tyler7
01-08-2004, 10:52 PM
True, I've always been something of a pessimist. Though I always excused it with the fact that at least I was able to bring more humor out of it than most of my negative bretheren. But I never thought I would be THIS indignant when I was only 28. And yet the things I see, I can't imagine how anyone else wouldn't be either.
I just don't understand how some people can't see the insanity in their own actions, their own contradictions.
I went to my PM doctor appointment at 5pm today. There were at least 12 people waiting (which left quite enough standing). Now, this is the part where I'm conflicted. Because here's Kathy, the main receptionist and a woman who's been nothing short of gracious to me. A rock of courtesy. And yet here the receptionists were, remarking about how they hate it when it's this busy. Quickly stepping from here to there, panting as they go, getting this file, answering that call, signing in this patient. Their logic baffles me. But I suppose when your greed leads you, it blinds you to all else. That they didn't realize they were so overrun with work was due COMPLETELY to their own doing astounds me. They were chaotic SOLELY because THEY CHOSE to LITERALLY schedule 3 and 4 patients for the same time slot. Because the so-called miracle worker must have his nice cars. I overheard they seriously thought they were going to break the 70 patient mark today, a first (well, I'm assuming based on how they talked about it).
And I stood there. Patiently watching it. Summoning all my will to not burst as they complained in front of me. And why was it so crucial that I restrain myself? Because the truth is I'm utterly dependant on these people. You don't want to rock the boat now, do you? The doctor is above reproach. You don't question him, lest you risk your regimine be uprooted, throwing then YOUR life into complete chaos. They are the magic men, the wizards, the people who take all your pain away, or just even make life managable. And this way, this system, is so essential to us we dare not say what should otherwise rightly be spoken in a normal, healthy environment.
For some of you this is merely a story to read, you can't relate because you have a good two-way relationship with your doctor. And for that, and you, I am happy. But I fear to say that many of you this is all too familiar. This is wrong. We're slaves with a perpetual prescription slip around our wrists in the place of chains. You don't want to anger the master, for he's in complete control of your well being, and can send you into a world of suffering via, as we've all seen from time to time, the least reasonable thought.
And there's nothing we can do about it.
I just don't understand how some people can't see the insanity in their own actions, their own contradictions.
I went to my PM doctor appointment at 5pm today. There were at least 12 people waiting (which left quite enough standing). Now, this is the part where I'm conflicted. Because here's Kathy, the main receptionist and a woman who's been nothing short of gracious to me. A rock of courtesy. And yet here the receptionists were, remarking about how they hate it when it's this busy. Quickly stepping from here to there, panting as they go, getting this file, answering that call, signing in this patient. Their logic baffles me. But I suppose when your greed leads you, it blinds you to all else. That they didn't realize they were so overrun with work was due COMPLETELY to their own doing astounds me. They were chaotic SOLELY because THEY CHOSE to LITERALLY schedule 3 and 4 patients for the same time slot. Because the so-called miracle worker must have his nice cars. I overheard they seriously thought they were going to break the 70 patient mark today, a first (well, I'm assuming based on how they talked about it).
And I stood there. Patiently watching it. Summoning all my will to not burst as they complained in front of me. And why was it so crucial that I restrain myself? Because the truth is I'm utterly dependant on these people. You don't want to rock the boat now, do you? The doctor is above reproach. You don't question him, lest you risk your regimine be uprooted, throwing then YOUR life into complete chaos. They are the magic men, the wizards, the people who take all your pain away, or just even make life managable. And this way, this system, is so essential to us we dare not say what should otherwise rightly be spoken in a normal, healthy environment.
For some of you this is merely a story to read, you can't relate because you have a good two-way relationship with your doctor. And for that, and you, I am happy. But I fear to say that many of you this is all too familiar. This is wrong. We're slaves with a perpetual prescription slip around our wrists in the place of chains. You don't want to anger the master, for he's in complete control of your well being, and can send you into a world of suffering via, as we've all seen from time to time, the least reasonable thought.
