Doctor's Make Mistakes

[Guest guest]

Ralph Brandt Ralph.brandt@...> wrote: It is your body,

not his if he screws up.

This really hits home with me right now. I just went on Medicare a couple of

months ago and, though Medicare usually doesn't pay for annual physicals, they

do allow one within the first 6 months -- a Welcome to Medicare plan.

Well, I'm new to my doctor (new to Pensacola, so had to search for one that

would take Medicare -- the one I really wanted to use is not taking new

Medicare patients until the fall). Anyway, I went for my physical and was

totally disappointed. She did a pap test, but I really can't say that she did a

pelvic or rectal exam. The only other things she did was shine the light in my

eyes, ears, and mouth (but not looking, or she would have noticed that I have

two crowns missing and in need of replacement), and she brushed the stethascope

over my back twice, but did not ask me to take a deep breath or anything.

Finally she gave me an oral test for cognitive function. She did not examine my

skin, palpate my abdomen or stomach, do a neurological screen, check my joints,

or anything else. She didn't question me about how I was doing with my diabetes

(I called her office a couple of weeks ago to ask for a referral for diabetes

education, which I have next week).

Now, this would be bad enough if I were a healthy 30 year old, but I have

asthma, two spinal fusions, a knee replacement, arthritis in hands hips and

other knee, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes -- not an

exhaustive list, but you can see that I am at high risk for a number of things.

I did ask if I could have an echocardiogram because Permax, the drug I use to

control my restless legs syndrome has caused some heart valve damage in

patients. She said she didn't think Medicare would cover that because it was a

drug-related thing unless I had symptoms. I reminded her that I did have a

symptom that concerned me.

I realize I could have spoken up at the time, but, to be honest, I was so

stymied by the lack of importance she seemed to place on this visit, and it

takes me awhile to really gather my thoughts and feelings together. But I sure

am clear about them now. I just have to figure out how I am going to get the

physical exam I think I deserve for the money that Medicare is paying.

First, though, I'm going to do two things: write to this doctor and tell her

of my dissatisfaction, and write to the doctor I want to see (who is a board

certified internist with interests in women's health, high blood pressure, and

diabetes) to see if I can prevail upon her to take me as a patient. (I learned

that the doctor I'm going to now, who was recommended by a friend, is not even

board certified in family medicine or any other specialty, and has her degree

from the Philippines [she is Filipino]).

There...I got that off my chest. Thanks for letting me vent.

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[Guest guest]

,

There are also American drs that can have the same attitudes

that this dr gave you.

I went to a dr one time, who was in Family Medicine, and she was

American and I got an attitude like you would not believe when

it came to my care in 2003 when I was trying to find out what

all the other possible causes of the pain I had going at the

time were.

As for the issue of board certification, drs who get licensure

to practice medicine have to also be in practice in an office

setting for a period of about 2 years so that they can acquire

the knowledge in a public setting before they go for their

boards. I know that this is the case with OB/GYNs. Sometimes

the best drs are not board certified right away. And as I say

they need to be in practice for a couple of years at least

before they can go take their boards.

I think the same is true for Internal Medicine.

But that's good that you are going to find a dr that is better

suited for you. Whether they are foreign born or American the

important thing is that you feel comfortable with their bedside

manner as well as their knowledge about the issues you have.

Daughter of Type 2 Insulin Dependent Diabetic,

Kristy

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[Guest guest]

There are also American drs that can have the same attitudes that this dr gave

you.

Kristy,

I was not disturbed that she was foreign at all. There are a couple of things

I am reacting to: many people who can't get into U.S. medical schools go to

school in the Philippines. That doesn't necessarily make them better or worse

physicians when they go into practice (my rheumatologist for many years went to

school in the Philippines, but returned to the U.S. for his residency and got

certified in Rheumatology). But, I am seeing that this doctor is not certified

in any specialty, though bills herself as having a Family Medicine practice.

This isn't illegal, but why wouldn't a doctor want to go through the steps to

become certified, especially in this specialty-crazed world? Additionally, she

does not report being affiliated with any medical organizations. When I add all

this to my personal experience with her, I am seeing a person who is less than

thorough or enthusiastic in her career.

My dogs get better annual physicals than I got.

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[Guest guest]

,

Thank you for clarifying.

As for the foreign medical schools sometimes American Medical

Students have to go over there for a time b/c of the criteria to

get in Medical Schools here. It's amazing the criteria they

have sometimes.

