen and potentially cause another outbreak especially when the doctor treats patients with their weakened immune system. And of course, for his own health as well. When the doctor acted out, he definitely went overboard, but you'll have to consider the harm the virus can cause if you did have it on you.
As for you, leaving out certain information about your visit to the hospital at the beginning is very concerning as well. You initially went to see the doctor about a wound and while he was looking at it you just brought up a possibility of you having an infectious virus with you. The doctor will be unprepared when he thinks he's dealing with problem 1 and suddenly problem 2 comes up.
All in all I hope you're okay and this matter can be put behind you as an experience.
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
level 2
Original PosterScore hidden · 59 minutes ago
and as you said, “the harm the virus can cause if you did have it on you”.
then why did he refuse treatment?? if i did have it, and threatening me to get out of the clinic is the correct course of action?
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
level 2
Original Poster2 points · 1 hour ago
oh.. i went to a clinic not hospital... i’m not sure if every patient have to declare what they are there for before registering?? p sure there isn’t this rule leh. and he was wearing suit and mask so very prepared
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
level 3
Score hidden · 31 minutes ago
The kind of complacent thinking will get us into trouble. Just because someone is protected does not mean it’s safe for everyone else. I can understand why he reacted that way
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
level 4
Original PosterScore hidden · 12 minutes ago
read the post before saying this
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
level 4
Original PosterScore hidden · 2 minutes ago
then again, why did he refuse me treatment if this was unsafe for his patients.
then other singaporeans how? not his patients or him then don’t care already?
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
level 1
7 points · 2 hours ago · edited 31 minutes ago
What an asshat. Doctor was freaking out/overreacting. I'd just reveal the clinic name here and expose him publicly. If even the clinic assistants are not on his side then he deserves zero sympathy. For all we know the past two months he has been aggressive towards other patients/treating them like shit
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
level 1
2 points · 1 hour ago
Report this clown. Instead of choosing his professionalism he chose to be an asshole.
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
level 1
4 points · 2 hours ago
IIRC about two months back we were in a state of uncertainty and we had just hit DORSCON Orange because of community spread. Doctors were by then giving out 5 days MC as a precautionary measure to patients with respiratory symptoms and there was growing concern about social irresponsibility because there were people were still out and about when they were unwell, and this was contributing to community spread of the virus. Phlegm is a symptom of potential respiratory issues, even though dry coughs, which do not ordinarily cause phlegm (and not wet coughs) is a symptom of covid-19, but dry coughs can develop into wet ones. By about 2 months back, it was already common knowledge to wear a mask when you visit a doctor (whether the nurse told you to do so or not) because by then, doctor hopping had also come about and caused other problems. Because of the high volume of patients a GP sees, doctors (and other patients) are at high risk when patients (not necessarily you) behave in a reckless manner that defies good sense.
Against this context, yeah your doctor was definitely paranoid. Was his bedside manners lacking (based on your account)? Yes. Was he justifiably annoyed with you? Also yes. Could he have been more patient? Yes. What can you do? Nothing. You can vent about it online, and we will say, there there, poor thing. Alternatively, if after two months you're suffering from PTSD and anxiety, you could call these good folks for some professional help and these good folks for a listening ear.
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
level 2
Original Poster2 points · 1 hour ago
thanks for your long reply and your time.
Again, if you read my post, you’ll know that I was primarily there for wound dressing
Yes I had phlegm, but it’s p normal for me and I was not having any dry cough or wet cough or whatever you said. I just wanted something to thin it out..
He was completely covered in plastic suit, wearing n95 mask and everything so I’m at higher risk than he is? debatable.
Again, I was completely complying with his request to wear mask, the moment i knew i should. and Before i entered the clinic again to get his name, i made sure to wear the mask before I entered
I cant even make an official complaint without my parents, being a minor. so pardonnnn me for feeling attacked and scarred from this incident.
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
level 1
2 points · 2 hours ago
Brother, u must know that not all docs r good samaritans, quite the contrary, many docs I know personally are in it only for the money. They all kiasi and if u can not afford or look poor, they also half fuck you.