And there's nothing we can do about it.
Sponsor
twisten
01-08-2004, 11:18 PM
Yes, Tyler there is something you can do about it. Get a different doctor!! I know what you mean how some of them make you wait sometimes for hours, I've had a few of them myself. All the docs I have now are great. They are courteous and don't make me (or any of there other patients) wait long. The doc I had before moving here was super. All I had to do was phone and even if they were booked solid he still made time for me. The doc I have now isn't as good but even she doesn't make me wait for longer than 15 minutes. The ones that are over booking, in my opinion, aren't really there for you.
carol632
01-08-2004, 11:40 PM
I agree with twisten...find another doctor. They don't all treat patients like that and the ones that do, don't deserve you. Does this happen on most visits, the waiting and waiting? If it does, it indicates a lack of caring on his part. If it is unusual, then it is possible the doctor had a lot of extra "sick" people who needed him. Only you know the answer to that.
Carol
Carol
mouse62
01-09-2004, 11:30 AM
Also, I wouldn't blame the receptionists. They are probably not making very much money and all the extra profit made from overbooking goes only to the dr., I'm sure. The receptionists probably feel they have to do it this way just to keep their jobs.
tyler7
01-09-2004, 06:10 PM
Ok, well perhaps this is my own fault. It's obvious by most of the replies I've received to the original statement that my essential point was lost.
See, of course I'm aware of the idea of simply getting a new doctor. Although as my situation stands right now today, that's not exactly possible. Now granted, when I wrote that yesterday, I had just experienced a very full day, most of which was rather discouraging. I was sick of how just about everything on this planet runs with a false logic. And so my little essay was more of an overall look at the state of things. Sure, even I've had nice doctors. Actually both the PM docs I saw during my years in Los Angeles ran the office pretty quickly, with a near-barren waiting room and me never having to wait more than 20 minutes (though the first of those two docs wasn't very good for my well being at all, something I didn't see the full capacity of until mostly after the fact). And the second one was incredibly nice, and what I would imagine would have to be one of the least opiaphobic PM docs out there; I virtually had my pick of the litter of what I wanted to take most of the time (it was when I overheard another patient talking about Methadone that I first brought it up, and I was allowed to start on it in the blink of an eye).
Anyway, it was really more about lamenting on this life that we all have to lead. And even if you have a much better give-and-take with your doc, chances are most of you still have things you'd like to say but, well.... really can't. Because they have us. The life has us. Above all else comes that need to have everything go very smoothly. Not so much because that simply makes sense anyway and is preferrable to misery, but because anything resembling the alternative is something we don't even want to think about. Something we can't think about. I suppose I resent a little having to put myself in this position.
And surely I don't blame the receptionists themselves for the overbooking and chaos; like I said the main one at my office is one of the sweetest women I've ever met. Just what baffled me was how they seemed to have no understanding that the reason for their little interoffice circus was completely due to their boss's desire for more money and to apparently set some kind of personal record for seeing so many patients in his 'smash and grab' medical practice. They thought it just happened to be very busy.
And I wouldn't want to hear that he stockpiled folks like this in order to "help as many people as possible". If that were true he wouldn't appear as if he was doing you a favor whenever you had 'just a couple more questions', or 'wanted another 4-5 minutes to go over this or that with him'.
And in this case, I had a few minor parts of a paper for my Medicaid application that needed to be filled out by him, and while my appointment was mainly just to get a script refill, when I handed the recpt the paper, she looked at my doubtfully, saying "look at this place, he's not gonna be filling out papers and things tonight". Hmmm. Funny. Because you see, HE'S the one who wants me so very much to go to his two other specialists since he can no longer do anything to treat me, and yet can he understand that the longer it takes to have three things on a paper filled out, that's that much longer I have to wait to see his other two doctors. But I guess grandiose details like these are too much to deal with for a doctor on such a tight schedule. After all, he's got a lot of people "to help".
