An Open Letter To Let Off a Little Steam

[Guest guest]

I ask for your forebearance as I don't get an opportunity to review

posted comments on a regular basis. I log in to view comments once

every 2-3 weeks or so and, occasionally, I feel the need to let off

some steam if I feel that our reputation has been unfairly harmed. It

is probably counterproductive within the whole scheme of things as I

just don't have the time to respond to each and every comment that

relates to the JRI.

I realize the tremendous advantages of having a support group such as

" surfacehippy " available and I appreciate that it provides a wonderful

service particularly to prospective hip replacement patients. As

someone who represents the " provider " side of the community, however,

it can be very disheartening to read comments that present only one

side of an issue, disagreement, event, etc...without the context and

perspective that is necessary and usually quite relevant. As health

care providers, we are prohibited from sharing " protected " information

regarding a patient. There are no similar restrictions placed upon the

general public in terms of posting comments regarding their

experiences with a surgeon or hospital, attitudes, opinions, etc...The

comment is posted; it is often accepted as fact in the absence of a

rebuttal; and, in reality, we simply don't have the time to respond.

None of us (surgeons, administrators, office staff, hospital staff,

etc...) are perfect but we all try VERY hard to render the highest

possible level of care and service to our patients within a fairly

demanding type of environment.

In my opinion, patients also have certain responsibilities and that

might inlude things such as NOT repeatedly using profanity when

communicating with office staff. I'm a pretty easy-going guy but there

are certain types of behavior that I and our surgeons simply won't

tolerate because it isn't fair to our staff and it isn't fair to

99.9999% of our " new " patients who are also struggling with severe hip

pain but who manage NOT to use profanity.

Thank you for your support and for giving me the opportunity to vent.

Chuck

Executive Director

JRI

[Guest guest]

Well said...

Every case is different. And we all want our case to be ideal. Some

are. Some can't be.

As to profanity...it's usually the raging refuge of those who are not

articulate enough to express their feelings more in more civil ways.

Alan

> I ask for your forebearance as I don't get an opportunity to review

> posted comments on a regular basis. I log in to view comments once

> every 2-3 weeks or so and, occasionally, I feel the need to let off

> some steam if I feel that our reputation has been unfairly harmed.

It

> is probably counterproductive within the whole scheme of things as I

> just don't have the time to respond to each and every comment that

> relates to the JRI.

>

> I realize the tremendous advantages of having a support group such

as

> " surfacehippy " available and I appreciate that it provides a

wonderful

> service particularly to prospective hip replacement patients. As

> someone who represents the " provider " side of the community,

however,

> it can be very disheartening to read comments that present only one

> side of an issue, disagreement, event, etc...without the context and

> perspective that is necessary and usually quite relevant. As health

> care providers, we are prohibited from sharing " protected "

information

> regarding a patient. There are no similar restrictions placed upon

the

> general public in terms of posting comments regarding their

> experiences with a surgeon or hospital, attitudes, opinions,

etc...The

> comment is posted; it is often accepted as fact in the absence of a

> rebuttal; and, in reality, we simply don't have the time to respond.

> None of us (surgeons, administrators, office staff, hospital staff,

> etc...) are perfect but we all try VERY hard to render the highest

> possible level of care and service to our patients within a fairly

> demanding type of environment.

>

> In my opinion, patients also have certain responsibilities and that

> might inlude things such as NOT repeatedly using profanity when

> communicating with office staff. I'm a pretty easy-going guy but

there

> are certain types of behavior that I and our surgeons simply won't

> tolerate because it isn't fair to our staff and it isn't fair to

> 99.9999% of our " new " patients who are also struggling with severe

hip

> pain but who manage NOT to use profanity.

>

> Thank you for your support and for giving me the opportunity to

vent.

>

> Chuck

> Executive Director

> JRI

[Guest guest]

Well said...

Every case is different. And we all want our case to be ideal. Some

are. Some can't be.

As to profanity...it's usually the raging refuge of those who are not

articulate enough to express their feelings more in more civil ways.

Alan

> I ask for your forebearance as I don't get an opportunity to review

> posted comments on a regular basis. I log in to view comments once

> every 2-3 weeks or so and, occasionally, I feel the need to let off

> some steam if I feel that our reputation has been unfairly harmed.

It

> is probably counterproductive within the whole scheme of things as I

> just don't have the time to respond to each and every comment that

> relates to the JRI.