As for why this dr isn't board certified maybe she is not able

to yet nor wishes to if she does have certification in a

specific specialty (meaning she completed a residency, and such

as with OB/GYN thanks to a book I just checked may start for the

boards a year after the residency is completed starting with the

written part). Board certification in a specialty is not

mandatory but is voluntary. But it is helpful to have someone

who is board certified b/c it shows further their

qualifications. But as for specific organizatons such as the

AMA as an example:

My OB/GYN is not a member of ACOG any longer, you have to pay a

membership fee to do that. The dr has to pay to be a member of

the AMA or the American College of Surgeons.

A license gives the dr the right to practice any medicine, but

as I'm picking up from this one book I have that doesn't make

them qualified to care for the patient in the way they need to

be as you discovered. Which makes sense why one would try to

have someone who is board certified.

If this dr had just completed a residency in a specialty then

whether or not she is board certified yet doesn't matter. Is

this clinic you went to like a walk-in clinic? B/c FMGs

(foreign medical graduates) often try for places like this while

they try to get their residencies done, or work toward boards if

they so choose.

But I don't blame you for wanting someone who is board

certified.

I'm curious to know the name of this dr that you want to go to

b/c I want to see if they come to ville too.

Thanks again for clarifying what you meant. You had me worried

there for a second. Pls forgive me.

Daughter of Type 2 Insulin Dependent Diabetic,

Kristy

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[Guest guest]

After about 5 years with an uncaring doctor I finally found an AWESOME doctor.

THe doctor before I felt like did not give a crap about me and I ended up

referring myself to an ENT and 2 weeks later was having surgery! He just didn't

listen to me when I told him meds were NOT working and it turns out meds do not

work for enlarged adenoids..duh!

My current doctor is awesome! SHe is young and new but she will spend 30 mins

with me if needed! She actually LISTENS to me too and knows and understands how

knowledgable I am about my health and everything that goes with it. She takes

control of things right away instead of letting them get wrose. She diagnosed

my diabetes! I had asked my GI about it for 2 yearsa nd he was basically

waiting for it to get worse. Well when I saw my new primary doc she did

something at the 2nd visit!! I totally trust her! I feel SO very fortunate to

have found her and for her to accept me as her patient and keep me. She

recently moved clinics and asked me to come with her so I know she likes and

wants to take care of me! I've had lots of issues recently and I feel so good

about having her. SHE ROCKS!

~Marisa

dx. 5/21/06

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[Guest guest]

Kristy,

This doctor has had her Florida license since 1984 and is part of the Sacred

Heart Hospital Medical Group. I understand what you are saying, but I believe

that a doctor who seeks certification in his/her specialty (and Family Medicine

is a specialty), demonstrates more of a commitment to excellence. Same goes for

professional organizations. This goes not just for doctors, but for other

professions/careers. It doesn't guarantee anything, of course, and it also

doesn't mean that doctors without these credentials can't be excellent

practitioners, but I have to wonder about a doctor who doesn't pursue these

things. Does it also mean they don't keep up to date with new findings by

reading medical journals, for example. If they don't belong to any professional

organizations, they don't have as many opportunitites to keep up with new

practices.

The doctor I want to see is in Pensacola, and ville is quite a trip

from here. I am also going to ask the diabetes educator to recommend someone.

Thanks for taking the time to chat with me about this. I just had to vent my

frustrations.

Kristy Sokoloski sokokl@...> wrote:

If this dr had just completed a residency in a specialty then

whether or not she is board certified yet doesn't matter. Is

this clinic you went to like a walk-in clinic? B/c FMGs

(foreign medical graduates) often try for places like this while

they try to get their residencies done, or work toward boards if

they so choose.

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[Guest guest]

Marisa,

This is what I was accustomed to with my doctor in Atlanta, whom I really

loved. I wish I could move back to Atlanta now so I could see her again.

M M sisterpiranha@...> wrote:

My current doctor is awesome! SHe is young and new but she will spend 30 mins

with me if needed! She actually LISTENS to me too and knows and understands how

knowledgable I am about my health and everything that goes with it. She takes

control of things right away instead of letting them get wrose.

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[Guest guest]

what state and town did u move to ?? because I have a good doctor's and I live

in cookeville, tn

McGovern greytsmiles@...> wrote: Marisa,

This is what I was accustomed to with my doctor in Atlanta, whom I really loved.

I wish I could move back to Atlanta now so I could see her again.

M M sisterpiranha@...> wrote:

My current doctor is awesome! SHe is young and new but she will spend 30 mins

with me if needed! She actually LISTENS to me too and knows and understands how

knowledgable I am about my health and everything that goes with it. She takes

control of things right away instead of letting them get wrose.

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[Guest guest]

Charlie,

I am in Pensacola, FL, but don't much like it here, especially with hurricane

season. I plan to get back to Atlanta some day, but I have to stay put here for

now.

charlie nielsen charlieniel@...> wrote:

what state and town did u move to ?? because I have a good doctor's and I live

in cookeville, tn

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