So for me, due to having no insurance/applying for Medicaid/still trying but not yet securing possible coverage from a soon-to-be full time job, I sadly don't have the option of seeking a new doctor.
Alright, well I had intended this to be more just about trying to clarify my original point but it seems I fell back into a personal rant again. Oh well, I won't bother to re-edit it. I just hope you maybe have a better understanding now of what I was trying to say.
See, of course I'm aware of the idea of simply getting a new doctor. Although as my situation stands right now today, that's not exactly possible. Now granted, when I wrote that yesterday, I had just experienced a very full day, most of which was rather discouraging. I was sick of how just about everything on this planet runs with a false logic. And so my little essay was more of an overall look at the state of things. Sure, even I've had nice doctors. Actually both the PM docs I saw during my years in Los Angeles ran the office pretty quickly, with a near-barren waiting room and me never having to wait more than 20 minutes (though the first of those two docs wasn't very good for my well being at all, something I didn't see the full capacity of until mostly after the fact). And the second one was incredibly nice, and what I would imagine would have to be one of the least opiaphobic PM docs out there; I virtually had my pick of the litter of what I wanted to take most of the time (it was when I overheard another patient talking about Methadone that I first brought it up, and I was allowed to start on it in the blink of an eye).
Anyway, it was really more about lamenting on this life that we all have to lead. And even if you have a much better give-and-take with your doc, chances are most of you still have things you'd like to say but, well.... really can't. Because they have us. The life has us. Above all else comes that need to have everything go very smoothly. Not so much because that simply makes sense anyway and is preferrable to misery, but because anything resembling the alternative is something we don't even want to think about. Something we can't think about. I suppose I resent a little having to put myself in this position.
And surely I don't blame the receptionists themselves for the overbooking and chaos; like I said the main one at my office is one of the sweetest women I've ever met. Just what baffled me was how they seemed to have no understanding that the reason for their little interoffice circus was completely due to their boss's desire for more money and to apparently set some kind of personal record for seeing so many patients in his 'smash and grab' medical practice. They thought it just happened to be very busy.
And I wouldn't want to hear that he stockpiled folks like this in order to "help as many people as possible". If that were true he wouldn't appear as if he was doing you a favor whenever you had 'just a couple more questions', or 'wanted another 4-5 minutes to go over this or that with him'.
And in this case, I had a few minor parts of a paper for my Medicaid application that needed to be filled out by him, and while my appointment was mainly just to get a script refill, when I handed the recpt the paper, she looked at my doubtfully, saying "look at this place, he's not gonna be filling out papers and things tonight". Hmmm. Funny. Because you see, HE'S the one who wants me so very much to go to his two other specialists since he can no longer do anything to treat me, and yet can he understand that the longer it takes to have three things on a paper filled out, that's that much longer I have to wait to see his other two doctors. But I guess grandiose details like these are too much to deal with for a doctor on such a tight schedule. After all, he's got a lot of people "to help".
So for me, due to having no insurance/applying for Medicaid/still trying but not yet securing possible coverage from a soon-to-be full time job, I sadly don't have the option of seeking a new doctor.
Alright, well I had intended this to be more just about trying to clarify my original point but it seems I fell back into a personal rant again. Oh well, I won't bother to re-edit it. I just hope you maybe have a better understanding now of what I was trying to say.
Jayda1423
01-11-2004, 12:27 AM
Tyler,
The eloquence of your original post was not lost to me.
-Jayda
The eloquence of your original post was not lost to me.
-Jayda
twisten
01-11-2004, 03:54 AM
Now, I get it. Sorry for the misunderstanding!!
Shoreline
01-11-2004, 11:05 AM
Hey TY, You actually answered a question for me and then I'l explain things a bit so you understand how things work on the other side.
My mom has been a nurse for 30+ years, Her carerr went the admin. route and she was the nurse administrator and served on many board of directors, one for the Wealthy retirement home she worked at, a seat at the local community hospital and a seat on the local community clinic.
