What's the closest you've ever come to walking out in the middle of an exam, and why?

Is it because you didn't like the examiner, the way the exam was being carried out, or what?

I was at a dermatology appointment. The guy walked in, no introduction,no name tag with a disgusting white lab coat. I asked him who he was and his response was who do you think I am. I said based on your lack of name tag you could be anyone, so I’m not taking any chances and got up and walked out.

At my annual physical after turning 30 when the doctor said he wanted to do a rectal exam following my genital exam. I was nervous and so embarrassed but I stuck it out.

I had a doctor insist he wouldn’t see me if I didn’t consent to an endoscopy so I walked out and found a different GI specialist who would discuss treatment and diagnostic options with me rather than dictating.

If your doctor acts like a dictator, find another doctor.

I walked out on a Dr. once, I needed a prescription because I was due to travel. My GP wasn’t available so the practice said a different Dr. would see me. I was okay but I just needed the prescription, however he had other plans, he got a gown out of a drawer and asked me to put it on, he threw it at me, which was kind of strange, I threw it back at him, not violently but in the same manner he threw it to me. He said he’d gone over my notes and noticed some discrepancies, he was rude and officious talking at me, with his glasses on the edge of his nose, he then said he’d be sending for a colonoscopy, I was just so astounded that I asked him to do one thing and he just carried on in his own little world, I finally shut him down verbally by telling him hey, why not listen to your patient. I don’t think he’s ever been told no before. His manner was rude, arrogant and pushy. Needless to say I pushed back.

Not sure if it qualifies as the middle as it was after I was roomed, but before I was seen by the doctor, but I have almost walked out because it has taken so long to see the doctor. It’s just to me a sign of a very poorly run medical office. Our time is valuable too, and when they don’t respect that, it doesn’t make me wanna go back, and this time it was so long that I felt like just leaving that time before even seeing the doctor.

I actually DID walk out...

A few years ago I went to my doctor because of a broken toe. I was able to get an appointment the following day at the Ortho clinic. My doctor prescribed some pain medicine to ease my discomfort. Here is how it played out.

Arrival: On time. Wait time before getting called in: 10 minutes. Med Tech obtains my vitals, instructs me to remove my shoes and socks. I was advised the NP would be with me shortly.

Wait time: 20 minutes. NP arrives and assessed the injury and informs me the bone should be reset (ugh) but wants a doctor's insight first. NP leaves.

22 minutes later the doctor arrives, concurs with NP's diagnosis and they both exit.

15 minutes later the NP returns and says "We are almost ready to conduct the procedure, let's check your vitals again. " BP, Pulse and Respiration: Elevated.

NP: "We need to get you relaxed before we begin. Could you tell me why you are so nervous.?" Me: "You informed me almost an hour ago you were probably going to have to reset the bone in my toe. Maybe, just maybe you should have not told me that before the doctor diagnosed me and when the doctor FINALLY got around to getting here YOU should have been prepared to finish the work immediately but instead both of you left me here to worry, now you ask me why I am so nervous.? "

I got my socks and shoes back on and I disappeared faster than a blond at the Bates Motel. Uh, ok that last remark was an exaggerated humorous ancedote. I didn't actually walk out, I gimped out.

A few months later I went in for my annual physical. My doctor was reviewing my file and asked me why I declined treatment for the broken toe. I explained the poor service and lack of consideration regarding my needs. She understood and she even apologized for not sending me to the ER immediately then examined my toe and said although it has healed that it didn't heal properly and my toe had a Quasimodo thing going on and if I was ok with the aesthetic Faux Pas that I would probably be ok as it was not bothering even me during my running workouts.