Better health

By Magenta

October 8, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this

I’ve switched doctors numerous times. It was NEVER about the physician, and always about the support staff.

There was one office where the lady behind the desk would call out my full name in a loud voice and tell me they were “ready to collect” my co-pay of $__. They did this to every patient in the waiting room. Okay, it was before HIPAA, but the laws of common courtesy were still in effect.

I’ve had more than my share of bossy receptionists and psycho dental hygienists. It’s fact of life that the patient spends a lot more time dealing with office staff than they do with the physician. Physicians tend to be clueless about what goes on outside their sphere. As long as the employees show up, the doc is satisfied. Doctors should try asking their patients if they’re satisifed with the staff’s performance. They would get a major shock.

By Magenta

October 8, 2007 3:58 PM | Link to this

I’ve switched doctors numerous times. It was NEVER about the physician, and always about the support staff.

There was one office where the lady behind the desk would call out my full name in a loud voice and tell me they were “ready to collect” my co-pay of $__. They did this to every patient in the waiting room. Okay, it was before HIPAA, but the laws of common courtesy were still in effect.

I’ve had more than my share of bossy receptionists and psycho dental hygienists. It’s a fact of life that the patient spends a lot more time dealing with office staff than they do with the physician. Physicians tend to be clueless about what goes on outside their sphere. As long as the employees show up, the doc is satisfied. Doctors should try asking their patients if they’re satisifed with the staff’s performance. They would get a major shock.

By harold

October 8, 2007 4:06 PM | Link to this

boundaries? what boundaries? the doctor does what Harold says. PERIOD. It’s Harold’s body and Harold is the customer! if Harold is wrong about something, the doctor better able to convince Harold! If not, the doctor can find another sucker! Harold is the boss!!!

By Deborah

October 8, 2007 4:10 PM | Link to this

I agree with Magenta. The staff is definitely the reason I parted ways with my physician. On one occasion, I was very sick and was a walk-in and when I signed in, the receptionist said “too bad, the nurse just went for a nap.” I reminded the receptionist 45 minutes later that I was still waiting and she called the nurse, and apparently woke her up from her nap. I know there were no other patients waiting. By that time, I was running a fever of 103 and it was too late to get test results. I think the doctor was clueless.

By A-R

October 8, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this

I’m looking to part ways with my gyno. With every visit, she spends less than 10 minutes examining me and never has time for my questions! The last time I was there was towards the end of the day and she didn’t even wear her lab coat! She was dressed in her “street clothes” and rushed me out as soon as possible.

I made the mistake of refering a pregnant friend to her and she never even got to see my doc. After waiting 45 minutes, another doctor picked up her case. Pathetic.

By mp

October 8, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this

I have a condition that will require a life-long attachment to doctors. This is my opinion…doctors are like a pair of shoes…if you have a bad fit, get a new pair. You can throw a rock and hit 15 more who may be exactly what you need in experience and personality. And I second Harold’s view. It’s not about the doctor it’s about you and you make all the calls. This is your life and you run the show. He or she is just a bit player. Period.

By Kat

October 8, 2007 4:25 PM | Link to this

The way I see it, the days of having one family doctor from the cradle to the grave is long gone. What we have left is a business relationship. Nothing more, nothing less. If I like the quality of service I receive, I’ll do business with a particular doctor. If I don’t, I move on. There’s nothing sentimental about it, and it’s not about loyalty. If I get bad service or bad food at a restaurant, I don’t go back. A doctor’s office is no different. One thing that will get me to complain to a doctor every time is if I walk into the office and the receptionist asks me what I’m here for. I always say I don’t feel well. If they persist, I tell them I will discuss it with the doctor. Even if I’m just there for allergies or a sore throat, I have no intention of discussing it with a secretary in front of a room full of strangers.

By Receptionist

October 8, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this

I work in a doctor’s office and while it is never acceptable to be rude to a patient, patients need to understand that respect works both ways. Harold & mp, the doctor should not be a “bit player” in your healthcare relationship. If you are going to “call all of the shots”, go ahead and do it without wasting the doctor’s time. Rarely a day passes where a patient doesn’t come in already having diagnosed himself via the internet and/or demanding whatever medication is heavily advertised. No, doctors aren’t perfect but the are trained to provide sound medical advice. If you aren’t willing to trust your doctor, please don’t take time away from people who are their to get medical care.

By Charlene

October 8, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this

Yes. There are a lot of specialists, physicians and the like who simply do not know how to relate and talk to their patients - I’ve personally had to deal with a few. But there are also those wonderful ones still out there who take the extra time to make sure all your questions are answered and are aware of your options. I’m thinking of my childrens’ pediatrician, Dr. Jennifer Gottsman, with Pediatric Associates in Gainesville. I live in Atlanta but will drive the hour to get to her because she has always been there for my kids through various illnesses and health checkups. She knows my children well enough to know when they just have a cold or when it’s something more serious. She also listens to me if I want to talk about different options or ramifications.

Not only that but the staff there is always courteous and helpful. On the rare occasions when I’ve had to see another doctor, they’ve been very polite and professional as well.

Bravo guys! My children’s health is more important than my own to me and I’ll keep on driving to see you as long as your practicing. Thank you also, Dr. Gottsman. Even if you never hear about this post, I just want to express my thanks that you are one of the best doctors out there.