She's about to have a TKR, and I wondered why she wouldn't even condiser trying PM before undergoing something as invasive as having the end of your Femur sawed off, then the top of your tibia sawed off or is it the Fibia, Either way, I can't imagine a more invasive procedure. Then you wait to see if the new knee doesn't splinter the Femur or Fib when you eventually bear weight on it.
She wouldn't even consider seeing the new PM doc they brought into this rural comunity my folks retired in. Just to see if a low dose of MSC, say 30 mgs 3 times a day may relieve her pain enough that she might reconsider having her femur sawed off. IT sounds brutal because it is brutal.
But for many of the reasons you mentioneded PM was never even considered as an alternative for the grinding cartlidge free knee she lives with. To me it makes sense to try something a tad less invasive but she mentioned some of the problems you did, particularly being tighed to a doctor and dependent on his staff to see her prompltly, preventing any possibility of withdrawal and to avoid the stigma, attitudes and poor treatment she's well aware of that goes on at many medical practices.
While on the board of the local comunity clinic they hired a new doc to ease some of the patient burden. Every patient is seen on a sliding income scale and very few patients have insurance. They have people helping them file forms to get these patients mediciad or medicare or whatever the case may be but the new doc with great references as far as schooling, internship and fellowship liked to practice holistic medicine.
After arrriving he stated he needed 3 hours for each new patient to do an appropriate initial consult, background and workup. He would then have them come back in after he devised his holistic plan to revitalize their entire life. Now this is basically a free clinic located in the blue ridge mountains. His patients were impressed and loved the extra attn. However the board was not happy with the fact that at best he saw 15 patients a week while the other 2 docs were seeing 100-150 patients a week. He lasted about 6 months before the board sent him packing.
It was simply a matter of him not carrying the load he was expected. No matter how many times he was asked to speed things up, help clear a sick waiting room, he continued with his 3 hour holistic philosophy.
MY mother wrote the grants to keep this facility in operation to care for the needy people of that county that had nowhere else to turn. So even doctors must answer to someone, "Board of directors" unless they own and operate their own private practice.
Often PM is a private practice without a board, but when a clinic has more than one doc, trust me, an acounting of the number of patients each doc or NP sees is part of the P&L statement each month and definitely rubs other docs the wrong way when one doc isn't seeing his share of patients. Or bringing in the revenue that other docs are.
My present practice tried to implimant a change in policy last year. At one apt the doc said that we will schedule you for a 15 minute visit at your next apt, if this didn't work out he would book longer slots in the future. I am a stable dose patient but didn't like the idea that an apt 2-3 months down the road was only being aloted 15 minutes.
I purposely ran my mouth at that apt and asked lots of questions so I wouldn't be pigeon wholed into a 15 minute slot everytime I made an apt.
After the next apt didn't work out as a 15 minute rush, we changed things back to the normal extended visit slot. After all, they only saw me every 3 months . But 1 hour a year of face to face with my doc didn't sit well with me.
Over time I have learned when is the right time to make an apt. I'm not a morning person but I know I will be seen right away if I schedule an apt either right when they open or right when they come back from lunch at 1:00pm. Arive a bit early and I was the first seen each time.
This will cut your wait down imensely, knowing your the first apt or the first when they return from lunch. Making apts 3 months out made it easy to find the slot I wanted.
There is no excuse for double or tripple booking a time slot. It doesn't allow proper time spent with the patient and actually is an accident or a record keeping error just waiting to happen when a doc is put under the gun to see 3 patients every 15 or 10 minutes.
I have to make breakfeast for my daughter and her friend
but I Hope you find some info useful.
Take care, Shore
My mom has been a nurse for 30+ years, Her carerr went the admin. route and she was the nurse administrator and served on many board of directors, one for the Wealthy retirement home she worked at, a seat at the local community hospital and a seat on the local community clinic.
