Note: This post contains mention of suicide.
In any line of work, achieving expertise demands years of dedication, lots of practice, and truly, a mix of effort and emotional investment. But what do you do when the roles switch? Like, say, a doctor finds themselves needing care as a patient?
Recently, on Reddit, a question floated around, asking doctors, “What’s it like to be a patient within your own profession?” The responses were, honestly, really interesting. Here’s a glimpse at what 22 doctors shared:
1. “As an anesthesiologist, being wheeled into the operating room on a gurney felt really strange. I panicked for a moment because I wasn’t wearing a mask, but then it hit me—I was the patient! Plus, I recognized everyone in the OR.”
—casapantalones
“There’s something odd about knowing you’ll be unconscious and exposed in front of colleagues. I definitely felt that way.”
—Jkayakj
2. “As a nurse-midwife, during my high-risk pregnancy, I had to become a patient in the very facility where I work. It was such a humbling experience, to say the least. The nurses and doctors I collaborate with saw me at my most vulnerable—I was in pain, throwing up, and, well, I wasn’t the easiest patient. I remember refusing to just lie still. The compassion and support I was shown were astonishing. This ordeal made me a much better provider, much kinder and more understanding.”
—NoMuffin7312
3. “As an emergency room doctor, I went to the ER myself with fears of internal bleeding or a perforated intestine. The physician’s assistant brushed off my concerns, and I just went along with it, thinking I might be overreacting. But eventually, I found out I was indeed bleeding inside, and at one point, it felt too late. I was genuinely terrified. Vulnerability hit like a ton of bricks, amplifying my empathy for patients.”
—TAYbayybay
4. “I’m a nurse-midwife. I had intended a home birth, but after 29 hours of labor and sheer exhaustion, I went to the hospital. One of my best friends was acting as the charge nurse that day, and they assigned her to care for me. Colleagues stayed by my side, helping me with positioning, coaching breathing, even giving massages. They totally respected my birth plan. When my son was finally born, I looked up to see three women in tears and hugging. I thought: every woman deserves this kind of tenderness during labor.”
—whataprettypony
5. “I can’t stress enough how valuable a warning is about cold hands or if something might hurt.”
—Novel_Purpose710
“I really appreciated the team who vaccinated my son. When he asked if it would hurt, the doctor replied honestly, saying it would sting a little. The nurse said she’d count to three and asked him to help count. My son joined in, and he hardly flinched when he got the shot. Somehow, their honesty and including him gave him a sense of control.”
—Equivalent_Trust_849
6. “It’s disheartening how much I need to advocate for myself, even knowing the system inside out—even as a doctor, I sometimes feel dismissed. I don’t expect special treatment, and I seldom mention my profession unless asked directly. But during my recent cancer treatment, I pondered: ‘If I can’t get them to listen to me, what hope do my patients have?’ That thought haunted me.”
—fluffycorgiMD
7. “In radiology, if I have to get scans, I try to ensure they’re read by someone reliable, since some colleagues rush through it too quickly.”
—oncomingstorm777
8. “I administer spine shots, and when I developed a herniated disc, I hesitated to get a shot. Fear got the better of me. Eventually, I opted for surgery but was too scared to take the prescribed meds. It was nerve-wracking.”
—DoctorKynes
9. “I have a friend who’s an OB-GYN, and before her first child, she thought her patients were exaggerating their experiences. She later shared just how severe morning sickness can be and how painful recovery from a C-section is.”
—CassowaryNom
10. “I was a junior surgical resident when I ended up with acute cholecystitis while on call, admitting a patient in the ER. Six hours later, I found myself on the surgical table, with my senior doing the gallbladder removal. Everything turned out okay, and we even had a laugh about it later. Still, I was a bit annoyed she didn’t save the stone for me.”
—nox_luceat
11. “It was horrific, humiliating, and painful. Couldn’t recommend it to anyone! But everyone was overly kind to me because of it, which made the awkwardness even more pronounced. This experience highlighted how much weight every word carries in this profession. I was once careful with my language, but now I’m hyper-aware. The physical exposure is no biggie; what hits hard is emotional exposure—feeling scared. I realized navigating the system is a true challenge and, above all, how hard it is for patients to get to my office.”
—SaraTheSlayer28
12. “I went to a specialist with my husband, where she awkwardly delivered some bad news. I felt myself welling up, and she continued on, seemingly oblivious. It struck me how crucial it is to deliver such news with empathy, pausing to acknowledge the patient’s feelings.”
—gothique_dreamer
13. “I had a surgery I’ve performed over 700 times. I specifically chose my surgeon because I admired her skills—she’s like a smarter version of me. Post-surgery recovery was far longer than what I usually see for patients, making me more cautious and less flippant when discussing surgeries and recovery times.”
—DrAversion
14. “I know someone in ENT who suddenly lost hearing and suffered severe tinnitus. That experience opened his eyes to just how much his patients had endured over the years. Sadly, it led him to attempt suicide multiple times due to the depth of his despair.”
—Fluid_Passage_9980
15. “I knew an orthopedic surgeon who had a heart attack. After that, he transformed from being one of the most difficult people to one of the friendliest if we had to contact him late at night.”
—sluttypidge
16. “Optometry visits are pretty chill for me as a patient! Sometimes they even allow me to write my own prescriptions. Ironically, I don’t get vision insurance through my job, so it’s been two years since my last full eye exam.”
—amyzi
17. “I had to inform a treating physician she hadn’t prescribed the correct antibiotics for my infection. That was a weird moment because I hadn’t revealed I was a doctor yet. She overlooked Flagyl for my intra-abdominal infection since it wasn’t included in the hospital’s standard orders. Just because something is in the order set doesn’t make it right; critical thinking is essential!
—Freckledmama2022
18. “I’m a surgeon and got the very cancer I operate on. Oddly enough, I felt an intense responsibility; the staff took exceptional care of me. I could see their genuine concern, which was reassuring.”
—Dr_Happygostab
19. “As a neurology physician’s assistant, I was diagnosed with MS three years in. I knew which doctors to steer clear of and realized just how little emphasis they place on patient education.”
—theanxiousPA
20. “I was a psychiatric patient before I became a psychiatrist. Not much has really changed with my meds since med school. I began seeing a psychiatrist during my residency, but she left and was replaced by a nurse practitioner. That was a little awkward! She often asked for my input, and since I was stable, it worked out fine. Now that I’m an attending physician, I need to find a new psychiatrist, which I’m not looking forward to. If they don’t ask about my life or work, I’ll have to mention I’m a psychiatrist. It’s awkward. But I’ll certainly know quickly if they’re worth my time…”
—Miss_May_1600
21. “Being on the other side of the desk is a stark reminder of what may feel like a regular day for us but is often one of the scariest days for our patients. Plus, trying to rest when you have fluids running into a cannula in your arm is seriously annoying—it stops every time you bend your elbow!”
—acceptablebarrys
22. “As someone in primary care, I really dislike visiting a doctor unless I’m absolutely sure it’s serious because I already know the expected answers will probably just be ‘some time and ibuprofen or acetaminophen.’
—ojingo446
What’s it like to be on the other side within your own field of work? Feel free to share your experiences or use the comment section anonymously!
