Re: Re: Dr. Cush, phone consultation, 2nd opinions, & hurting your doctor's feelings

[Guest guest]

I disagree, some people have good relationships with their Physicians and it may

feel like to the patient that you would be hurting the docs feelings. As I had

stated in an earlier email, if you have this good relationship with your doc

then they will not mind listening to your concerns and discussing them with you,

even if you ask for a second opinion the doctor will not get his/her feelings

hurt. I know its hard when you have a long standing relationship with your doc,

but they will understand, if they don't they do not have your best interests in

mind.

Phone consultations are not intended to be patient talking to a new doc on the

phone, they are intended to be one specialist to another as a courtesy. It does

not hurt for you to ask your Physician to make that call for you, mainly to see

if the doctor they are consulting with thinks it would benefit you the patient

to go and see this other doctor.

The other thing that patients need to remember is that Physicians are in the

practice of medicine, they do not know everything, and with Still's it is a

diagnosis of exclusion, it is hard to diagnosis because it can look like several

other autoimmune disorders.

I have been on both sides of this fence, Physician now being the patient, it is

not easy for me either, lots of frustration not knowing myself alot about

Still's what the heck is going on. I worked in the ER for 25 years, I am not a

Rheumatologist, that is why we have doctors who have specialize in different

areas.

This is just my opinion

Take care everyone and have a good week

________________________________

To: Stillsdisease

Sent: Sun, January 24, 2010 9:18:33 PM

Subject: Re: Dr. Cush, phone consultation, 2nd opinions, &

hurting your doctor's feelings

 

I'd like to make a comment about phone consultations. Most doctors will NOT do

phone consultations with laymen. It's just too hard for them to be able to

assess a situation long-distance. Most will do phone consultations with other

doctors out of professional courtesy.

Truthfully, a good rheumatologist needs to be able to see and touch patients,

palpate the spleen and lymph nodes, look at the nail beds, listen to the pulse

in your legs/feet.

The second reason most docs dont' do phone evaluations with laymen i because

most insurance companies won't compensate a doctor for time spent on the phone

with someone who may never become a patient. It's asking for a freebie opinion

during time that could be spent with a paying patient. Would you ask for a free

office exam? Of course not. And because the patients aren't there and insurance

won't cover it, collection of payment is difficult. When I can't see my shrink,

I've asked about doing a phone session. What's the difference in that case? It's

just talking and the docs know me. But again, insurance won't pay for the

session unless the patient shows up. That's HMOs ding you $50 for missing an

appointment when you only have a $10 co-pay!

I may sound cynical, but remember, I used to work in a doctors' office. I know

which calls got returned and which didn't. I'm the one who'd have called you

back and said, " Sorry, Dr. X doesn't do phone evaluations. "

Anyway, you can try asking for a phone consultation, but you're more likely to

get a response if YOUR doctor consults with Dr. Cush about your treatment. I

suspect that a lot of patients " diagnosed " with Stills go to see Dr. Cush only

to find out that they don't have Stills. In the time I've been on this list,

I've seen a couple of people pop up with what I consider to be questionable

diagnoses--- like the person who mentioned that he was diagnosed by an ER doc.

That's supect right off the bat. Or people whose docs have had " 3 cases in 2

months. " This disease is rare and the odds are just in favor of a mistake. Or

the person who had only been sick for a few weeks, way too soon to rule out

viral illnesses and come to a Stills diagnosis. Don't get me wrong, I am not

questioning that any of the people who come here are not sick, not in pain---I'm

sure they are. And maybe it was because I myself was misdiagnosed for TWENTY

YEARS that I don't trust doctors to

always know what they are doing. It's like that joke: What do you call the

medical school student who graduates last in his class? Answer: Doctor. Just

having an MD doesn't mean that a doctor doesn't make mistakes. And even the

smartest doctor has bad days or just makes errors.

All of these things add up to why most docs won't do phone consultations with

laymen. Oh, then there are lawsuits. I forgot about the legal implications. In

this litigious society, a doctor is just asking to be sued by giving a diagnosis

without an examination (but confirming a cohort's diagnosis is a different

thing).

Lastly, to the husband who won't get a second opinion because he doesn't want to

hurt his doctor's feelings? Let me assure all of you, any doctor who gets upset

about a second opinion is hiding something: a bad diagnosis, improper

medication, whatever. Finding out that the doctor you have is doing the right

thing will only make you trust your doctor MORE, afterall, you've had his

diagnosis or treatment confirmed by the other doctor. And if there is a better

treatment out there that your doctor didn't offer, don't you want to know about

it? To know all of your options.

A quick story: when I first got married (to the man I'm now divorcing), his

first wive told me over the phone that she had been to her GP and he'd told her

that she had cervical cancer and would need a hyterectomy. She was still in her

early 30s and hoped to get married and have more children. Wanting to make nice,

I asked her to fax me her pathology report which I gave to my former boss, a

GYN-Oncologist. He told me that unless there's something he's unaware of, she

doesn't need a hysterectomy at all. Mind you, the first wife had no insurance

(this is a very expensive surgery), worked as a temp and had no sick time.

Recovery from a hysterectomy is about 6 weeks and she had no nest egg of money

either. She didn't want to get another opinion because HER MOTHER (also a

patient of this doc) thought it would hurt the doc's feelings. I finally

convinced her to get a 2nd opinion and she goes to---the partner of the doctor!!

And he says the same thing.

Finally I convinced her to go to an outside doctor. This doctor told her that

she didn't need a hysterectomy at all (backing up my former boss). That doctor

also wanted to know who had mutilated her cervix so badly. It turned out that

the previous procedure done was something that no good doc had done in 20

years!!