She's about to have a TKR, and I wondered why she wouldn't even condiser trying PM before undergoing something as invasive as having the end of your Femur sawed off, then the top of your tibia sawed off or is it the Fibia, Either way, I can't imagine a more invasive procedure. Then you wait to see if the new knee doesn't splinter the Femur or Fib when you eventually bear weight on it.
She wouldn't even consider seeing the new PM doc they brought into this rural comunity my folks retired in. Just to see if a low dose of MSC, say 30 mgs 3 times a day may relieve her pain enough that she might reconsider having her femur sawed off. IT sounds brutal because it is brutal.
But for many of the reasons you mentioneded PM was never even considered as an alternative for the grinding cartlidge free knee she lives with. To me it makes sense to try something a tad less invasive but she mentioned some of the problems you did, particularly being tighed to a doctor and dependent on his staff to see her prompltly, preventing any possibility of withdrawal and to avoid the stigma, attitudes and poor treatment she's well aware of that goes on at many medical practices.
While on the board of the local comunity clinic they hired a new doc to ease some of the patient burden. Every patient is seen on a sliding income scale and very few patients have insurance. They have people helping them file forms to get these patients mediciad or medicare or whatever the case may be but the new doc with great references as far as schooling, internship and fellowship liked to practice holistic medicine.
After arrriving he stated he needed 3 hours for each new patient to do an appropriate initial consult, background and workup. He would then have them come back in after he devised his holistic plan to revitalize their entire life. Now this is basically a free clinic located in the blue ridge mountains. His patients were impressed and loved the extra attn. However the board was not happy with the fact that at best he saw 15 patients a week while the other 2 docs were seeing 100-150 patients a week. He lasted about 6 months before the board sent him packing.
It was simply a matter of him not carrying the load he was expected. No matter how many times he was asked to speed things up, help clear a sick waiting room, he continued with his 3 hour holistic philosophy.
MY mother wrote the grants to keep this facility in operation to care for the needy people of that county that had nowhere else to turn. So even doctors must answer to someone, "Board of directors" unless they own and operate their own private practice.
Often PM is a private practice without a board, but when a clinic has more than one doc, trust me, an acounting of the number of patients each doc or NP sees is part of the P&L statement each month and definitely rubs other docs the wrong way when one doc isn't seeing his share of patients. Or bringing in the revenue that other docs are.
My present practice tried to implimant a change in policy last year. At one apt the doc said that we will schedule you for a 15 minute visit at your next apt, if this didn't work out he would book longer slots in the future. I am a stable dose patient but didn't like the idea that an apt 2-3 months down the road was only being aloted 15 minutes.
I purposely ran my mouth at that apt and asked lots of questions so I wouldn't be pigeon wholed into a 15 minute slot everytime I made an apt.
After the next apt didn't work out as a 15 minute rush, we changed things back to the normal extended visit slot. After all, they only saw me every 3 months . But 1 hour a year of face to face with my doc didn't sit well with me.
Over time I have learned when is the right time to make an apt. I'm not a morning person but I know I will be seen right away if I schedule an apt either right when they open or right when they come back from lunch at 1:00pm. Arive a bit early and I was the first seen each time.
This will cut your wait down imensely, knowing your the first apt or the first when they return from lunch. Making apts 3 months out made it easy to find the slot I wanted.
There is no excuse for double or tripple booking a time slot. It doesn't allow proper time spent with the patient and actually is an accident or a record keeping error just waiting to happen when a doc is put under the gun to see 3 patients every 15 or 10 minutes.
I have to make breakfeast for my daughter and her friend
but I Hope you find some info useful.
Take care, Shore
cardinal
01-11-2004, 11:39 AM
Very well put!!!!! Me, my insurance limits who I can go to. I am at the mercy of the little wizards. I would love to get a "good" doctor but I can't afford it, so I am stuck with diagnosng myself, due to their lack of education. Guess thats why they call it "practicing medicine" ..... :confused:
tyler7
01-11-2004, 11:27 PM
Hey Shore,
Thanks as always for the thoughtful input.
