Doctors

I don't know if any doctors read this site or not, but I wish they did.  We just had a huge scare today.  My husband had a CAT Scan 2 days ago and we know his cancer has spread to his liver.  He is back in chemo.  We know this.  Last week I filed SS disability paperwork for him.  I got home from work early today and my husband was getting dressed.  I asked him where he was going.  He said the doctor's office just called and wants me to come in.  I couldn't understand this as we already knew the scan results and he started more chemo yesterday.  This was his family doctor, not the oncologist.  So, scared out of our wits, off to the doctor we go.  They said "Oh, we called you in to help us fill out the paperwork for your disability claim"  ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!  I was livid.  Why didn't they tell us that over the phone instead of causing a panic situation.  I couldn't help but sit there and just bawl like a baby.  We've had so much stress lately and then to go through this.  Why are they so uncaring and unthinking?  Would it have hurt to say we need to see you to help fill out the paperwork?  What is wrong with these so-called educated people.  Doctors, PLEASE if you read this THINK TWICE WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

 

Thank you for letting me vent.

 

On 8/7/2008 chef4u wrote:

I don't know if any doctors read this site or not, but I wish they did.  We just had a huge scare today.  My husband had a CAT Scan 2 days ago and we know his cancer has spread to his liver.  He is back in chemo.  We know this.  Last week I filed SS disability paperwork for him.  I got home from work early today and my husband was getting dressed.  I asked him where he was going.  He said the doctor's office just called and wants me to come in.  I couldn't understand this as we already knew the scan results and he started more chemo yesterday.  This was his family doctor, not the oncologist.  So, scared out of our wits, off to the doctor we go.  They said "Oh, we called you in to help us fill out the paperwork for your disability claim"  ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!  I was livid.  Why didn't they tell us that over the phone instead of causing a panic situation.  I couldn't help but sit there and just bawl like a baby.  We've had so much stress lately and then to go through this.  Why are they so uncaring and unthinking?  Would it have hurt to say we need to see you to help fill out the paperwork?  What is wrong with these so-called educated people.  Doctors, PLEASE if you read this THINK TWICE WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

 

Thank you for letting me vent.

 

Always ask and don't assume anything in the future.  It saves a lot of truama and ill feelings.  If a doctor calls me and asks me to come in I sure as hell will ask "what for?"  If I get a call on the phone on scan or test results, I don't wait until I get there worrying and fretting all the time.  I ask for the results on the phone.  I hope you got on them on this and find out why it happened. If you get an uncaring response, get another primary Doc.  I hope things work out for you.  I was stage 3a colon cancer 3 years ago and I am NED at the time.  I always say "Pray,  Fight like hell & wrap your family and friends around you."  God Bless andGood Luck

Hi

I can understand why you were so scared but please realize it wasn't the doctors that called.  You have young people who aren't experienced in telephone manners and also just some plain unthinking/unsensitive people who work in doctors offices.  Thank heavens they are in the minority but it sure wasn't fair to you or your husband.  I would make the doctor aware of what happened in the hope that it doesn't happen to another person.  It is just plain ridiculous that you would even have to go there in person to help them fill out the paperwork.  As if you don't have enough to worry about. 

Diana

Re: Doctors

Venting is good, you have a valid point. There is NO reason for the Dr's staff to not tell you the reason for the unscheduled visit. Perhaps it could have been handled by phone, with your signing on another day. No wonder you were on 'overload', there was just too much happening all at once.

I firmly believe all medical staff should begin as patients, to see how 'the other side' works. Doctors are notoriously bad patients, they would learn a lot of 'what not-to-dos' during that time.

This may not be your Dr's fault at all, but they all do need to know how their office is staffed. There should be Secret Shoppers that Doctor's hire  to reinforce patient's rights, determining how their phone is answered, what the average wait-time for an appointment ends up being, how long is the in-office wait time once there . . .(ie. do they consistently overbook people and cause long waits, showing no consideration for patient's time?), just how courteous is the staff when the Dr. is not around, etc. Or perhaps a Consumers Rating System could be started. Further training is always a good idea. As a 3x survivor, I would LOVE to have more input on some of them than I do as a 'mere' patient!