The first wife went to Emory Hospital which has a real GYN-Onc Department and

has been followed there ever since. She went on to remarry and have a baby about

6 years ago.

The moral to take out of this: screw feelings! The doctor is not your friend, he

works FOR you (though we often forget that). Do you want to be alive or dead and

have your doc's feelings intact? It sometimes comes down to that. And you never

know. If all goes well, the 2nd opinion will back up the first and you can go

happily back to your doctor. But if the opinion doesn't match, you may be

receiving incorrect or substandard treatment. Or there may be another option

with fewer risks or side effects that your doctor missed.

There is never anything wrong with getting a 2nd opinion. Tell your husband not

to be an idiot. And tell him about my STBX's first wife.

[Guest guest]

 

I could not agree more fully or wrote it better then did. Her being on

both side of the fence also gives a nice light to it also.

 I do know I had a RA doctor who was against any 2nd opinions flat out but that

was his ego more then any thing as he was a writer, teacher and lecture of Ra

matters. Now the rest of my Doctors at the time it was them telling me to go get

a second opinion to help them and me understand what was going on as they did

not know. Well I did as they suggested ended up being DX with stills and they

all but the one worked together to help me . the problems I have had both  in

medication mixes and in them dam near killing me were all from the one doctor

not listening to Me or the other doctors helping in my care. I have had the same

thing show it ugly head a few times as I have moved or needed to find new

doctors but I will say it is not an normal but a few Doctors for what ever

reason get upset and like has been said it is them few that really did not have

your best in mind any way. Now the doctors I have to day not only send me to

specialist but will even

tell me that kind of care is over them or things along that line. They are also

willing to listen to me what I suggest and if it’s a bad Idea they explain

why. When I have gone for a second opinion they always ask if I would please

make sue them also get a copy of the other doctor’s report so they can learn

or confirm what there thinking about my illness and care. but one thing I DO NOT

DO is DELIBRETLY get aggressive with them if I have to do that then I should not

be seeing them in the first place . now that is my opinion base on one side of

the fence but from years of good and bad Doctors and how I have gotten better

care as I go down my Stills path.

Hugs all

 

the redneck

Marty G.

________________________________

 

From:  

 Dr. Cush, phone consultation, 2nd opinions, & hurting your doctor's feelings

I disagree, some people have good relationships with their Physicians and it may

feel like to the patient that you would be hurting the docs feelings. As I had

stated in an earlier email, if you have this good relationship with your doc

then they will not mind listening to your concerns and discussing them with you,

even if you ask for a second opinion the doctor will not get his/her feelings

hurt. I know its hard when you have a long standing relationship with your doc,

but they will understand, if they don't they do not have your best interests in

mind.

Phone consultations are not intended to be patient talking to a new doc on the

phone, they are intended to be one specialist to another as a courtesy. It does

not hurt for you to ask your Physician to make that call for you, mainly to see

if the doctor they are consulting with thinks it would benefit you the patient

to go and see this other doctor.

The other thing that patients need to remember is that Physicians are in the

practice of medicine, they do not know everything, and with Still's it is a

diagnosis of exclusion, it is hard to diagnosis because it can look like several

other autoimmune disorders.

I have been on both sides of this fence, Physician now being the patient, it is

not easy for me either, lots of frustration not knowing myself alot about

Still's what the heck is going on. I worked in the ER for 25 years, I am not a

Rheumatologist, that is why we have doctors who have specialize in different

areas.

This is just my opinion

Take care everyone and have a good week

[Guest guest]

Marty,

I need to enlist you as a good source of information from a patient side, you

would make a great patient advocate.

No need to get angry at any medical staff personnel, if they are not willing to

help you, you need to find someone who will, even if it means finding yourself

another doctor.

Marty it is getting scary, we think to much alike, but I am in great company

with you around!!!

Take care,

________________________________

 

 

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The materials and information contained in this message are not intended to

replace the services of a trained health professional or to be a substitute for

medical advice of physicians and/or other health care professionals. The

International Still's Disease Foundation is not engaged in rendering medical or

professional medical services. You should consult your physician on specific

medical questions, particularly in matters requiring diagnosis or medical

attention. The International Still's Disease Foundation makes no representations

or warranties with respect to any treatment, action, application, medication or

preparation by any person following the information offered or provided within

this support form. 

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[Guest guest]

Permission granted. well that is tell I get P.O. and want to reach out and choke

someone! then maybe I would not be good in doing that. would be a time of do as

I say not as I do. LMAO!

Hugs

 

the redneck

Marty G.

________________________________

From:  

 Re: Dr. Cush, phone consultation, 2nd opinions, & hurting your doctor's

feelings

Marty,

I need to enlist you as a good source of information from a patient side, you

would make a great patient advocate.

No need to get angry at any medical staff personnel, if they are not willing to

help you, you need to find someone who will, even if it means finding yourself

another doctor.

Marty it is getting scary, we think to much alike, but I am in great company

with you around!!!

Take care,

____________ _________ _________ __

 

 

Messages in this topic (27)

Recent Activity: * New Members 2

Visit Your Group Start a New Topic

Visit the Still's Disease Message Board

http://disc. server.com/ Indices/148599. html

The materials and information contained in this message are not intended to

replace the services of a trained health professional or to be a substitute for

medical advice of physicians and/or other health care professionals. The

International Still's Disease Foundation is not engaged in rendering medical or

professional medical services. You should consult your physician on specific

medical questions, particularly in matters requiring diagnosis or medical

attention. The International Still's Disease Foundation makes no representations

or warranties with respect to any treatment, action, application, medication or

preparation by any person following the information offered or provided within

this support form. 

ion by any person following the information offered or provided within this

support form. 

MARKETPLACE

Going Green: Your Yahoo! Groups resource for green living

Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use

..