>

> I realize the tremendous advantages of having a support group such

as

> " surfacehippy " available and I appreciate that it provides a

wonderful

> service particularly to prospective hip replacement patients. As

> someone who represents the " provider " side of the community,

however,

> it can be very disheartening to read comments that present only one

> side of an issue, disagreement, event, etc...without the context and

> perspective that is necessary and usually quite relevant. As health

> care providers, we are prohibited from sharing " protected "

information

> regarding a patient. There are no similar restrictions placed upon

the

> general public in terms of posting comments regarding their

> experiences with a surgeon or hospital, attitudes, opinions,

etc...The

> comment is posted; it is often accepted as fact in the absence of a

> rebuttal; and, in reality, we simply don't have the time to respond.

> None of us (surgeons, administrators, office staff, hospital staff,

> etc...) are perfect but we all try VERY hard to render the highest

> possible level of care and service to our patients within a fairly

> demanding type of environment.

>

> In my opinion, patients also have certain responsibilities and that

> might inlude things such as NOT repeatedly using profanity when

> communicating with office staff. I'm a pretty easy-going guy but

there

> are certain types of behavior that I and our surgeons simply won't

> tolerate because it isn't fair to our staff and it isn't fair to

> 99.9999% of our " new " patients who are also struggling with severe

hip

> pain but who manage NOT to use profanity.

>

> Thank you for your support and for giving me the opportunity to

vent.

>

> Chuck

> Executive Director

> JRI

[Guest guest]

Chuck:

Thank you for your letter. Would it surprise you to know that many of us

know exactly what/who you are talking about? Having taught college for

more years then I care to remember, I know what it is like to deal with a

mixed group of people. One runs into all kinds, it's the nature of the

institution.

We understand your position completely. I'm sure most of us here would

feel the same way and do the same thing. On the other hand, it is our

function, as a " recovering group " , to try and support those in need as

openly as possible. Mind you, we exist in cyber space where one can choose

to shut out someone (if we personally choose) or not. For us it is words

in play, you have face-to-face reality.

I am sorry you had to experience this. You did the right thing. Perhaps

the individual in question will learn something from this experience and

grow personally. This is what we hope for.

Lois

C+ 3/27/03 Dr. Mont

An Open Letter To Let Off a Little Steam

I ask for your forebearance as I don't get an opportunity to review

posted comments on a regular basis. I log in to view comments once

every 2-3 weeks or so and, occasionally, I feel the need to let off

some steam if I feel that our reputation has been unfairly harmed. It

is probably counterproductive within the whole scheme of things as I

just don't have the time to respond to each and every comment that

relates to the JRI.

I realize the tremendous advantages of having a support group such as

" surfacehippy " available and I appreciate that it provides a wonderful

service particularly to prospective hip replacement patients. As

someone who represents the " provider " side of the community, however,

it can be very disheartening to read comments that present only one

side of an issue, disagreement, event, etc...without the context and

perspective that is necessary and usually quite relevant. As health

care providers, we are prohibited from sharing " protected " information

regarding a patient. There are no similar restrictions placed upon the

general public in terms of posting comments regarding their

experiences with a surgeon or hospital, attitudes, opinions, etc...The

comment is posted; it is often accepted as fact in the absence of a

rebuttal; and, in reality, we simply don't have the time to respond.

None of us (surgeons, administrators, office staff, hospital staff,

etc...) are perfect but we all try VERY hard to render the highest

possible level of care and service to our patients within a fairly

demanding type of environment.

In my opinion, patients also have certain responsibilities and that

might inlude things such as NOT repeatedly using profanity when

communicating with office staff. I'm a pretty easy-going guy but there

are certain types of behavior that I and our surgeons simply won't

tolerate because it isn't fair to our staff and it isn't fair to

99.9999% of our " new " patients who are also struggling with severe hip

pain but who manage NOT to use profanity.

Thank you for your support and for giving me the opportunity to vent.

Chuck

Executive Director

JRI

[Guest guest]

Chuck:

Thank you for your letter. Would it surprise you to know that many of us

know exactly what/who you are talking about? Having taught college for

more years then I care to remember, I know what it is like to deal with a

mixed group of people. One runs into all kinds, it's the nature of the

institution.

We understand your position completely. I'm sure most of us here would

feel the same way and do the same thing. On the other hand, it is our

function, as a " recovering group " , to try and support those in need as

openly as possible. Mind you, we exist in cyber space where one can choose

to shut out someone (if we personally choose) or not. For us it is words

in play, you have face-to-face reality.

I am sorry you had to experience this. You did the right thing. Perhaps

the individual in question will learn something from this experience and

grow personally. This is what we hope for.

