Sometimes, it seems there is no end to problems encountered withing the medical system. Mostly, the nurses, doctors, pharmacists and all the people involved are wonderful and do their job. The ones who present with an attitude, ineptitude, and plain old orneriness cause stress to me and other patients and caregivers.
It seems that more and more even the people who make appointments are inaccessible during office hours. I am not asking for special treatment or access, just access
in a timely manner. Plus, I expect not to be the butt of jokes or the straight man for a doctor who has females for an audience and expects me to laugh along with the rest of his audience.
When I call some doctors for an appointment, I get the answering person for the whole building, not just for the practice. Then, I have to tell her what I want--doctor, nurse, or other options. I am happy because I assume I am in. Nope. Now, I must navigate the choices at the doctor's office. When I press the button designated for an appointment, I am directed to leave a message! Nooooo!
Okay. I am calm now. I leave a message and hang up, waiting for who-knows-how-long. The problem is that this is appointment is the most important, key to making other appointments that don't clash. So, now that I am expecting a call, how do I continue with this key piece of information missing. Plus, do I dare get on the phone for anything important, like another appointment or call that I don't want to dismiss and take the first call.
Plus, sometimes I hurry and get off the phone only to find myself the victim of spam. I know I can see who is on the phone first, but sometimes the caller cannot take and hint and rambles on about how I can call back and on and on, so I just click to get the incoming call. I have yet to figure out how to hold a call, usually losing both calls, so this is a stressor. Maybe it is just me on switching calls.
I had a question for a doctor and called the office, wanting the office person to ask him and call me back. I waited four business days and called back. She did not know the answer yet. This went on for three weeks. Finally, I asked pointed questions? I asked if he had gotten the note. Well, no, she did not write a note. How does she communicate with him, then. I just wait until I can catch him and ask him. WHAT? That was last year. I am biding my time until I find another doctor of same specialty and will fire him.
I was scheduled for an angiogram and having stents put in arteries if needed which the doctor is sure I need. Well, he was put out that I asked questions in an appointment before the procedure. I did not finish one sentence or one question since he interrupted each time I spoke. He either finished my sentence, made a face or questioned why I would even need to know that. Then, he used what I said to make a joke and looked to the three women in the room to laugh. He stayed in the room less than ten minutes. The nurse who said, "Just call me if you have any questions" was inaccessible no matter which number I called. I was calling to cancel the appointment for the procedure. So, now they probably have mean notes about me and my "no show/no call."
During numerous xrays and MRIs, I have been treated shoddily or hurt. So, now I am willing to drive over 80 miles for an MRI. The technicians are very easy and listen when I comment that my back is injured and the wedge should not be ripped from under my knees without warning. One guy when I winced and moaned, and commented that he hurt my back said, "I am just doing my job." Not only was he rough and very remote, it looked like that had called in the maintenance man for my MRI.
Whoever scheduled my sonogram for thryroid scheduled it 108 miles from here instead of the closer city. I don't even have a guarantee of treatment like the one 80 miles from here. If I am going to take chances of getting good treatment, I will chance it closer to home.
Most doctor's offices can get out a call-in prescription in two days. Right? Nope. the doctor with the phone answerer who "catches" the doctor to give a message is the worst. It sometimes takes five days to get a refill called to the pharmacy. I know I should not wait until I only have two days left of a med, but I do sometimes.
There are some doctors I treasure and will never complain about because they are so wonderful, listening and responding. They dispense medical advice and respond to queries. And, I love all the nurse practitioners, female and male. Well, one NP was a toad and I hated her and her attitude, but there always has to be one, right?
So, that makes one doctor I have fired and another is on the radar. I have determined he has to go, but I need a new one in his specialty and want one more trip to find out one thing.
The trouble is that with all the means of communication we possess, it seems the system for pressing buttons in the phone systems is causing more delays than progress.
I know you can relate. Share your frustrations with medical care. Maybe slugmama can share or post links to her drama a few years ago. Her doctor made the news for all the wrong reasons.
Do you have to wait on a call to schedule an appointment. Do you have a doctor who thinks he is there to entertain the nurses and techs?
Go ahead. Rant.
My husband used to work twenty minutes from the hospital where he needed an appointment. He called and waited and waited and waited. He got in his car and drove over and gave them an ear full, made his appointment, and went back to work.
ReplyDeleteI asked a Dr. an unrelated question to what i was seeing him for. He cut me down to size for doing that. “Do you want me to answer that question or do the procedure?” That was the last time i saw him. I got advertising in the mail from him and sent it back, “return to sender”. There are more but you have a life to live! 🤗
Debbie
Debbie,
ReplyDeleteI understand. We would have to just eat at the laptop if I shared it all with you, too...lol.
People without medical issues/needs will never know what we go through to get appointments, coordinate multiple appointments, get simple questions answered, or just the efforts we have to go to to get to the appointments. It adds so much stress to our minds and bodies. And we have to do it on a regular basis. I am sorry you have to be on the constant marry-go-round.