I would speak to the Dr. about this and see if you 'connect' over the issue of needless worry and see if it helps you feel better about the way the office is run. If this is indicative of their usual M.O., maybe it's time to look around for another care facility. People who are ill, AND their caregivers, need to conserve their energy and this did not help. I don't know how far the drive was, but in my case it might be 30 min. to an hour each way

Be good to yourself and recharge your battery whenever you can. I head for the lake or disappear into a book, sometimes both at once~

Hope this helps.

Barb 

Hi Barb

I have to relate my experience at the Cancer Treatment Center of America where I underwent treatment.  They have little purple cards all over the center that have a fish on the front.  It says "You have been caught".  When someone does something nice for you, you can fill out one of the cards giving the person's name.  I know there must be a reward system because when I thanked a woman cafeteria worker last week for coming over to me last fall and asking me how I was and could she get anything for me - she asked me to fill out one of the cards.  I couldn't remember if I had thanked her or not I was so sick that day.  I think the cards are a gret incentive.  Also, every time I am there they have someone asking people filling out questionaires while waiting for a doctor.  It request your input as to waiting time, satisfaction with doctors, any problems being handled, etc - in all 3 or 4 pages.  You rate them on a scale ranging from poor to excellent.  Last week for the first time I added that I would like to have had more information on how they read the blood tests while I was going through treatment.  This was Thur and I got a call yesterday from my patient care manager who said "I heard you would like an explanation of your blood tests".  WOW!  My local hospital only sent me a notice for donations after my visits - I honestly think they got enough from our insurance company and us for the remaining unpaid balance without a donation.  I agree, it would be nice if all doctors requested input from their patients.  I wonder how anyone could go about accomplishing that? 

Diana 

On 8/7/2008 Dlynn1210 wrote:

Hi Barb

I have to relate my experience at the Cancer Treatment Center of America where I underwent treatment.  They have little purple cards all over the center that have a fish on the front.  It says "You have been caught".  When someone does something nice for you, you can fill out one of the cards giving the person's name.  I know there must be a reward system because when I thanked a woman cafeteria worker last week for coming over to me last fall and asking me how I was and could she get anything for me - she asked me to fill out one of the cards.  I couldn't remember if I had thanked her or not I was so sick that day.  I think the cards are a gret incentive.  Also, every time I am there they have someone asking people filling out questionaires while waiting for a doctor.  It request your input as to waiting time, satisfaction with doctors, any problems being handled, etc - in all 3 or 4 pages.  You rate them on a scale ranging from poor to excellent.  Last week for the first time I added that I would like to have had more information on how they read the blood tests while I was going through treatment.  This was Thur and I got a call yesterday from my patient care manager who said "I heard you would like an explanation of your blood tests".  WOW!  My local hospital only sent me a notice for donations after my visits - I honestly think they got enough from our insurance company and us for the remaining unpaid balance without a donation.  I agree, it would be nice if all doctors requested input from their patients.  I wonder how anyone could go about accomplishing that? 

Diana 

H Diana There is a website where one can rate their doctors and read the ratings of others as well. At this time I have two medical doctors, one a general practitioner and one in speciality medicine. The ratings range from one to five with five being the highest. In my own particular case, the many ratings on my two doctors average out to a rating of one for one of them and a five for the other. Those ratings fit exactly in with what my experience with them would predict. Here's the link if you'd be interested in checking it out. http://www.ratemds.com/social/

 

On 8/7/2008 chef4u wrote:

