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Eye doctor unclear on consent
Walked out of the middle of my appointment with an eye doctor. "I'm done." Left me shaking with anger and adrenaline, but proud that I listened to myself and took action. She showed no grasp of the concepts of consent and taking input from patients during the prescription check, and I decided there was no way I would allow her to put drops in my eyes. The woman at the front desk didn't charge me for the half-hour I was there, which was nice, and I did get confirmation that my prescription hadn't changed.
Immediately after I said I'm very sensitive to fragrances and chemicals, she opened an alcohol wipe in front of my face. Fortunately I didn't have a strong reaction, although it might have contributed to the adrenaline reaction. I said, "I need you to check with me before you open anything near me." "But it's routine." "That's why I need you to stop and think. I am very sensitive to fragrances and chemicals."
Later. "I'm not interested in an astigmatic correction." No response, continues asking "this one or this one" while rotating lenses. When she got to that part with the other eye, I said, "Did you hear me say I'm not interested in an astigmatic correction?" "Yes, but I'm still going to do this. 1 ... or 2?" "NO! I'm not going to do this." Pauses. Puts that equipment away, moves on to next part.
Checks my existing glasses prescriptions, notes that I have one pair 20/20, one pair less corrected, which is what I said coming in. Long long spiel about reading and being over 40, even though my close vision is perfect, read the smallest line no trouble. I said, yes, I understand, the 20/20 pair are only for driving or concerts. Continues spiel about the weaker pair being better for reading, so she'd recommend, blah blah blah. I DON'T READ WITH THE STRONG PAIR. That's when I decided I was done. ARGH!!
Pleased with how I handled it, ultimately no harm done, but shaken by the doctor's utter imperviousness to input. Are most people okay with being treated that way? After saying I was done, I asked her how long she's been in practice. "A decade." "Huh, I would have thought you would have acquired some communication skills between now and then." I mean, SERIOUSLY.
Immediately after I said I'm very sensitive to fragrances and chemicals, she opened an alcohol wipe in front of my face. Fortunately I didn't have a strong reaction, although it might have contributed to the adrenaline reaction. I said, "I need you to check with me before you open anything near me." "But it's routine." "That's why I need you to stop and think. I am very sensitive to fragrances and chemicals."
Later. "I'm not interested in an astigmatic correction." No response, continues asking "this one or this one" while rotating lenses. When she got to that part with the other eye, I said, "Did you hear me say I'm not interested in an astigmatic correction?" "Yes, but I'm still going to do this. 1 ... or 2?" "NO! I'm not going to do this." Pauses. Puts that equipment away, moves on to next part.
Checks my existing glasses prescriptions, notes that I have one pair 20/20, one pair less corrected, which is what I said coming in. Long long spiel about reading and being over 40, even though my close vision is perfect, read the smallest line no trouble. I said, yes, I understand, the 20/20 pair are only for driving or concerts. Continues spiel about the weaker pair being better for reading, so she'd recommend, blah blah blah. I DON'T READ WITH THE STRONG PAIR. That's when I decided I was done. ARGH!!
Pleased with how I handled it, ultimately no harm done, but shaken by the doctor's utter imperviousness to input. Are most people okay with being treated that way? After saying I was done, I asked her how long she's been in practice. "A decade." "Huh, I would have thought you would have acquired some communication skills between now and then." I mean, SERIOUSLY.
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It's an interesting question - how to indicate to someone that they have screwed up royally without "behaving badly" in some way. I'm not sure it's possible. I try to leave before I start yelling, at least.
This one was an ophthalmologist. (Dang, it's even harder to type than to say.) Thanks for the optometrist tip, that sounds useful.
[heh for icon, and 4y.o. self. I was seven when I got glasses, and they were big round plastic ones.]