By: M. A.

M. A. — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 06:10:27 +0000

When your doctor of 20 years no longer sits down to hold a two way conversation about the medical concern of the day and instead rushes out the door saying “we will discuss your laundry list at your next yearly exam”, then it is time to move on to someone who still has the compassion needed to be a doctor. If he had looked at my chart, he would have seen that he does not do a yearly exam except in very rare years. My new doctor is a very good listener and we get into two way conversations discussing my health plans. It’s so refreshing.

By: Berry

Berry — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 21:04:24 +0000

I feel that too polite patients are taken advantage of – not necessarily by the doctor – but their administrative staff. Example: I was sent to a well-known urologist in a possible cancer situation. After waiting to see him for over 2 hours (with an appointment, he saw me for approximately 5 minutes – during which he was interrupted twice by people walking into his office where we were meeting. He assured me someone would call me to schedule a cystoscopy. I waited patiently for three weeks for this call. I finally called to ask when it would be scheduled. When the call finally came, they had scheduled it in less than two days – and oh, by the way, could I go in for pre-addmission testing within the day and half. I was expected to drop everything in my business & life, to accomodate this doctor and his admin staff couldn’t even give me a few days notice for a procedure.
This is what happens when one is polite and patient. I would be happy to participate in my care, but please could these highly paid specialists respect that I have to make a living too?

Comments on: Do Difficult Patients Get Bad Medical Care?

By: M. A.

By: Berry