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In view of my recent purchase of an iPhone 4 cover from Apple (Yes, I was one of the cheapos who opted to redeem a free iPhone 4 cover before the offer expired end-September), I was asked to fill out an online survey pertaining to the iPhone.

And so I did.

I was pretty much perplexed when I chanced upon this question on the second screen, though.

Second question from Apple’s survey.

I guess that Apple (or whichever survey company they chose to employ) had conveniently forgotten that there’s more to the web than merely the Apple and Singtel websites.

And the only other option available?

“None of these, I have not required help using the iPhone.” (Whut?!)

Either way, there seems to be huge assumption made in constructing this survey question – that people with iPhone issues will only opt to refer to either the Apple or Singtel. And that those who don’t visit any of these websites for resolution, have no iPhone issues at all.

Unfortunately (for them, at least), this is not true at all.

In response, I expressed my dissent in an open-ended question in the next screen about general feedback with my service provider.

Honestly speaking, I have had loads of issues with the iPhone – but the options provided in the previous page (listing only either Singtel/Apple websites) was not sufficient in answering my questions.

I consulted numerous online forums, discussions and weblogs via Google Search in order to resolve the myriad of problems I experienced with the iPhone.

Examples of problems:
Syncing of contacts with the iPhone.
Syncing purchased apps downloaded via the iPhone to iTunes.
The need to restart my phone continuously because certain app sessions were constantly having issues.
And the like …

And honestly, trawling through Google Search (which is so ubiquitous, easily accessible via my browser toolbar) is so much easier than trawling through either the Singtel or Apple websites. The discussions and options sought are more balanced too, than one sided.

When it comes to Singtel Support, what can I say? Having to wait 25 minutes on the phone with a mechanical voice constantly on replay with annoying music before I get to speak to a real person is not cool at all.

Just couldn’t resist. :P

To that doctor at Serangoon Gardens who examined my mum for presumptive gout late this afternoon.

All this while, my main point of contention was the obvious fact that you were displaying a blatant lack of Emotional Quotient (EQ) and that you have to be more mindful of your tone when dealing with your patients.

You, on the other hand, chose to hurl personal insults at me and demanded me to get out of the room – which I must say, is extremely out of line and highly unprofessional.

For one, you were practically barking orders at my mother right from the very second we entered the consultation room, in that superior, holier than thou tone which you adopted throughout the entire consultation session.

No, I am not picking on your outright frankness (unlike what you seem to think during the whole argument) when you practically spat the following words out at my mother – “At your age, first your knees give way. Then, your neck gives way. After that, your heart will also give way!”

Frank is good. But surely, there is a much better way to phrase that?

Add that on to the fact that you were constantly affirming your position as a medical professional – and how we should only listen to you and not anyone else’s advice, and how we shouldn’t argue when you tell us what to do and such.

Superiority complex, hello?

That was what I called you out upon. But you chose to miss the point altogether, deeming me as misinterpreting what you are saying, telling me that I am oversensitive and that I argue too much – even going to the point of saying that “I will never get a boyfriend because I am like that“.

WHAT. THE. ****?

You boasting about how doctors make use of laboratories, medical technology and theories and “keep emotions out of the picture” to treat a disease does not change the fact that you have terrible EQ. In fact, it only affirms my observations about you.

Dude, you fail to see the difference between emotions, and showing empathy.

You do not friggin’ treat a patient as an inanimate entity in which the disease is located. You treat the PATIENT as a whole – taking into consideration how they feel and paying attention to their rights (respect and dignity included). Not just the disease.

Then, you tried to defend yourself by saying that in the medical profession, words are thrown out the way they are. And even cited examples of how words like “going to hell” and “the patient’s going to die” are thrown around carelessly during lectures.

You’re still missing the point of my argument.

See here, my boy. How medical professionals talk to one another is none of my effin’ business. The crux of my argument is the fact that you are dealing with a PATIENT. Here is where ‘the ability to deal with people on a compassionate level’ comes into play.

Patients have genuine concerns, and are in most cases, either worried or anxious about their condition. Having to deal with doctors like you does not make things any better.

You seem to have this impression that just because you are a doctor who ‘heals people’, you are this superior being who possesses extraordinary powers and how people should marvel at your godliness and bow down to your feet.

Which was probably what led to your outright display of indignation (coupled with the ‘get out of the room’ remarks and personal insults) when the daughter of your patient decided to call you out on your misdoings.

Please. Get off that pedestal you’ve placed yourself on already.

You may have all the necessary paper qualifications, several years of service and experience behind your back, or whatsoever credentials it takes to become a doctor.

However, as long as you have a zilch EQ, terrible bedside manners, and that type of attitude you displayed today, you have failed in your duty as a doctor.

P/S: For the record – no vulgarities were spewed during the actual argument with said doctor. And I was struggling to keep my tone steady despite the verbal assault I was receiving from the other party. GRARR. ANGRY.