Doctors Receptionists- Why Are They So Rude And Prissy And Female?

[gordiescotland1]

I have encountered a number of rude middle aged prissy female receptionist over the years at doctors and dentists surgeries and I am wondering why on the whole are they so uptight and draconian? And why are they all women. I did a FOI for NHS in my area and 90% of clerical posts went to women that is hardly equal opps

[wolf63]

Did you get an appointment?

[bednobs]

it's probably because 90% of people who apply for clerical posts are women

[factor-fiction]

Have you ever applied for a post as a doctor's receptionist, gordie? Does the FOI data tell you what % of applicants were female? Probably around 90% I would guess

[Buenchico]

>>>I did a FOI for NHS in my area and 90% of clerical posts went to women that is hardly equal opps

If 90% of the applicants were female (as they may well have been) there would seem to be no evidence of gender discrimination.

[gordiescotland1]

I have applied numerous times and been unsuccesful

[Retrochic]

Because they have to put up with abuse on a daily basis and have to be assertive. They have to deal with 'regulars' who make a fuss if they sneeze, self-diagnose (its always an emergency) self medicate (tell the receptionist what they need prescribing) and if they don't get seen by the doctor within the next 24 hours go to A&E. They have to deal with the fact there may be 80 patients wanting appointments and only 60 available so have to 'triage' which they are not qualified to do, and deal with people being extremely abusive on a daily basis. Women of a 'certain age' are often more capable of dealing with these situations and well , frankly, what man would want to do that? Maybe men don't apply for the jobs in the first place.

[Dizmo]

I've applied twice for receptionist jobs at our local doctors and was rejected. The staff there are not afraid to admit it's because I'm a bloke - they just said it to my face and not on paper. Thinking back I think I dodged a bullet by not getting the job.

[buildersmate]

A rather neat summary of the state of things in the UK.

[ummmm]

The receptionists at my surgery (all female) are very nice and helpful and quite young.

[Dizmo]

Good point Retrochic - I don't think I'd like to deal with the calls they get. I certainly wouldn't want to put up the abuse some of them seem to get when they come face to face with someone playing up at reception.

[grumpy01]

As in all walks of life and occupations the atitude of receptionists is a very individual thing.At the doctors which I,thankfully not very often,attend most receptionists are very good and will do their best to get you seen somehow but one or two do have the I know best atitude.At the dentist I go its great all receptionists and staff are great and if you have toothache or a filling drop out they will try and see you the same day or at worst the next.

[Retrochic]

Dizmo -exactly - you have to be really bossy -my daughter worked as a doctors receptionist after she left Uni and couldn't get work she was qualified for, The first week she was reduced to tears by some patients and then the doctor! She hardened up pretty quick but hated it and it was just a stop gap until she got a more suitable job.

[Hopkirk]

They all go to a training camp in the eastern part of Germany.

[grumpy01]

I think you must have had a bad experience Marty.

[Retrochic]

gordie, maybe its your attitude that makes them 'prissy' and rude? I can honestly say that I've never come across a rude receptionist in NHS GP's or Dentists and I take quite a few people to appointments through the volunteering work I do.

[ummmm]

Marty?

[woofgang]

The admin staff at my surgery are all female and range in age from (I guess) mid twenties to mid fifties. One and all they are lovely, calm, helpful always ready to go the extra mile....mind you the doctors are the same.

[Hopkirk]

Marty Hopkirk, Ummmm.

[ummmm]

Lol...I didn't know who that was.

[Hopkirk]

You must be too young then