Yeah, I had heard from my very first appt that my PM double and triple books every day (my first few visits were obviously more lengthy, between the main intro and then getting a couple of injections). And for awhile it didn't really bother me, and in fact I even started taking to the habit of coming in just to sign in, then I'd leave for at least an hour and come back (I live within 10-15 minutes of the office). But then its been in the last few months where I'd really been feeling it. It was such a rushed feeling, I'd get home and realize there was still a question I had, something to talk to him about. And it's not that I'm not allowed to ask ?s strictly, just that, well, you know, when you're in that kind of quickened atmosphere its even easier to become off-kiltered, and then you're not thinking right.
I also like to say, in regards to my follow up long post, I've realized in the last couple days that some of the things I said in trying to clarify my original post could be taken as said in a condescending manner or such. I'm sorry, this was not my intent AT ALL. At the very least, I was just disgruntled in general and chose the wrong forum to express myself the way I did, especially since when I'm feeling like that, I often try to really utilize my writing abilities and may have come off too over-dramatic.
Shore - your mother doesn't want to go the PM route for the reasons I mentioned. But she had actually experienced it in the past, is that how she formed her opinion so vehemently?
Yeah, I'm not happy about the 15 minute ideal, and yet I'm not sure I'd need 3 hours :) how bout a doc that can find a happy medium, huH?? But I understand what you're saying, regarding fellow docs feeling upset about too much patient load, even if it can hurt the patient in a way.
As far as earliness to see your doc quick..... see, that's the odd thing now that I look back. Because seriously, my two PM docs in LA, it was not like this at all. My first one, the day I always saw him (wed), at the office that I did, he was only at that location for a couple hours on that morning for the whole week. And I always had to go around 9am because I was working (and conveniently close to this office); there was maybe 2-3 other people there, and even that's a stretch. And then my second PM, that I saw up until early '03, he was even better. I might get there at a half hour before my appt time, and by the time I was seen 10 minutes later, I'd actually be leaving at the time my appt was supposed to start. I even had a week where my appt was on a Wed, but I called on Tues am to see if I could see him that afternoon (tue) because of a scheduling conflict, and they called me back and said yeah! I couldn't believe it. Although, it ended up being a moot point because the conflict was resolved quickly, and I didnt even get their message in time, and ended up still just taking my regular Wed appt time. (um... gee.... got all that? :)
But any idea of "getting there early" I'm not sure has any affect for this operation. See, he has a "system" they TRY to adhere to. Generally, he likes to especially see new patients between 9-10am, and he has people that are only getting refilles anymore (like me now) to come in at 5pm and after. So a normal experienced patient still getting treated is for all afternoon (what I used to be). And it's all arbitrary I swear, because once my appt was at like 2pm, I went in, there was miraculously almost nobody in the waitining room, and I only waited for 30 minutues (shortest ever). Yet the very next appt was for the same time, same day, and then the room was packed and the wait was 2.5 hours. There have been plenty of people that are just coming in for their RX refill, get there at 4:30, and don't leave til 7pm or later. So yeah, I've definitely heard of some waiting 3hrs or later. My worst was that 2.5 hours (and I had gone and come back)
So...... OY! Well hopefully with my new job I'll have a legit shot at normal insurance and I can finally start to see a new doc. Take care
:)
Thanks as always for the thoughtful input.
Yeah, I had heard from my very first appt that my PM double and triple books every day (my first few visits were obviously more lengthy, between the main intro and then getting a couple of injections). And for awhile it didn't really bother me, and in fact I even started taking to the habit of coming in just to sign in, then I'd leave for at least an hour and come back (I live within 10-15 minutes of the office). But then its been in the last few months where I'd really been feeling it. It was such a rushed feeling, I'd get home and realize there was still a question I had, something to talk to him about. And it's not that I'm not allowed to ask ?s strictly, just that, well, you know, when you're in that kind of quickened atmosphere its even easier to become off-kiltered, and then you're not thinking right.