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
level 2
Original Poster5 points · 1 hour ago
I knowww! the worst part was that when i was waiting there, a migrant worker came in with flu symptoms. The nurses immediately just said “the consultation is $69.xx without any medicine. if you can pay then register. if not then think about it carefully before coming. we are open 24 hours”
He could’ve been the one that brought covid to the foreign worker dormitories.
Thinking about the wildfire spread of covid amongst migrant workers got me to write this post!!!
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
level 3
Score hidden · 49 minutes ago
That's just ridiculous man, this sort of discrimination is absolutely unacceptable.
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
level 2
1 point · 2 hours ago
Remember to report him, don’t let him get away with his bullying of u
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
level 1
2 points · 2 hours ago
Report to smc and if you want the media
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
level 1
2 points · 1 hour ago
What a prick! He should never practice or be struck off the register. Rude asshole without an iota of manners and human decency.
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
level 1
A banana.
2 points · 1 hour ago
Yeah, giant fuckin breach of ethics right there. Report to the Singapore Medical Council.
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
submitted 3 hours ago * by lilacana
my doctor threatened to call the police on me..
*disclaimer, i know how serious covid is.. *THIS HAPPENED 2 MONTH AGO, before wearing masks are mandatory. *im 20 and he is 35+ (called up the clinic to ask) *the reason why I posted this was due to the rise of covid amongst the migrant workers.
one month ago, i went to a doctor in clementi to get my wounds fixed up primary reason. (one of doctors under my insurance)..
The nurses did not ask if i had flu symptoms, just checked for fever and whether I came into contact with covid-19 diagnosed patients.
while i was waiting there, a migrant worker came in seeking treatment for his flu. he was coughing with mask. the nurses looked at him and said “the consultation is $60+ without medicine. if you can pay then register. if not then go consider first. we are open 24h”
the recent surge in cases got me thinking of this incident again. what if he was the carrier of the virus into the foreign worker dormitories, bc he was refused treatment just bc he can’t afford to.
I went into the room, told the doctor i was there to dress my wounds up.. since my insurance was paying I told him I have abit of phlegm as well. the doctor immediately told me to get out and wear a mask.. taken aback, I informed him I did not know I had to wear a mask bc your nurses did not inform me AND i thought of myself.. phlegm was a symptom? He shouted that i was being very socially irresponsible. something he used very often during this whole time
I stood up and went out to get a mask, he shouted at me to get all my belongings with me saying that it’s contagious and he didn’t want it on his table. and how socially irresponsible i was. oh and he chased my boyfriend who was in the room out as well.
the nurses gave me those surgical ones that u have to tie.. i took the mask and returned to the room alone while trying to tie the mask.
he AGAIN shouted at me to get out and come back when it’s tied.. I was so taken aback, I asked him why is he talking to me this way. I’m just trying to comply with all his demands despite not being informed to. He told me I should know since I signed a declaration (I DID NOT, the nurses just verbally asked me) According to the infectious disease act this is unacceptable (he kept quoting this). I explained I didn’t know and that I was sorry, he shouted “ILL SCOLD THE NURSES” and shouted something to the nurses through the window.
he raised his voice at me again. feeling very very very unsafe i asked if I record this consultation. firstly, He did not act like a doctor shld. secondly, i was physically smaller, younger too. lastly, he chased my boyfriend out of the room.
He immediately stood up, went outside and started to shout at me in front of the whole clinic (a small clinic but filled with people). He told my boyfriend i was causing a lot of trouble and he will not be seeing me. In front of everyone, he pointed at me and said I was endangering everyone bc i don’t want to wear a mask. citing that he will be forgoing the patient doctor agreement bc i was a troublemaker.
The entire time I was still trying to tie the damn mask with strings.
I was shock and tearing up. I told him he should not be talking to a patient like that. and showed him I was trying to tie my mask!!!! I asked for his name. He immediately threatened to call the police on me. I left the clinic completely shocked and scarred.
Not long after, the nurses called me to come back and gave me his name. Told me that they support me if I’m going to report him bc they couldn’t stand him too.
If you be quoting the infectious disease act and how socially irresponsible I was constantly, why did u turn me away for consultation? What if I really had covid? you just knowingly pushed a patient with covid to the public, a ticking time bomb waiting to infect others and further spreading the disease??
