I have a patient who is a bigot. And he likes me.

[Aristus]

Tough dilemma for a medical provider. He really likes me and my clinical style of practice. And he told me during his second appointment that he has already recommended four of his family members to establish care with me.

He is not overt in bigoted speech. But he sounds like he might be racist. And I get homophobic vibes from him.

I’m not empowered to fire patients. So I guess I’ll have to grin and bear it. If he’s racist, he may not last long. My supervising physician is Indian-American, the clinic manager is bi-racial, and the medical assisting staff is almost exclusively Hispanic and African-American.

I always imagine right-wing types hating me on sight. Weird.

[True Dough]

1. At least you have a place you can vent here

And hopefully, if his family members seek you out, they prove to be more open-minded people who have resisted his influence.

[surfered]

2. I feel your pain. I was a CPA with Texas oil and gas wildcatters as clients.

[Wounded Bear]

3. Sounds like you need to call in your staff to "consult" a few times...

at every visit. Make sure he knows he's gonna have to deal with some of "those people" every time he comes to your office.

[MichMan]

4. "I always imagine right-wing types hating me on sight. Weird"

"But he sounds like he might be racist. And I get homophobic vibes from him."

Homophobia for one, is not specific to one race vs. another. Is it possible that it is just your projections and not his actual behavior?

[Aristus]

5. Sure, it's possible.

He’s currently being treated with a controlled substance that I don’t prescribe, so I referred him to a provider who does virtual visits.

My patient told me that at his only virtual visit, he said: “The screen came on, and it was a native of Africa!” That was his first impression of the provider. Who says “native” of anything? And why should the provider’s ancestry matter?

No amount of projection on my part can explain those hang ups.

[LuckyCharms]

6. This might not be entirely applicable to your situation, but...

just before Trump came on the scene, I had a painter paint the entire interior of my home.

He was a good family man, with great kids. Very catholic.

He would have Rush Limbaugh on the radio as he painted. I would sometimes work along with him to help him out...even though he was being paid to paint.

He would try to goad me into political arguments. I would just tell him that he was full of shit, shut the fuck up with your bullshit, etc.

And though we disagreed politically, I couldn't help but like the guy, and he liked me.

We were able to get along because I never once detected a hint of racism in what he had to say. If I had, we would not have been able to continue our friendship.

I became friends with his entire family.

We kind of drifted apart after Trump came on the scene, and then he passed away, so I never really knew his feelings about Trump. But if I had to guess, I would think that he would have dumped the Republican party...just a feeling I get about the guy.

He also used to tell me..."Love is love...and I don't give a fuck who loves who...it doesn't matter to me because it is none of my business".

Kind of strange talk coming from a die hard Republican.

Times were different before Trump. Looking back, it seems that political differences could be dealt with, as long as they didn't reek of racism or homophobia.

Now? Things have changed...at least for me.

And in my case, racism and homophobia have always been a red line for me, even before Trump. If the painter had expressed these views, I would have thrown him out of my home. But as it was, we could not help being fond of each other despite of our political differences.

These days, I don't know how I would react being in a professional position not being able to fire a racist client!

[Floyd R. Turbo]

7. I have no patience for bigot patients!

[BeneteauBum]

8. When asked by my doctor's staff

Are you allergic to anything? I get the same question giving blood or at the pharmacy. My answer is always: bigots. I just can’t understand that frame of mind.

Peace ☮️

[angrychair]

9. They don't deserve care

Racists, bigots, xenophobes or misogynists do not deserve healthcare. Or a home. Or a job. Or anything.

Or at least I am under no obligation to help provide those things.

[irisblue]

10. I was the radiographer in a 2 practice building & Dr W had late hours 2 nights a week

I freaking loved Dr W, loved her. She & her crew were in office 2, I was in office 1, big glasses reception area for office 1. B/C I was late person in practice 1 I tidied up, put charts away, blah blah blah
One night a middle aged white couple came to the window, obviously noticing the AA patients. They asked me in a hushed voice "is she black?"
I don't know she is a doctor in green scrubs I replied.
They left, Dr W gain, their loss.
Racists suck.

I haven't thought about this for years.