I also like to say, in regards to my follow up long post, I've realized in the last couple days that some of the things I said in trying to clarify my original post could be taken as said in a condescending manner or such. I'm sorry, this was not my intent AT ALL. At the very least, I was just disgruntled in general and chose the wrong forum to express myself the way I did, especially since when I'm feeling like that, I often try to really utilize my writing abilities and may have come off too over-dramatic.
Shore - your mother doesn't want to go the PM route for the reasons I mentioned. But she had actually experienced it in the past, is that how she formed her opinion so vehemently?
Yeah, I'm not happy about the 15 minute ideal, and yet I'm not sure I'd need 3 hours :) how bout a doc that can find a happy medium, huH?? But I understand what you're saying, regarding fellow docs feeling upset about too much patient load, even if it can hurt the patient in a way.
As far as earliness to see your doc quick..... see, that's the odd thing now that I look back. Because seriously, my two PM docs in LA, it was not like this at all. My first one, the day I always saw him (wed), at the office that I did, he was only at that location for a couple hours on that morning for the whole week. And I always had to go around 9am because I was working (and conveniently close to this office); there was maybe 2-3 other people there, and even that's a stretch. And then my second PM, that I saw up until early '03, he was even better. I might get there at a half hour before my appt time, and by the time I was seen 10 minutes later, I'd actually be leaving at the time my appt was supposed to start. I even had a week where my appt was on a Wed, but I called on Tues am to see if I could see him that afternoon (tue) because of a scheduling conflict, and they called me back and said yeah! I couldn't believe it. Although, it ended up being a moot point because the conflict was resolved quickly, and I didnt even get their message in time, and ended up still just taking my regular Wed appt time. (um... gee.... got all that? :)
But any idea of "getting there early" I'm not sure has any affect for this operation. See, he has a "system" they TRY to adhere to. Generally, he likes to especially see new patients between 9-10am, and he has people that are only getting refilles anymore (like me now) to come in at 5pm and after. So a normal experienced patient still getting treated is for all afternoon (what I used to be). And it's all arbitrary I swear, because once my appt was at like 2pm, I went in, there was miraculously almost nobody in the waitining room, and I only waited for 30 minutues (shortest ever). Yet the very next appt was for the same time, same day, and then the room was packed and the wait was 2.5 hours. There have been plenty of people that are just coming in for their RX refill, get there at 4:30, and don't leave til 7pm or later. So yeah, I've definitely heard of some waiting 3hrs or later. My worst was that 2.5 hours (and I had gone and come back)
So...... OY! Well hopefully with my new job I'll have a legit shot at normal insurance and I can finally start to see a new doc. Take care
:)
vitonxl
01-15-2004, 03:04 AM
There all the same read the post. They think there "gods". When there the opposite, pain in the back! The cause somewhat more bad than good. They make people that have major problems major worry. When they shouldn't.
cardinal
01-15-2004, 09:28 AM
I've dropped my primary doc as of yesterday! I dropped in last week without an appt to give a urine speciman, I knew I had an infection and couldn't wait. Well, the nurse let me give a sample and leave. Shortly later she called me and sd yes you do have an infection and I got an antibiodic. So yesterday I went back to give another urine sample to make sure the infection is cleared, still have some symptoms... after sitting and waiting for a long while, the nurse yells from the window, " what can i do for you" i got up and asked to just give a urine sample, didn't need to see the doctor. She says you Must Call 1st!!! I don't have time for you! I repeated I only need to drop off a sample! she was extremely rude! I wanted to walk out so bad, but I need them! No more. The majority of doctors and nurses in private practice are a joke! They seem to only want to treat "healthy" people. :bouncing:
Shoreline
01-15-2004, 10:25 AM
Hey Cardinal, I think my sarcasm would have got the best of me. After a cross the room discussion about a urine sample I think I would have suggested I don't even need a cup, just hold your hand out and I'll hit you from hear.LOL
Take care, Shore
Take care, Shore
QOD
01-16-2004, 02:03 PM
At least you continue to strive to have a sense of humour Tyler... that is a blessing.
