As reading through the posts the last couple of days my inquisitive mind is in a frenzy!! There's a lot of info out there BUT the biggest obstacle facing any patient is having a doctor take the time to read your medical history, actually listen to your symptoms AND THEN - AND THEN put these two sources of information together to determine what the possible health issues are AND THEN order lab work, etc.
Reality is that you go in to your first appt. and they have you fill out a multi-paged questionnaire in regard to your health and to the best of your knowledge your blood relatives. A nurse checks your vitals, weight, height and temp. So what happens when you actually see the doctor? Hmmm. The doctor will spend anywhere from 3-5 minutes with you and scan the info the nurse has written in the appt. notes for this appt. After this it's up for grabs/anyone's guess. If you're fortunate you have a doctor who asks for more details, listens to your answer/explanation/asks more questions and actually looks at your medical history before determining what tests need to be run to not just determine what your problem(s) is but eliminate possible dxs.
True reality is the doctor looks briefly at the day's notations on your med. chart, chats with you for a few minutes, possibly orders lab tests, orders a prescription and decides when you should return. Heaven forbid a doctor would actually want you to make contact if the prescribed meds. were causing any nasty side effects. Not too likely you would get an appt. immediately if not sooner either, so you make a trip into the ER and hope for the best.
Arthritis sufferers and others suffering from chronic medical conditions pay a high price for the brush-offs we receive from not just incompetent drs. but drs. with ego problems directly linked to the $$ signs in their eyes.
In the Hippocratic(sp) Oath drs. take compassion, empathy and the alleviation of pain are heavily stressed. So what happened??
It's so easy for a by-stander to offer advice on how to deal with incompetent and uncaring doctors. These people don't realize how difficult it is or how much energy it takes for people with chronic pain/health issues to try and function as normally as possible.
I completely understand what you are talking about. My last
rheumy, who I only saw three times, only spent 3 minutes with
me each time. She proudly told me "I see 35 patients a day."
Now I know she didn't spend much time with any of them. I
recently found a new rheumatologist who spent almost an hour
talking to me and listening to me. I was almost in tears and
thanked him multiple times before I left b/c I was so grateful to
have found a good caring doc who took the time for me. Not sure if this is a rant, watchingwolf, or if you have just had a few bad experiences around doctors, but I'd have to say that this has NOT been my experience for the most part, and certainly isn't my experience with my Rheumy or my PCP.
Sorry you have not felt you have gotten adequate attention. I do count my lucky stars that I have such good doctors.
Don't have any words of wisdom, just thought it was important to say that your experience isn't world wide so that anyone new to this board won't be frightened about their first visit.
Jeanne
Jeanneb13: Hi, I'm neither a spring chicken or an old hen so I've had real nasty experiences with a number of doctors BUT anybody would be hardpressed to beat the the medical team I now have.
The reason for my chagrin and reason for my post was out of sheer frustration for what so many of you on this board are now dealing with! My prayers are constantly with all who aren't experiencing the medical care I now have in that they too will find a medical team who places them before the number of patients they can run through in a day.
It is obvious these kind of doctors really haven't any compassion for those who are chronically ill. Their real concern isn't for their patients but for the amount of $$$ they can accumulate in their bank accounts.
They certainly don't care about what the medical incurred costs of long-term illness do the bank accounts of their patients!!
I've never had a rheumy that spent less than an hour and a half on my first appointment. My current rheumy spent two hours first appt. Regular appt's go anywhere from 20 to 30+ min if I'm having trouble. This is great if you're the one in the appt - not so great if rheumy's going overtime and you're in the waiting room!
Now GPs and GI docs, forgeddaboutit!
This is the exact reason I find it so improtant to form a good realationship with my RD's nurse.
Early on get on a friendly level with the nurse. Make an effort to be memoriable. Be friendly....get to know them. Ask about THEM; ask about their family, their kids....and remember the details so you can ask them about them on the next visit. Then later when you call with a problem they are anxious to return your calls to check on you and they'll be sure to relay your true problems with your doctor.
I adore my RD's nurse. She's awesome. She's even paticent with my husband (Bless his heart) and she never forgets to ask about him when I'm in. She remembers we live in a 2 story house with tons of stairs.....we have a brandy bunch style family; and I've got the most precious, caring...although somewhat over protective husband in the world.
That stuff may seem meaning less in the grand sceem of things; but my relationship with that office is living proof that it really works.
I'd highly recommend forming a early....positive relationship with the nurse.
You're so right, Lovie! I love my rheumy's nurse, just sort of like the doc. After all, who is it that you call if you need something or some answers or some advice? I don't know about you, but I've talked to Rose on the phone many times, for whatever--never have I talked to the doc when I call for something. Don't need to, really. Rose is there for me.Aw. Her name is Rose. I just pictured this old fashioned doc's office...all in black and white..everyone calls eachother "honey" heheheMy RD is great and spends ample time with me. He always returns my calls and spends about 10 min on the phone. He calls when my MRI results arrive and goes over them too. Plus he mails me my results and my lab results too. I am very grateful to have a doc that takes his time to ask and answer questions.
I agree that there are just as many jerks out there as there are really wonderful doctors. I hope that anyone out there that has been poorly treated by a doc finds one that gives them the time they need...it really seems to make all of the difference in the world.
Yup. Idiots breed just as much as the smart ones. And being book smart doesn't mean you have people skills! You should always be happy with your doctor. That's a pretty big relationship, whether you think of it like that or not. How many people have ONE hair stylist they go to? You wouldn't keep going to them if they messed your hair up, would you?? Heck no! You'd kick em to the curb! We shouldnt be so afraid to say "hey....I don't like this doc."wachingwolf, your post is very insightful
happened to me many times even with so called " good doctors"
Just recently Doc send me to donate blood for my future surgery
and lab tech said I can't take your blood with your history and meds
you take! did you tell doctor that you have RA and medication you
take? He didn't ask me in 5min he spend with me, but all information
is in the form they send me to fill up. Lab tech was angry when
she called them and they cancel my blood donation.
Little oops like that and more serios happen all the time!
Thank you for pointing that out
Why can't you donate your own blood for surgery? I am having a knee replaced after the 1st of the year and would like to use my own blood. Love the font change Gramm!! Thank you Sweetheart....I love your post; and now i can see them!!
Liz, I'm on Remicade and all other good stuff for RA and was told that donating blood for my surgery would make me weak before the surgery and delute the medicine in my body. If you don't have that problem then donating your own blood for your surgery is the best way to do it. Best of luck to you!