Did you have an immediate reaction upon reading the title of this blog post?

Does your physician treat you with common courtesy?

This is an all too common topic among those who frequent migraine boards, usually for good reason.

The overwhelming majority of Migraineurs I've had the distinct pleasure of knowing throughout the years would unfortunately reply "no", or only "sometimes" to my second question. My follow-up would then be "why do you think this is the case?"

WEGO Health's Marie recently blogged Could your doctor have better manners? Having had several doctors who could have used a couple of years of Charm School before coming into contact with a patient, I was hooked and read her post and the links she included.

I have always believed, and drilled this phrase into my own family...

"There is no excuse for being rude."

Ever.

I will stand by that statement and that ideal until my last breath.

It's true, I have stories that would curl your toes and leave you gaping like a hatchling sparrow. I've heard stories from others that are nearly as bad, so I cannot think that I was unlucky enough to find the only rude physicians of the bunch. I found it very refreshing that the author of the NEJM article, Michael W. Kahn, M.D. would spotlight the need for something so simple as common courtesy expressed to patients as a way to enhance the perception of the quality of care received. It's nice to be treated as a person and not a chart or a faceless number.

Something so simple.

To turn the table, I have also had the pleasure of working with some of the most professional, courteous doctors the medical profession has likely produced. I made it a point to tell them how much I appreciated their courteous behavior, something I think all patients might consider doing as well.

Have you ever thanked your doctor or his staff for treating you in a courteous manner?

Have you thanked your doctor or his staff for the appointment that was on time?

Do you smile and say "please", or "thank you", or do you offer your hand upon greeting or saying good-bye to your doctor?

Common courtesy goes both ways.