Good luck finding a dr., if that is what you choose.
I can't get a new dr here where I am... my pm specialist tells me to see my GP for my ongoing prescription, and she WON'T prescribe it... asks me my age (29) and gives me a vile look and says she won't give me pain meds b/c "you don't need morphine, you're too young to be in that kind of pain." Ummm... OK.... so I wear 2 of said moprhine patches just to get a little relief, and she won't help me at all... (I have 2 congenital neurological conditions and then some, so my age should be irrelevant.)
Dr's are above reproach.... this one won't even give me the time of day! *sigh*
*shrugs*
I guess b/c I'm young I shouldn't feel this debilitating pain... I certainly don't choose it... silly dr.
Why dr's feel they can schedule 5 ppl for one time slot is beyond me... I'm guessing the quality of our medical care parallels the qualtiy of life we have... sadly.
I'm rambling, forgive me...
Tyler, I hope you find some relief soon, and are able to get yourself a dr with better time management skills. And bless the dear receptionist you have who is courteous. Ppl like that, with their sweet little efforts make the day go that much better. :)
Good luck finding a dr., if that is what you choose.
I can't get a new dr here where I am... my pm specialist tells me to see my GP for my ongoing prescription, and she WON'T prescribe it... asks me my age (29) and gives me a vile look and says she won't give me pain meds b/c "you don't need morphine, you're too young to be in that kind of pain." Ummm... OK.... so I wear 2 of said moprhine patches just to get a little relief, and she won't help me at all... (I have 2 congenital neurological conditions and then some, so my age should be irrelevant.)
Dr's are above reproach.... this one won't even give me the time of day! *sigh*
*shrugs*
I guess b/c I'm young I shouldn't feel this debilitating pain... I certainly don't choose it... silly dr.
Why dr's feel they can schedule 5 ppl for one time slot is beyond me... I'm guessing the quality of our medical care parallels the qualtiy of life we have... sadly.
I'm rambling, forgive me...
Tyler, I hope you find some relief soon, and are able to get yourself a dr with better time management skills. And bless the dear receptionist you have who is courteous. Ppl like that, with their sweet little efforts make the day go that much better. :)
tyler7
01-16-2004, 07:06 PM
There are inumerable problems with this country, across every facet of daily life, but I can say mostly pertaining to this topic, the United States is by far the richest nation in the world. Yet, save for the most neglected third-world countries, we have proportionally perhaps the worst healthcare system. All our money, all our resources, and the fact that we can't devise a national healthcare plan is what's TRULY absurd.
But hey, I guess as long as our richest 1% can buy new livers and such after month-long benders, everything's alright.....
But hey, I guess as long as our richest 1% can buy new livers and such after month-long benders, everything's alright.....
Cloie
01-17-2004, 02:45 AM
Your numerous observations about the absurdity of the whole system struck a chord with me. I have also often felt extremely indignant with the entire god-like aura that doctors seem to eminate. In some cases it is possible to simply choose a better doctor. However, the system is not set up to so readily permit patients much choice when it comes to certain medical needs. Sometimes, a particular doctor is the only specialist within a reasonable distance that accepts a particular type of insurance or the only one who isn't booked 4 months in advance. Despite their extensive training and years of education, they are still, in fact, only human and riddled with all of the human frailties, personality quirks and character flaws of us mere mortals, such as arrogance, intolerance, prejudices, misogeny and yes, even misdiagnoses, however loathe they are to admit they are capable of making mistakes or of not having a clue. I believe they are trained to act as if they know everything, even when they don't, in order to instill confidence in their patients, as this seems to be a global personality flaw with the majority of them. Finding a specialist who is confident enough to admit they're not sure or don't know is a rarity to be treasured and shared. A web site of good/bad experiences with drs. would be a useful informational consumer source. Cloie