Lois

C+ 3/27/03 Dr. Mont

An Open Letter To Let Off a Little Steam

I ask for your forebearance as I don't get an opportunity to review

posted comments on a regular basis. I log in to view comments once

every 2-3 weeks or so and, occasionally, I feel the need to let off

some steam if I feel that our reputation has been unfairly harmed. It

is probably counterproductive within the whole scheme of things as I

just don't have the time to respond to each and every comment that

relates to the JRI.

I realize the tremendous advantages of having a support group such as

" surfacehippy " available and I appreciate that it provides a wonderful

service particularly to prospective hip replacement patients. As

someone who represents the " provider " side of the community, however,

it can be very disheartening to read comments that present only one

side of an issue, disagreement, event, etc...without the context and

perspective that is necessary and usually quite relevant. As health

care providers, we are prohibited from sharing " protected " information

regarding a patient. There are no similar restrictions placed upon the

general public in terms of posting comments regarding their

experiences with a surgeon or hospital, attitudes, opinions, etc...The

comment is posted; it is often accepted as fact in the absence of a

rebuttal; and, in reality, we simply don't have the time to respond.

None of us (surgeons, administrators, office staff, hospital staff,

etc...) are perfect but we all try VERY hard to render the highest

possible level of care and service to our patients within a fairly

demanding type of environment.

In my opinion, patients also have certain responsibilities and that

might inlude things such as NOT repeatedly using profanity when

communicating with office staff. I'm a pretty easy-going guy but there

are certain types of behavior that I and our surgeons simply won't

tolerate because it isn't fair to our staff and it isn't fair to

99.9999% of our " new " patients who are also struggling with severe hip

pain but who manage NOT to use profanity.

Thank you for your support and for giving me the opportunity to vent.

Chuck

Executive Director

JRI

[Guest guest]

You and JRI have been NOTHING but a pleasure!! I have had NO problem

whatsoever...in fact, I'm amazed at the attitude, response, etc. from

surgeons and staff. MY KUDOS goes to JRI!

In surfacehippy , " cadamsjri " wrote:

> I ask for your forebearance as I don't get an opportunity to review

> posted comments on a regular basis. I log in to view comments once

> every 2-3 weeks or so and, occasionally, I feel the need to let off

> some steam if I feel that our reputation has been unfairly harmed.

It

> is probably counterproductive within the whole scheme of things as I

> just don't have the time to respond to each and every comment that

> relates to the JRI.

>

> I realize the tremendous advantages of having a support group such

as

> " surfacehippy " available and I appreciate that it provides a

wonderful

> service particularly to prospective hip replacement patients. As

> someone who represents the " provider " side of the community,

however,

> it can be very disheartening to read comments that present only one

> side of an issue, disagreement, event, etc...without the context and

> perspective that is necessary and usually quite relevant. As health

> care providers, we are prohibited from sharing " protected "

information

> regarding a patient. There are no similar restrictions placed upon

the

> general public in terms of posting comments regarding their

> experiences with a surgeon or hospital, attitudes, opinions,

etc...The

> comment is posted; it is often accepted as fact in the absence of a

> rebuttal; and, in reality, we simply don't have the time to respond.

> None of us (surgeons, administrators, office staff, hospital staff,

> etc...) are perfect but we all try VERY hard to render the highest

> possible level of care and service to our patients within a fairly

> demanding type of environment.

>

> In my opinion, patients also have certain responsibilities and that

> might inlude things such as NOT repeatedly using profanity when

> communicating with office staff. I'm a pretty easy-going guy but

there

> are certain types of behavior that I and our surgeons simply won't

> tolerate because it isn't fair to our staff and it isn't fair to

> 99.9999% of our " new " patients who are also struggling with severe

hip

> pain but who manage NOT to use profanity.

>

> Thank you for your support and for giving me the opportunity to

vent.

>

> Chuck

> Executive Director

> JRI

[Guest guest]

Chuck,

You write...

" None of us (surgeons, administrators, office staff, hospital staff,

etc...) are perfect but we all try VERY hard to render the highest

possible level of care and service to our patients within a fairly

demanding type of environment. "

Hmmm. In my experience this needs an addition or two. Some of the

people are not perfect but act as if they are. Some of them do not try

very hard at all and are more concerned with preserving income from

existing operations, such as THR than learning now techniques that can

solve patients' problems better. And suggestions that this is the case

often meet a somewhat confrontational response.

(from the UK).

(L BHR 2002, R BHR 2004, Gent.)

>

> Chuck:

>

> Thank you for your letter. Would it surprise you to know that many

of us

> know exactly what/who you are talking about? Having taught

college for

> more years then I care to remember, I know what it is like to deal

with a

> mixed group of people. One runs into all kinds, it's the nature of

the

> institution.