AND If my symptoms were so serious that I must be wearing a mask, why did u chase me back to the public? since you chased me back the public, meaning my symptoms weren’t severe, why did u insist I had to wear mask?
I know this is a stressful time for all, shouldn’t the people at the front line not be panicking this way? at the point of time, our government was telling us to not panic, yet the very people that is treating us is panicking. If you’re going to panic so badly, please please please don’t be a doctor at this period.
I know not all doctors are like him, but damn, when I see ads on thanking our front line workers, i immediately think of him, anxiety all.
What should I do?
See other Redditors' comments :
best
level 1
84 points · 2 hours ago
You can report him to the Singapore Medical Council for his unprofessionalism.
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
level 1
yahoo!
46 points · 2 hours ago
there are ways to get your message across without intimidating someone or in a threatening tone.
I've seen a physician like this before, says he's a doctor but acts like a gangster.
times like this, just take a step back, avoid the doctor, de-escalate the situation, leave and then write a formal complaint. accept that even doctors can be unreasonable people. who knows what kind of background they came from if they act like this in public?
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
level 1
37 points · 2 hours ago
Just report him. Even the nurses have said they'll support you. There's no way you lose this if you recount the incident as you have done here. If you let this fucker get away, he'll continue his behavior with other patients.
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
level 1
Flat is Justice.
15 points · 2 hours ago
Seems rather unprofessional of the doctor.
Nevertheless, as the patient, you're probably not at fault for anything then (2 months ago).
If anything, the clinic staff should have properly briefed or checked you of all necessary actions or declarations (if any) before you even stepped in.
Perhaps just find another doctor.
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
level 1
8 points · 2 hours ago
Amazing how he even gets business with this kind of attitude... you did nothing wrong. You should report him to SMC (Singapore Medical Council).
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
level 1
7 points · 1 hour ago
You can submit a complaint here:https://www.healthprofessionals.gov.sg/smc/information-for-public-patients/submitting-a-complaint
If that's too troublesome, write a letter to the clinic with the details. He won't be asked back for any locum shifts.
Search for his MCR number here: https://prs.moh.gov.sg/prs/internet/profSearch/main.action?hpe=SMC And post it on your Facebook.
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
level 1
10 points · 2 hours ago
As with all recollections like this, it's always prudent to hear both sides of the story before passing judgement.
Moving forward, I doubt the police can do much because someone was shouting, but if u feel you deserve recourse and money is not an issue, probably can consult a lawyer.
Clinic got cctv and the nurses can be witnesses, so it may work out for u in the end.
Not a lawyer tho, so don't quote me.
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
level 1
5 points · 1 hour ago · edited 1 hour ago
All are at fault. Including the nurses. Being a patient you just followed instructions.
The nurse didn't follow procedures correctly and ask you all the relevant questions. Like things could be serious if they didn't ask for allergy and such and prescribed you medicine. Asking for flu symptoms is equivalent in importance in this period of time. In this case if the nurses did their job you wouldn't have had to suffer this kind of treatment.
The doctor has to treat many patients for days to come especially in this period. He must have been very angry and agitated that this kind of mistakes could happen and potentially cause another outbreak especially when the doctor treats patients with their weakened immune system. And of course, for his own health as well. When the doctor acted out, he definitely went overboard, but you'll have to consider the harm the virus can cause if you did have it on you.
As for you, leaving out certain information about your visit to the hospital at the beginning is very concerning as well. You initially went to see the doctor about a wound and while he was looking at it you just brought up a possibility of you having an infectious virus with you. The doctor will be unprepared when he thinks he's dealing with problem 1 and suddenly problem 2 comes up.
All in all I hope you're okay and this matter can be put behind you as an experience.
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
level 2
Original PosterScore hidden · 59 minutes ago
and as you said, “the harm the virus can cause if you did have it on you”.
then why did he refuse treatment?? if i did have it, and threatening me to get out of the clinic is the correct course of action?
