<p>Let me say that I really love my doctor. Everyone in our household, with the exception of my youngest ( who is under the care of her pediatrician ) is her patient.
In the last 6 weeks, I have had some health problems that have required testing in a hospital and other specialists. She has been attentive but her support staff, not so much. I am not a pushy person, but with the issues I have been experiencing I have been assertive in pursuing answers to why I am having such difficulties.
Some of my symptoms have been serious enough to bring me to the emergency room and also being admitted for observation and further tests.
After eliminating a few possibilities, I have been referred to a specialist ( Pulmonologist )
What has me upset is the lack of communication and timely scripts for necessary procedures. For instance, doctor requested a rather expensive test done and felt that my insurance company would deny the test…well it took 3 weeks to find that out. I understand the concept of red tape and all, but a test that was done on Monday by a specialist was faxed over to my office the very next day. When called ( and you NEVER get a human on the phone, just voicemail ) I was told that my doctor would be out until today. They of course didn’t call me, I called them twice. When I got the " medical liason" she told me next to nothing…but to go see the specialist for further info…and I had to wait 3 extra days for that.
I have spent the good part of the afternoon searching on line for info myself on various websites.
I have been with this practice for about 10 years. The kicker is, my friend and neighbor is a doctor in this practice, though I am not his patient.
My feeling is that there has been much time wasted because the staff isn’t following through.
Do I complain to my doc ( that is if I can indeed speak to her and not just relay a message through the very people who have been jerking me around )
Or do I call my neighbor and let them know ?
Or do I just move on and find a doctor whose staff doesn’t make me feel like some kind of maniac because I expect to get answers and proper care ?
Sorry for the long rant</p>
<p>I had a very wise pediatrician tell me once that he has no way to know what goes on at his front desk unless a parent tells him.</p>
<p>Your doctor’s office sounds just like the one my parents and in laws go to. My FIL had surgery on Tuesday and his Internist came to his room on Wednesday very puzzled; he said he had no idea FIL was having surgery. My FIL informed him that he called the office, not once, but twice and told the doc who he spoke to. This office never seems to get it right. I don’t know if the doctor doesn’t follow through or if his staff doesn’t give him messages, test results, etc…</p>
<p>I would talk to your neighbor since you are friendly with him. It could be your doctor is slow, or it could be his staff.</p>
<p>One suggestion, aside from the physician choice issue, is that you may find helpful anecdotal info and ideas for improving quality of life with certain diagnoses if you join a yahoo group for that disease or condition.</p>
<p>It usually takes a significant illness to find out whether your doctor is good or not. Unfortunately, the majority are not good IMO.</p>
<p>Getting a new doctor depends on a lot of things. The best doctors are usually not in insurance networks. In my neck of the woods, many have retainer practices where you pay a monthly fee to be in their practice whether you use their services or not. </p>
<p>If you’re not ill, this seems expensive. If you have a big issue as I recently have, having my MD’s cell phone number that comes with the retainer has really paid off. I can get any test including an MRI the same day he requests it. When I had back surgery he was by my side when I woke up and took my calls at 11:30 PM when I needed something and the hospital staff was not helpful.</p>
<p>So if you’re looking to stay in network, a new MD might not be much better. You need to canvas friends, relatives and all of the doctors you know to see if there is someone better for you.</p>
<p>The condition is rather vague…the only info I could find seemed like it wasn’t geared to someone like me ( I have never smoked, never lived with a smoker , not worked with asbestos or worked in a coal mine )
I am confident that my visit to the specialist will answer my questions and give me a clearer view of my issues , but I feel I had to fight to obtain test results and answer basic questions ( that have really impacted my life ) from my primary care office.I have never had such trouble with basic communication with any doctor’s office.
I have had asthma all my life , but this is much different.</p>
<p>lje - I believe the frustrations you’re suffering are common these days. Information over the phone? Hopeless. I resort to written communications, which I drop off at the doctor’s office. Yesterday I got a phone response to one such message: “Must speak to you, please call the office.” No name, no number, etc. I stopped by the office today and they couldn’t find the message.</p>
<p>Consider having separate relationships with the two doctors. An unenthusiastic intermediary is probably not good for your health.</p>
<p>lje62, I am very familiar with the problem (not your physical problem, but the one with the doctor’s practice) that you are describing.</p>
<p>Make an appointment to see your doc. When you are in the same room with her, tell her about the problems you’ve been having. Ask her if there is a better way for you to follow up – does she have one particular nurse in the office who could be your primary contact? </p>
<p>If this can’t be resolved, you will in fact have to change doctors. She may be excellent, but if you can’t get through to her or if you can’t find out your test results on a timely basis, it doesn’t matter how good she is.</p>
<p>Before you leave her, however, I’d have a heart-to-heart and give her an opportunity to fix things.</p>
<p>I have left several doctors’ practices because of the incompetence of their front desk staff. It is an entirely legitimate reason to leave.</p>
<p>And I hope all your tests are negative and you get well quickly!!</p>
<p>I agree with Very Happy. My mother in law was a registered nurse (retired now) who for the last 30 years worked in Doctor’s offices. The stories she would tell of how the front office grossly and deliberately mishandled information were unbelievable. The only way things ever change is when the patients complain - you are the customer. </p>
<p>I would make an appointment to see the Doctor - and walk in with a written list of the issues. Have times that you called written down. Ask for a single point of contact - someone with whom you have already dealt with and are comfortable with.</p>
<p>They have other phone numbers that are answered - ask for them. Get his cell phone number - he probably has two - one for personal calls and one for his practice - he can give you the latter.</p>
<p>Every doctor I know is in the business to help people - and when things are getting in the way of them helping their patients, they take it very personally. Let him know what is going on - and I bet things will change.</p>
<p>Ask if your MD prefers to communicate via e-mail; many do these days and this leaves the desk staff to focus on the office patient.</p>
<p>I would have no problem with an email from my doctor…as long as I can communicate directly with her and not a " Liason" who can only read a sentence and not answer a basic question such as what does that mean ? :)</p>
<p>goodness–just go and talk with your friend who is also a neighbor. My DH is a doc and he/we do not mind if a friend asks questions–just as our friend the dentist does not mind (we are asking for information nor his free services) nor would most people as long as you are polite and real. Your neighbor will tell you if you should move on or…</p>
<p>I heard what you said, and actually think it is somewhat common for doc offices these days. It isnt like the “old” days" where you get tested immediately considering the symptoms. I agree with u in alot of ways, because at my age…no matter WHAT i tell my doctor about my health…he attributes it to menopause!! I’m not in meno yet, lol.peri…yes…but, it is so frustrating to have him lump my symtpms into that meno thing. I actually had a doc appt today…I’ve been having chest pains (anxiety?) blah blah…so the doc thinkis its gerd, lol…though I’ve been tested 3 times for ulcers, and other stomach things. At this point…I actually give up. If you are a woman in ur late 40’s to late 50’s, it seems like no matter WHAT ur symtoms are…they’ll say its meno!!
I got nexium today, cause of 2 weeks worth of panic attacks…lol…I took em and said…ok…well ur the doc! If I pass out or get really sick its all on u:)</p>
<p>Agree w/previous poster re office staff-many docs have no idea how the staff treats patients; many place too much trust in their staff because docs only want to practice medicine. Unfortunately, staff can send negative impression to patients many times which is not a reflection of the doc. I would make an appt to see the doc and speak directly to the doc during that appt (NOT staff or doc’s nurse) and reveal some the concerns you have. The sooner you do this, you may see swifter action with regards to your care. And doc may realize that staff needs some fine-tuning!</p>