I don't know if any doctors read this site or not, but I wish they did.  We just had a huge scare today.  My husband had a CAT Scan 2 days ago and we know his cancer has spread to his liver.  He is back in chemo.  We know this.  Last week I filed SS disability paperwork for him.  I got home from work early today and my husband was getting dressed.  I asked him where he was going.  He said the doctor's office just called and wants me to come in.  I couldn't understand this as we already knew the scan results and he started more chemo yesterday.  This was his family doctor, not the oncologist.  So, scared out of our wits, off to the doctor we go.  They said "Oh, we called you in to help us fill out the paperwork for your disability claim"  ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!  I was livid.  Why didn't they tell us that over the phone instead of causing a panic situation.  I couldn't help but sit there and just bawl like a baby.  We've had so much stress lately and then to go through this.  Why are they so uncaring and unthinking?  Would it have hurt to say we need to see you to help fill out the paperwork?  What is wrong with these so-called educated people.  Doctors, PLEASE if you read this THINK TWICE WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

 

Thank you for letting me vent.

 

Most doctor surgery staff are not unthinking or insensitive there just trying to protect your Confidentiality when you ring up a doctor surgery they have to follow a stick code of conduct of Confidentiality doctor surgery staff will not give out any information about you even to the police unless a warrant is serve on the surgery this includes  any patient information over the phone they are trying to protect them self and you from litigation. So all they can do is tell you to come in to fill out paper work or get test results most times your protected from the reception staff from knowing test results as most time you have to see  the doctor to get your test results doctor  to patient          

Thanks Shemay -

I think it is a great idea - glad someone thought of it.  I will definitely check it out.  Imagine - being able to check a doctor out before you go to them.  I keep saying sometimes we forget that while someone graduated at the top of the class - someone also graduated at the bottom.  I'm a little funny about it but I would rather have one that at least was somewhere in the top. 

Diana

The little card 'reviews' are a great idea. Am also impressed with the speed with which your patient advocate returned to you for bloodwork explanation you'd requested, that IS impressive!

People don't get paid enough in most cases so a pat on the back is usually most welcome. It's also nice to tell their boss in person how impressed you are, if that is the case, in either a good or bad way. Too many people only gripe, but we all need compliments for a job well-done, or service above and beyond.

For years I've thought of printing out cards for restaurant service, a
flip-side for bad and good service. Many applications I can think of
for these.

Thanks for this info.

Barb 

 

On 8/7/2008 jcr65566 wrote:

 

On 8/7/2008 chef4u wrote:

I don't know if any doctors read this site or not, but I wish they did.  We just had a huge scare today.  My husband had a CAT Scan 2 days ago and we know his cancer has spread to his liver.  He is back in chemo.  We know this.  Last week I filed SS disability paperwork for him.  I got home from work early today and my husband was getting dressed.  I asked him where he was going.  He said the doctor's office just called and wants me to come in.  I couldn't understand this as we already knew the scan results and he started more chemo yesterday.  This was his family doctor, not the oncologist.  So, scared out of our wits, off to the doctor we go.  They said "Oh, we called you in to help us fill out the paperwork for your disability claim"  ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!  I was livid.  Why didn't they tell us that over the phone instead of causing a panic situation.  I couldn't help but sit there and just bawl like a baby.  We've had so much stress lately and then to go through this.  Why are they so uncaring and unthinking?  Would it have hurt to say we need to see you to help fill out the paperwork?  What is wrong with these so-called educated people.  Doctors, PLEASE if you read this THINK TWICE WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

 

Thank you for letting me vent.

 

Most doctor surgery staff are not unthinking or insensitive there just trying to protect your Confidentiality when you ring up a doctor surgery they have to follow a stick code of conduct of Confidentiality doctor surgery staff will not give out any information about you even to the police unless a warrant is serve on the surgery this includes  any patient information over the phone they are trying to protect them self and you from litigation. So all they can do is tell you to come in to fill out paper work or get test results most times your protected from the reception staff from knowing test results as most time you have to see  the doctor to get your test results doctor  to patient          

I understand all of that.  What I said was THEY CALLED US.  We DID NOT call them.  When they called, they could have said "TO FILL OUT PAPER WORK".  But they left us hanging.  It's not right and we are all on this board going through enough mental anguish without this happening.  I can understand it if we were the ones to call and asked questions, but again, they called us.  Excuse me for sounding like I'm yelling, but I had to get my point accross.