Getting called out on the job

[EconDiva]

Anyone have this happen to them before? How did you handle it?

Today I had a meeting with 2 of my bosses, a coworker, and 2 MDs. The purpose was to get the MDs support/help in encouraging patients to participate in one of our department's clinical trials. We have this one trial that's been going on for a year and no patients have been enrolled yet.

At the end of the meeting, one of the MDs, who I've met briefly before, made the comment that it would help if when they ask a question I'm on top of it. Basically, she is referring to an incident where I came to talk to a patient and got interrupted by the MDs with clinical questions about the study. I had to stop what I was doing and pull out the study protocol to answer their question, and because docs want everything in two seconds, they did not like the fact it took me a whole 30 seconds and I had to refer to the protocol to give them an answer.

Now, on one hand, I'm not denying that I should have had an answer for them off the top of my head. By them saying this in front of my boss, it has given me ideas to better help them have questions answered and know more about the trial beforehand. On the other hand, I didn't know the MD felt this way until the meeting and was offended that she would state this in front of my boss. She portrayed me as if I didn't know what I was doing, when it was more of a situation of timing. I didn't react and kept my mouth shut because if I would have spoken it would have come out the wrong way.

I think I did the right thing by not speaking. But boy, am I pissed/frustrated right now. I will get over it quickly and use this as a learning experience. I think that's the most positive thing I can do. Would others have reacted this way?

[daverobev]

Depends on the way it was said, I guess. If you're generally doing ok, your boss doesn't think you're incompetent etc I'd just take it as feedback, shrug, carry on. If they were being an arse I'd have told them to take a running jump - but then I'm not into office politics and rudeness is unnecessary.

Seems like doctors have a ridiculous workload (which is slightly off-topic) but the fact that they accept it as part of the job is what keeps it as part of the job... If they have a tough workload they have nobody to blame but themselves - no need to take it out on you, the fact they are busy is not your fault..

[DoubleDown]

It's a lot easier for me to think "what I would have done" with the benefit of sitting here with time to think about it, not on the spot, and under no pressure or stress. Don't beat yourself up over it, I'm sure it will pass and no one gave it nearly as much (or any) further thought. Sounds like you handled it fine.

Now, in my perfect world, I would have been cheerful, and with no defensiveness or anger would have said something like, "Since I was in the middle of talking with a patient when you asked your question and I wasn't focusing on the study protocol at that moment, I wanted to be sure to give you an accurate answer, so I referred to the protocol itself. I'll see if I can be faster with an answer next time." I would deliver this in a tone of trying to be understanding and helpful, but not at all apologetic or defensive.

It's probably unnecessary to set the record straight with your boss, but IF the opportunity presents itself in a completely uncontrived way, you could weave it into future conversation. Say this doctor does something else that raises people's eyebrows that comes up in conversation with your boss, you could say "Oh yeah, like that time s/he complained about me not having an answer about the protocol on the spot, when I gave him/her one in 30 seconds even though they had interrupted me working with a patient." Just don't act upset about it, wait for an opportunity to bring it up casually.

[chardog]

Makes me not miss working...

[jba302]

I work in an office setting and it's only happened a couple of times that I can remember. If it's a legitimate mistake I own up to it. If it's not, then I push back hard. That second one doesn't always win me friends.

[impaire]

I tend to address this type of things, focusing on being constructive and not defensive. In your case that would mean going to my boss, and saying something to the effect of "Do you think I should address this issue with X? I was surprised that she brought up what I thought to be a very minor incident that happened a full year ago. If this is going to endanger our relationships with the MDs, I want to make sure to be proactive about it--I've thought about this and that solution, do you think this is enough?" [just an example of course.]

Bottom line is you have committed no fault to be apologizing for, but this is a business place, and it's only professional for you to try and get it working as smoothly as possible, even when you have to deal with apparently overly sensitive egos. I wouldn't let it sleep because I'd hate to give the impression that I implicitly accept the reproach as valid.

[willn]

There's basically only one reply that works in that moment:  "That would be helpful.  I'll do my best to have that type of information in the future"

I've been there and given this exact type of scenario a lot of thought.  It's hard not to take this stuff personally.  Because of that almost anything else sounds defensive.  Objectively if they were correct, you should be thankful they are reminding you, and doing it in a way that is a bit uncomfortable, because that's where a lot of the best learning happens--the discomfort zone!

If they were incorrect, you aren't the only one in the room who knows they are unreasonable, and responding with detached dignity shows you to be a solid pro that doesn't let minor annoyances stand in the way of your job.  If they are calling you out unjustly, maybe you can add a brief pause before you answer as above. An inner smile helps keep the emotion in your voice positive.

[cosmie]

Doctors have a reputation for being asses for a reason. If you're not another doctor (or even if you're a doctor in a "lesser" discipline), that's pretty much par for the course. When I worked with nurses, I got the same treatment frequently (as nurses treat non-clinicians the way doctors treat nurses). Disclaimer: These are broad generalizations and of course YMMV.

That said, if the above stereotype fits the MD in question, chances are your boss is aware of it and will take it with a grain of salt. However, pissing the MDs off is not going to make you (or your bosses) life any better, so he'll probably let it go and hope you do as well.

As for how I would have reacted: perplexed and passive aggressive. I'd have acted confused and asked what she meant, despite knowing exactly what incident she was referring to. Then apologized something along the lines of "Oh that! I had lost my train of thought when you interjected during my conversation with the patient, and wanted to verify the protocol before potentially giving you inaccurate information in front of the patient. I apologize about that; it won't happen again." Trick is you have to be sincere; such blatant passive aggressive behavior comes off extremely rude if you don't appear 110% sincere. Pulled off correctly, and the MD will be so confused as to whether you're being an ass or truly apologizing they'll take it and move on (or be so narcissistic that they only notice the apology).

Explains the comment/situation (with your boss overhearing), passively calls the doctor out on her behavior, and (potentally) pacifies the MD with an apology. And makes you feel a little better inside than just smiling and moving on.