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
level 2
Original Poster2 points · 1 hour ago
oh.. i went to a clinic not hospital... i’m not sure if every patient have to declare what they are there for before registering?? p sure there isn’t this rule leh. and he was wearing suit and mask so very prepared
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
level 3
Score hidden · 31 minutes ago
The kind of complacent thinking will get us into trouble. Just because someone is protected does not mean it’s safe for everyone else. I can understand why he reacted that way
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
level 4
Original PosterScore hidden · 12 minutes ago
read the post before saying this
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
level 4
Original PosterScore hidden · 2 minutes ago
then again, why did he refuse me treatment if this was unsafe for his patients.
then other singaporeans how? not his patients or him then don’t care already?
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
level 1
7 points · 2 hours ago · edited 31 minutes ago
What an asshat. Doctor was freaking out/overreacting. I'd just reveal the clinic name here and expose him publicly. If even the clinic assistants are not on his side then he deserves zero sympathy. For all we know the past two months he has been aggressive towards other patients/treating them like shit
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
level 1
2 points · 1 hour ago
Report this clown. Instead of choosing his professionalism he chose to be an asshole.
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
level 1
4 points · 2 hours ago
IIRC about two months back we were in a state of uncertainty and we had just hit DORSCON Orange because of community spread. Doctors were by then giving out 5 days MC as a precautionary measure to patients with respiratory symptoms and there was growing concern about social irresponsibility because there were people were still out and about when they were unwell, and this was contributing to community spread of the virus. Phlegm is a symptom of potential respiratory issues, even though dry coughs, which do not ordinarily cause phlegm (and not wet coughs) is a symptom of covid-19, but dry coughs can develop into wet ones. By about 2 months back, it was already common knowledge to wear a mask when you visit a doctor (whether the nurse told you to do so or not) because by then, doctor hopping had also come about and caused other problems. Because of the high volume of patients a GP sees, doctors (and other patients) are at high risk when patients (not necessarily you) behave in a reckless manner that defies good sense.
Against this context, yeah your doctor was definitely paranoid. Was his bedside manners lacking (based on your account)? Yes. Was he justifiably annoyed with you? Also yes. Could he have been more patient? Yes. What can you do? Nothing. You can vent about it online, and we will say, there there, poor thing. Alternatively, if after two months you're suffering from PTSD and anxiety, you could call these good folks for some professional help and these good folks for a listening ear.
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
level 2
Original Poster2 points · 1 hour ago
thanks for your long reply and your time.
Again, if you read my post, you’ll know that I was primarily there for wound dressing
Yes I had phlegm, but it’s p normal for me and I was not having any dry cough or wet cough or whatever you said. I just wanted something to thin it out..
He was completely covered in plastic suit, wearing n95 mask and everything so I’m at higher risk than he is? debatable.
Again, I was completely complying with his request to wear mask, the moment i knew i should. and Before i entered the clinic again to get his name, i made sure to wear the mask before I entered
I cant even make an official complaint without my parents, being a minor. so pardonnnn me for feeling attacked and scarred from this incident.
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
level 1
2 points · 2 hours ago
Brother, u must know that not all docs r good samaritans, quite the contrary, many docs I know personally are in it only for the money. They all kiasi and if u can not afford or look poor, they also half fuck you.
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
level 2
Original Poster5 points · 1 hour ago
I knowww! the worst part was that when i was waiting there, a migrant worker came in with flu symptoms. The nurses immediately just said “the consultation is $69.xx without any medicine. if you can pay then register. if not then think about it carefully before coming. we are open 24 hours”
He could’ve been the one that brought covid to the foreign worker dormitories.
Thinking about the wildfire spread of covid amongst migrant workers got me to write this post!!!
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
level 3
Score hidden · 49 minutes ago
That's just ridiculous man, this sort of discrimination is absolutely unacceptable.
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
level 2
1 point · 2 hours ago
Remember to report him, don’t let him get away with his bullying of u
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
level 1
2 points · 2 hours ago
Report to smc and if you want the media
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
level 1
2 points · 1 hour ago
What a prick! He should never practice or be struck off the register. Rude asshole without an iota of manners and human decency.
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
level 1
A banana.
2 points · 1 hour ago
Yeah, giant fuckin breach of ethics right there. Report to the Singapore Medical Council.
ReplyGive Award
share
ReportSave