ReplyDeleteSassybear
https://idleeyesandadormy.com/
Sassybear,
DeleteSo true! It wears on my body and mind as it does yours. Hopefully, we can both find peace with medical providers.
I have had a whole day today of just what you wrote about. In fact I got up early so I could get an early start on it, First I have to say that my Primary Care Doctor is the best on all counts. But his office staff is no longer any good at all. When Covid came many of his staff had to quit because they had family they had to be careful for, or they themselves had medical conditions that they had to be careful for.
ReplyDeleteSo now they do have a bit fewer people in the office. But the people in his office now use the ability to have a message machine as a way to stand around talking and visiting. It often takes until the next day for them to return my call. When I have been to his office I have often seen the office staff talking and visiting but not answering any phones. I guess when they finish their chat, is when they may return a message.
My cardiologists office is not like that at all. They always either ask the doctor or call back within 15 minutes, and they answer the telephone, it's not an answering machine.Today I have been waiting all day, to hear either on their My Chart online service or for the doctor or someone to return my call as to what I should do about what sounds like a serious result seen on the xray that my doctor ordered. They simply are not giving him the message. I don't believe that he would ignore this problem. Tomorrow, I will call my cardiologist and see if I can get hold of him to see what he thinks. My cardiologist is a kind person, I'm like the lion that remembered the boy pulling a splinter out of its foot. The cardiologist permitted me to have a few ice chips after I had been in the hospital after about 12 hours waiting to get my afib cardioverted. So I always remember that minor kindness that did not seem minor at the time.
I remember years ago my mom being against nationalized medicine because we would not get the service that we did back then. Well in my area, right now, I am often not getting the service that should be expected, we pay a huge fortune for insurance, and now the wait to see my doctor, or any others is insane. Well, Mom, now I bet you would think the time has come for Nationalized Medicine. Lets just see how much more we can screw things up.
In my town where they do not put in stents or do the angiogram, I loved my cardiologist. I may go back to just have a sane conversation about all this. I am amazed when I get care like it used to be. Then, I am upset and appalled when I get a doctor mocking me in front of me! I will complain when I have the procedure done.
DeleteWe have a great way of communications with our doctors & specialists through "My Chart." They are really great about getting back with us. This is so much easier than back & forth phone calls. We can also view test results, follow-up office visit notes, prescriptions, etc. via My Chart. Do you have anything like that available there?
ReplyDeleteSMS,
DeleteYes, we do. But a three part question that depends on hearing the reply to the first part requires a more efficient means of discussion.
So sorry you are having problems.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
JAN,
ReplyDeleteThanks. I am getting it solved, i think.
What upsets me when health staff are inconsiderate is that when you are feeling unwell a little kindness and patience goes a long way towards helping feel safe & secure - being sick and having to see drs and get tests in stressful! I was a nurse for 20+ years and honestly I just think some are not cut out for it no matter how smart they might be! We can ring and leave a message at the drs reception and then the dr calls back at the end of the day or we can make an appointment for a phone call, they always pass the messages on at our practice. Our local hospital ER staff are great, and it gets really busy there but they have always been kind and helpful to people waiting. Scripts usually get written at the end of the day you ring and sent either to your phone or to your chemist, if they are busy it might be the next day. I hope all your tests & procedures go OK.
ReplyDeleteThere are some staff who make you feel bad about being ill and needing something. I would even be happy about next day prescription. I have one doctor that takes as long as four days. He is the same one whose staff waits to catch him to pass on questions or needs. I just call my family doctor now.
DeleteToday, the doctor's nurse was taking information as I talked. Halfway through our conversation, she said she had sent the prescription. I appreciated that but was not pressing for her to do it right now. They send them electronically, so not sure why that doctor took four days. Even if they are out of the office, it would be nice if someone contacted me and told me so. Thanks.
I'm so sorry you have been treated so badly. For me, I have to say that my medical experiences have always been excellent. My insurance covers me worldwide so I can get treatment just across the border in Switzerland or here in France (although Switzerland is 4 times the price of France). You get the appointment quicker in Switzerland for that reason, but even here in France I have to say I've always been treated very well. Lucky me, I guess!
ReplyDeleteTreaders,
DeleteI did not have complaints either, until I developed multiple autoimmune diseases and have had to have multiple appointments with many doctors. It seems the more I need, the worse the treatment has been in many cases. I don't run from doctor to doctor or ask for anything unreasonable. Most of my doctors are excellent. The jerks are the problem. I am glad you have positive experiences.
DOn't even get me started on medical....
ReplyDeleteKim,
DeleteI know. I could write a book!
These are common complaints. There are many factors that play into these faults. It is hoped there is enough feedback to make changes to the good.
ReplyDeleteUrspo,
DeleteI won't say a word until the procedures are done. I don't want to burn bridges. Hopefully, things will change.