>

> We understand your position completely. I'm sure most of us here

would

> feel the same way and do the same thing. On the other hand, it is

our

> function, as a " recovering group " , to try and support those in need

as

> openly as possible. Mind you, we exist in cyber space where one

can choose

> to shut out someone (if we personally choose) or not. For us it is

words

> in play, you have face-to-face reality.

>

> I am sorry you had to experience this. You did the right thing.

Perhaps

> the individual in question will learn something from this experience

and

> grow personally. This is what we hope for.

>

> Lois

> C+ 3/27/03 Dr. Mont

>

>

>

> An Open Letter To Let Off a Little Steam

>

>

> I ask for your forebearance as I don't get an opportunity to review

> posted comments on a regular basis. I log in to view comments once

> every 2-3 weeks or so and, occasionally, I feel the need to let off

> some steam if I feel that our reputation has been unfairly harmed.

It

> is probably counterproductive within the whole scheme of things as I

> just don't have the time to respond to each and every comment that

> relates to the JRI.

>

> I realize the tremendous advantages of having a support group such

as

> " surfacehippy " available and I appreciate that it provides a

wonderful

> service particularly to prospective hip replacement patients. As

> someone who represents the " provider " side of the community,

however,

> it can be very disheartening to read comments that present only one

> side of an issue, disagreement, event, etc...without the context and

> perspective that is necessary and usually quite relevant. As health

> care providers, we are prohibited from sharing " protected "

information

> regarding a patient. There are no similar restrictions placed upon

the

> general public in terms of posting comments regarding their

> experiences with a surgeon or hospital, attitudes, opinions, etc...

The

> comment is posted; it is often accepted as fact in the absence of a

> rebuttal; and, in reality, we simply don't have the time to respond.

> None of us (surgeons, administrators, office staff, hospital staff,

> etc...) are perfect but we all try VERY hard to render the highest

> possible level of care and service to our patients within a fairly

> demanding type of environment.

>

> In my opinion, patients also have certain responsibilities and that

> might inlude things such as NOT repeatedly using profanity when

> communicating with office staff. I'm a pretty easy-going guy but

there

> are certain types of behavior that I and our surgeons simply won't

> tolerate because it isn't fair to our staff and it isn't fair to

> 99.9999% of our " new " patients who are also struggling with severe

hip

> pain but who manage NOT to use profanity.

>

> Thank you for your support and for giving me the opportunity to

vent.

>

> Chuck

> Executive Director

> JRI

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Chuck,

Regardless if you are referring to one experience or an 'epidemic'

as it were, I can certainly understand your frustration.

I would like to offer you some props, though. Any person in

the 'provider' category who logs on to gain perspective from the

other side is alright in my book. I work in a cancer treatment

hospital where my mother is a patient and my boss is her caregiver.

Aside from my own personal experiences with healthcare, it never

ceases to amaze me how wide the canyon can grow between patient and

doctor. Here we have several overworked and underpaid social workers

whose job it is to smooth the relations between doctor and patient.

It is my guess that there are many members of this group who watch

often and post occassionally. (Probably those of us with the luxury

of a little time). Speaking for myself, as a science nerd, I am

looking for trends over time and over a wide range of issues. And

even that is just to support the facts. Personally, I am still very

tempted to just cram a needle full of WD-40 into these blasted hips.

Amy

> I ask for your forebearance as I don't get an opportunity to review

> posted comments on a regular basis. I log in to view comments once

> every 2-3 weeks or so and, occasionally, I feel the need to let off

> some steam if I feel that our reputation has been unfairly harmed.

It

> is probably counterproductive within the whole scheme of things as I

> just don't have the time to respond to each and every comment that

> relates to the JRI.

>

> I realize the tremendous advantages of having a support group such

as

> " surfacehippy " available and I appreciate that it provides a

wonderful

> service particularly to prospective hip replacement patients. As

> someone who represents the " provider " side of the community,

however,

> it can be very disheartening to read comments that present only one

> side of an issue, disagreement, event, etc...without the context and

> perspective that is necessary and usually quite relevant. As health

> care providers, we are prohibited from sharing " protected "

information

> regarding a patient. There are no similar restrictions placed upon

the

> general public in terms of posting comments regarding their

> experiences with a surgeon or hospital, attitudes, opinions,

etc...The

> comment is posted; it is often accepted as fact in the absence of a

> rebuttal; and, in reality, we simply don't have the time to respond.