By kunifa

October 8, 2007 5:23 PM | Link to this

I went to an Emory Skin Cancer doctor for 17 years, have had over 50 removals and I recently fired my Mohs specialist because I simply got tired of scheduled appts running 3 hours late. I finally took a stand and limited my wait time to 45 minutes, and if he did not see me in that period, I simly got up, rescheduled, and tried it again. After several times of his staff playing games, I fired him! I to am a professional, and my time is just as valuable as his. It feels good to have a”caring” doctor now, and a staff who at least appreciates my hard earned payments! All of you should re-search for a second doctor as a “stand-by” source like I did. I interviewed several doctors before changing, then I changed. You can do this also, and today! DO NOT TAKE THE “RUSHED” APPROACH OF THESE “SPOILED BRATS”….

By Can't find a good doc

October 8, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this

I agree, the reason I left my doctor’s office was overwhelmingly due to the disgusting lack of customer service of the administration and support staff. It is almost laughable to call them “support”. North Fulton Family Medicine up in Alpharetta is the WORST!! I strongly advise people to make their storied be know so patients can make more educated decisions about their healthcare.

By Mony

October 8, 2007 6:05 PM | Link to this

I have United Healthcare and my Doctors are refusing to see me. There are several thousand in my group and I guess they are all in the same situation. United either doesn’t pay or doesn’t pay enough.So watch out for them.

By DiabeticsBeware

October 9, 2007 9:48 AM | Link to this

This is crazy, I work for a MAJOR corporation and have been diagnosed as being diabetic in the last year. Prior to that, healthy as a horse. My physician who has been my doctor for years has now changed his game. You can’t see him, you have to see the Nurse Practioner, who is an idiot. She gave me Advendia (a recently death proven drug in diabetics) without a sugar monitor and to be taken with Lipronisil. It almost killed me. I got to my doctor and told him of the adverse affects and how I had complained to his nurse about the affect. He had no clue of what I was talking about, told me that the meds were good and that the sugar monitor was an oversight. I went and found an endicronologist on my wn and it took three weeks for the staff of my doctor to send my records over. My doctor is excellent, its his staff. That is primarily why most are divorcing their doctors…

By James

October 9, 2007 11:40 AM | Link to this

I fired my doctor for having an affair with my wife! In addition to being sleazy, that’s actually an ethical violation, and he hasn’t heard the last of me.

By jbean

October 9, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this

I left my Primary MD back in the mid 1990s because she tested my urine tested positive for microscopic blood. I was put on several antibiotics over the course of several months, had two procedures (one which was so painful that the MD at Emory did not prepare me for it — fired him too). After everything came back negative, I told my OB/GYN the problem and he said (YES A MAN) that unless urine was taken out of my bladder sterile and showed blood, then as a woman, it is normal. You would think a WOMAN would know that BETTER than a MAN. I dropped her immediately. The Primary MD I have now is the best.

By Borus

October 9, 2007 1:17 PM | Link to this

Don’t EVER go to Monarch Dental. They are a national chain and I was fooled into thinking they were legit after seeing them on my “in network list.”

The office staff were idiots, the exam “rooms” filthy and the dentist kept insisting I do Xrays, even though I brought ones from my old dentist with me.

Too bad I had to move four hours away from my old dentist. He was wonderful.

Monarch Dental…BAD.

By GLS

October 9, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this

I fired my long time doctor 2 years ago because of constant billing errors and a completely incompetant office staff. The people who worked for my doctor were rejects from the 6th grade.

I have a new doctor who has a competant office staff that can answer simple questions, make appointments and who will actually call you back if they say they will.

By Morte

October 10, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this

Every med school graduating class has its top half and its bottom half. So, your chances of getting a dud are always 50/50. Don’t argue. Vote with your feet. You are in charge of your medical care. If your doctor won’t cooperate, find one who will.

By cara

October 10, 2007 11:15 AM | Link to this

My doctor is a real jerk but he knows his stuff. If I could fire him I would but my body dictates otherwise. If only he could sit through an appt without making you feel like he has someplace more important to be. If he hadn’t practically saved my life, I would tell him to stick it where the sun don’t shine!!! But, since he did save me from life threatening surgery, I’ll just sit and keep my mouth shut, for now.

By MyTV Doctor

October 10, 2007 11:20 AM | Link to this

My internist is the real Dr.House. I really think that the creator of that show must have been one of his patients. This man even has a limp. I won’t say his name but if you are a patient of his then you know what I’m talking about.

By Filster

October 10, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this

I did fire my doctor because we kept going round and round about my BMI (Body Mass Index) number, which has me as obese at my height/weight - 6’1” - 245 lbs. According to his 1950’s height weight charts, my ideal height is 196 lbs. I told him the BMI does not differentiat4e between someone like me, with a 48” chest and a 34” waist and someone with a 34” chest and a 48” waist, which to me is a substantial differnce. I work out, left weights, do cardio, eat well, and my frame is extra large. I carry my weight well (most in the upper body and thighs) but alas, I’m still obese. When I asked him how he thought I’d look at my “ideal” weight according to his 50-year old figures, he said “fantastic.” I told him I’d look like an Afircan famine refugee and that pretty much ended the doctor-patient relationship. My new doc had my circle my wrist with my fingers (the thumb and index finger did not meet) and said that was the approx size of my femur, that I had extremely large bones, and that for my build (mesomorph to the max) I was in great shape. Needless to say I canonly hope my old dinosaur doctor retires soon, or at least reads enough updated medicine to come into the 20th century at least. Bye doc.

By Mark

October 11, 2007 2:15 PM | Link to this

I went to my doctor complaining of a rather small penis. He told me to rub it with butter twice a day. I went back 2 weeks later for a followup. My penis had actually shrunk 2 inches. He asked what kind of butter I was using. I replied that I was actually using Crisco. “That’s the reason”, he explained to me. Crisco is a shortening!!