tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25073771.post5200781898974371615..comments2023-11-05T04:05:03.588-08:00Comments on A Chronic Dose | A blog about chronic illness, healthcare, and writing.: Doctors as Advocates?Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10392908564921877962noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25073771.post-79984533869348043082010-03-23T10:23:41.903-07:002010-03-23T10:23:41.903-07:00I've been unhappy with my PCP, pretty much fro...I've been unhappy with my PCP, pretty much from the beginning. She's never understood my disease and how it affects the rest of my health and I'm left second guessing her medical advise--which is never good. I know how important having that advocate is--we can't do it alone! I'm having trouble finding a good dr who has a working knowledge of what I have or is willing to go the exta distance to help me. I've been trying to find a new dr recently and was wondering if you know of some good websites that would help me find good information/ratings on dr's in my area. Thanks!Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07002059843689990195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25073771.post-30017904540550669192010-03-23T04:12:12.462-07:002010-03-23T04:12:12.462-07:00Thanks for the feedback! While it is discouraging ...Thanks for the feedback! While it is discouraging to hear many similar experiences, at the same time it is good to hear that many of you have also been to find advocates for yourselves.Lauriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10392908564921877962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25073771.post-13891753894514464252010-03-22T18:48:23.913-07:002010-03-22T18:48:23.913-07:00I am physician/survivor who has seen chronic illne...I am physician/survivor who has seen chronic illness from both sides of the stethoscope. And, yes, physicians are obligated to advocate for their patients. <br /><br />When you sense something is not right about your loved one's care, find out if the hospital has a professional patient advocate on-staff, such as a patient ombudsman. You can also talk to the nurses, who might be able to make a recommendation. You can ask about a pain service consult. <br /><br />It is almost always better to work things out with the surgeon who operated, but sometimes it is best to switch surgeons (although it may be difficult to find a surgeon who is willing to take over a difficult case mid-stream). <br /><br />A 9/09 nytimes well blog column was devoted to patient advocates: http://tinyurl.com/mh9rwc<br /><br />patientadvocacy.org has good information, too. <br /><br />My blog on Healthy Survivorship often discusses healing physician-patient bonds. <br /><br />Medicine is an art based on science. You have every right to expect both expertise and compassion.<br /><br />With hope, WendyWendy S. Harpham, MDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09167276216970598762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25073771.post-85913913249448291952010-03-21T22:27:51.600-07:002010-03-21T22:27:51.600-07:00Hi, this surgeon sounds very weird and borderline ...Hi, this surgeon sounds very weird and borderline negligent. I'm a nurse and have never seen a doctor who doesn't do post-surgical followup. Three weeks for a CT scan is appalling. Telling a patient about different surgical outcome and different procedure just several minutes before surgery.. again, smacks of negligence. If that happened to me as a patient I'd cancel the surgery and get a second opinion. The surgeon sounds not very competent at patient management (ie followup, managing a case safely, giving test results etc). No, you do not have unreasonable expectations. None of this sounds good.Jennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25073771.post-30106842104115113952010-03-21T18:53:31.520-07:002010-03-21T18:53:31.520-07:00Hi Laurie.
It makes me sick,literally,that there a...Hi Laurie.<br />It makes me sick,literally,that there are still doctors out there who don´t seem to care about their patients.<br />I´ve seen some of those Dr. BS types myself, and somehow it seems like the ones who actually listen and try to find the right treatment TOGETHER with their patient are really rare nowadays.<br />When my mother broke her leg and needed surgery it was almost the same story as yours.<br />First it was a routine procedure,than it was a "little more complicated" than expected.<br />After surgery no doctor came by to look after her. I had to force her Dr.BS to finally take a look at her,just to find out that something went wrong during the operation.<br />It is so hard not to loose faith in doctors and trust them with your treatment.I just wish there was a way for patients to spread the word about those bad doctors and make them face consequences when they don´t treat them right.Dear Thyroidhttp://www.dearthyroid.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25073771.post-70842727044520638572010-03-21T12:33:52.535-07:002010-03-21T12:33:52.535-07:00I had the same problem with my spine surgeon. Exc...I had the same problem with my spine surgeon. Excellant surgeon;, however, no post surgical visit. Just a brief, 2 minute visit from his assistant and dismissed from hospital.<br /><br />At least he was better than another surgeon. He came into my room after surgery and admitted he had nicked a nerve. My legs were on fire and I was screaming in pain. Then, I went home with an infection in my incision.Ann Gourieuxnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25073771.post-37113790544895810812010-03-21T06:39:34.797-07:002010-03-21T06:39:34.797-07:00This is just not right--I've had a major spine...This is just not right--I've had a major spine surgery and a number of more minor procedures and definitely wasn't treated that way by my brilliant spine surgeon or his associate. I was informed about expected outcomes in advance, no change in story. The surgeon dropped by that night and his associate the next morning; when an emergency occurred the following day, they saw me as soon as I could get there even though it wasn't a day they see patients. And this seems to be typical for other people I've known who've had spine surgeries (one's not had good outcomes, but fusions didn't work for her). I am glad your family member has your support and experience.<br /><br />My rheumatologist is an advocate like your lung doctor is--I'm not sure I can afford his care on new insurance, though I'm also not sure that I can afford to do without him.FridaWriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03321658097813377806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25073771.post-6555661218753352732010-03-21T06:31:37.880-07:002010-03-21T06:31:37.880-07:00Argh! I think that your expectations are completel...Argh! I think that your expectations are completely reasonable. It frustrates me to see doctors treat their patients this way...and it's usually those of us patients who don't know better (yet) and think we have to deal with whatever the Doc is putting out there. <br /><br />So sorry you had to watch this painful episode unfold from the sidelines.Emilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17136475934858797611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25073771.post-966685955301516712010-03-20T22:04:07.363-07:002010-03-20T22:04:07.363-07:00What a harrowing story. It's so sad. We shou...What a harrowing story. It's so sad. We should all boycott doctors like this, regardless of their so called 'brilliance.'Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25073771.post-6209846379167928092010-03-20T20:07:36.963-07:002010-03-20T20:07:36.963-07:00You hit the proverbial nail on the head. That is ...You hit the proverbial nail on the head. That is what has been wrong in the VA system (and why I no longer use it) is that there is no advocate for us. Especially if you have CFIDS.<br /><br />I am so glad you have a great set of doctors. I am trying out a new one that I think may end up being a good match. Only thing is it will all come out of my pocket.<br /><br />But I am willing to do that if I can find a great doctor who will work with me, not against me.<br /><br />Thanks for this post. I hope your friend is recovering. I will keep her in my thoughts and prayers. I know that type of surgery can be very challenging!Dominiquehttp://www.4wallsandaview.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25073771.post-52149812089677412042010-03-20T15:45:20.533-07:002010-03-20T15:45:20.533-07:00Your expectations are completely reasonable. To be...Your expectations are completely reasonable. To be honest I don't know how anyone with a conscience could sleep at night knowing they hadn't yet followed up with that patient.Diana Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07003936391451383062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25073771.post-30984996648942401742010-03-20T12:43:29.534-07:002010-03-20T12:43:29.534-07:00absolutely. there is a huge difference between th...absolutely. there is a huge difference between the radiologist who placed a call immediately to my GYN when he found continued inflammation in my pelvis on a CT scan (and said GYN who immediately called me to make sure I was feeling OK)... and the docs who previously wrote off my pelvic pain as hypochondria. <br /><br />doctors who care and are advocates. absolutely.Rachelhttp://talesofmy30s.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com