> None of us (surgeons, administrators, office staff, hospital staff,

> etc...) are perfect but we all try VERY hard to render the highest

> possible level of care and service to our patients within a fairly

> demanding type of environment.

>

> In my opinion, patients also have certain responsibilities and that

> might inlude things such as NOT repeatedly using profanity when

> communicating with office staff. I'm a pretty easy-going guy but

there

> are certain types of behavior that I and our surgeons simply won't

> tolerate because it isn't fair to our staff and it isn't fair to

> 99.9999% of our " new " patients who are also struggling with severe

hip

> pain but who manage NOT to use profanity.

>

> Thank you for your support and for giving me the opportunity to

vent.

>

> Chuck

> Executive Director

> JRI

[Guest guest]

Hi Chuck,

I would have to agree that there really can never quite be any real excuse

for behaving badly......... So many of us here had to travel long distances

and cope with difficult communications to get our hips......... My first

interview with my OS saw me leave my home the night before and drive 1 hr

down a range, awake at 4 am and fly 3 hrs, spend the day 'waiting' for my 5

pm appointment, spend an hour waiting in his surgery.......... And I did all

this with a fused hip of 35 years, by now unable to really sit with any

degree of comfort anywhere but on the top of a table, transport was a

nightmare, my body was dying, I had painful joints in all directions

etc............

The first question he asked was what about me and who was I that would

satisfy him that he was wise to spend the necessary 6 hrs to do a very

difficult operation to give me a BHR............. Now I am a person prone to

using bad language at the drop of a hat, I was extremely tired by the then 6

pm.......... and I honestly wanted to reach across the table and throttle

him............... But commonsense told me he was about all I had in the

game of saving my life.......... so I behaved and did my best to answer his

questions quietly and sanely............ the bottom line always is there is

no alternative if one wants a life..............

Incidently I rang him the day I woke up in my own bed 3 weeks later after

flying home the day before and told him I finally knew why he asked me that

question........... Not everyone can handle what it takes to do some of

these things when it comes to rehab etc ......... and it isn't a matter that

we have unconditional rights that a surgeon made that extra effort or act

exactly as we please........... They are people too, they have lives,

families and bad hair days........just like us..............and the right to

say NO to people who insist on behaving badly..........

Edith LBHR Dr. L Walter Syd Aust 8/02

> I ask for your forebearance as I don't get an opportunity to review

> posted comments on a regular basis. I log in to view comments once

> every 2-3 weeks or so and, occasionally, I feel the need to let off

> some steam if I feel that our reputation has been unfairly harmed. It

> is probably counterproductive within the whole scheme of things as I

> just don't have the time to respond to each and every comment that

> relates to the JRI.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Chuck,

I would have to agree that there really can never quite be any real excuse

for behaving badly......... So many of us here had to travel long distances

and cope with difficult communications to get our hips......... My first

interview with my OS saw me leave my home the night before and drive 1 hr

down a range, awake at 4 am and fly 3 hrs, spend the day 'waiting' for my 5

pm appointment, spend an hour waiting in his surgery.......... And I did all

this with a fused hip of 35 years, by now unable to really sit with any

degree of comfort anywhere but on the top of a table, transport was a

nightmare, my body was dying, I had painful joints in all directions

etc............

The first question he asked was what about me and who was I that would

satisfy him that he was wise to spend the necessary 6 hrs to do a very

difficult operation to give me a BHR............. Now I am a person prone to

using bad language at the drop of a hat, I was extremely tired by the then 6

pm.......... and I honestly wanted to reach across the table and throttle

him............... But commonsense told me he was about all I had in the

game of saving my life.......... so I behaved and did my best to answer his

questions quietly and sanely............ the bottom line always is there is

no alternative if one wants a life..............

Incidently I rang him the day I woke up in my own bed 3 weeks later after

flying home the day before and told him I finally knew why he asked me that

question........... Not everyone can handle what it takes to do some of

these things when it comes to rehab etc ......... and it isn't a matter that

we have unconditional rights that a surgeon made that extra effort or act

exactly as we please........... They are people too, they have lives,

families and bad hair days........just like us..............and the right to

say NO to people who insist on behaving badly..........

Edith LBHR Dr. L Walter Syd Aust 8/02

> I ask for your forebearance as I don't get an opportunity to review

> posted comments on a regular basis. I log in to view comments once

> every 2-3 weeks or so and, occasionally, I feel the need to let off

> some steam if I feel that our reputation has been unfairly harmed. It

> is probably counterproductive within the whole scheme of things as I

> just don't have the time to respond to each and every comment that

> relates to the JRI.

>