Dialogue Volume 11 Issue 4 2015 | Page 27

policy Consulting on physician behaviour policy photo: masterfile photos: D.W. Dorken W hen doctors behave unprofessionally, it can create more than just hurt feelings, tension and poor relations among health-care professionals. The medical literature suggests that disruptive behaviour can jeopardize the care of patients. A doctor notorious for his short fuse, for example, may inhibit staff from asking him for clarification on a care issue. Or rather than raise the physician’s ire, staff members may hesitate to make a suggestion or observation about a patient’s care. In fact, there are no shortage o