Do You Have a Good Relationship With Your Doctor? (Full Version)

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raspberry331 -> Do You Have a Good Relationship With Your Doctor? (7/21/2008 9:11:34 PM)

The average doctor visit lasts only 10 minutes. And many of us feel we don’t get a chance to discuss all our concerns. Do you find that you get enough time with your doctor when you see him or her? What are your tips for making the most of the time you have with your doctor?



MrsTracy72 -> RE: Do You Have a Good Relationship With Your Doctor? (7/21/2008 9:47:25 PM)

I think so. I don't see my doctor too often because she and two others work together and I see who has the first available appointment if I am sick. I see my doctor when I schedule my yearly.

BUT I have a great relationship with my kids doc. He always takes time with me when I have questions, and also has taken very good care when we have had concerns with staff members. Once I had one hang up on me when I called because she didn't like my tone. I didn't like her 1000 questions when I explained that we were in just a few hours earlier and that my daughter was very ill and I needed his nurse ASAP.

When I told him about that, he almost pulled me back into the room and asked me for her name, the time I called and what the response was when I called back. Another time, I had a question on medication, and he sat for almost an hour and explained everything to me.

He also helped my son when my ex was giving him a hard time and in not so many words, faxed a letter threatening to sue him if he treated my son with the medication my ex didn't want my son to have. (but yet my son lives with me and my ex didn't offer to take him while off medication)

I could go on and on about that doctor, but he is just that good.



monamie -> RE: Do You Have a Good Relationship With Your Doctor? (7/22/2008 7:57:38 AM)

I haven't seen an MD in years (and probably won't see one unless I'm in an accident or something), but I have had excellent relationships with the chiropractic doctors I see. They do take time for me--even personally answer e-mails when I have questions. And because they're keeping me healthy, I'm never sick so I have no need to seek out an MD.



his_chosen -> RE: Do You Have a Good Relationship With Your Doctor? (7/22/2008 8:57:07 AM)

I love my doctor!!! As a runner, I need a good sports med doctor. The first sports med doctor I saw told me flat out he didn't like dealing with idiot runners. Okay... I met my current doctor through my running group. He's one of the coaches. I liked him right off the bat. Hey--he's a runner! I ended up injured during one group training run. I was able to email him for advice on what to do until I could get in to see him. He also gave me a detailed "return to run" program to follow, much needed for a runner!

My kids are now seeing him, too. I got tired of the pediatrician giving me the third degree about home schooling. I just took ds1 in this morning. The doctor talked to him about his condition, explaining to him the treatment, etc--rather than examining him then talking to me about the condition/treatmetn.

The only problem is my doctor is forever running behind schedule! I don't mind waiting because I know that the reason he's behind is because he's spending time with patients, and will spend all the time he needs with me, too.



agapetos -> RE: Do You Have a Good Relationship With Your Doctor? (7/22/2008 10:12:00 AM)

quote:

The average doctor visit lasts only 10 minutes. And many of us feel we don’t get a chance to discuss all our concerns.
The average doctor visit is, as you say, 10 minutes. It is designed to take ONE issue to the doctor, not half a dozen!

If you have more than one issue to discuss, it's well worth speaking to the receptionists and asking if it's possible to book a longer appointment because you feel that you are going to need the time.

You are doing yourself, your doctor and other patients no favours by 'saving up issues' until you have 2 or 3 things to discuss to save you going so often.

Tips (other than above).

* Keep your appointment ~ or phone and cancel it if you find you don't need it ~ why should a doctor see you when you repeatedly fail to turn up for appointments?
* Think about whether you really need to see the doctor. They're not going to give you anything if you have a cold (or even flu), though it's sometimes adviseable to go to see them at times like this if you have other health problems.
* Think about what you want to speak with the doctor about.
* Write down things if you are likely to forget points (like how long you've had whatever).
* Think about whether you can take anything that will help the doctor assess your needs. If you're having a problem losing/gaining weight, keep a food/exercise diary for at least a week to show your doctor what your attempts are.
* Tell your doctor if you've done anything to try and sort things out (self-treatment, pharmacists advice etc) and what sort of things have and haven't worked in the past.
* If the doctor is going to give you a prescription for something, make sure you remind them of what you're allergic to before they print it out.
* Ask questions of anything you don't understand.
* Have a bath before you go ~ why should the doctor be happy about examining you when you're hot and sweaty?
* If you have medications on repeat, use the forms, instead of wasting your doctor's time during an appointment.

quote:

The only problem is my doctor is forever running behind schedule! I don't mind waiting because I know that the reason he's behind is because he's spending time with patients, and will spend all the time he needs with me, too.
I have the same problem too. Each year, patients (at random) are asked to fill in questionnaires about their recent appointment to the surgery. I was asked one year and made a comment to the effect of 'Having a separate waiting room for patients who complain about doctors running late.' I thought no more about it (I happened to know the lady who would collate the forms and thought she would get a giggle at my comment though) until my doctor said that they had had a meeting recently in respect of the questionnaires... and said that this comment had been the very last one in the report and everyone left a very heavy meeting with a smile on their faces. My doctor had mentioned it to me because she thought it would appeal to my sense of humour! I confessed.

You have to remember that you don't know what the doctor needs to speak with the patient(s) infront of you. They're not going to kick someone out of the office after their allotted time is up right after telling them that they've got cancer are they. Doctors have lives too. I'm pretty sure that none of them really want to be stuck in their office hours after they should have finished.



Covaan_Meshuga -> RE: Do You Have a Good Relationship With Your Doctor? (7/22/2008 10:35:09 AM)

Well, Agapetos, I am lucky we're friends, because I get really disgusted with doctors for many things, thus the reason I don't have one. Sorry. [&o]

It's not that I have not had great doctors in the past, but the great ones around here quit! I once had one I just loved, even though he was a gruff retired Army doctor who was serving in a HMO in which I was once a member. He was Great! But while the patients loved him, he just could not put up with the idiocy of the HMO.

That particular HMO, I noticed, lost their greatest doctors and pummeled the would-be-greats until they lost their doctoring arts to the demons of HMO. Thus, it coddled and encouraged the outrageously unintelligent and lethargic among them.

I learned while there that if I wanted to be doctored, make appointments with either doctors' assistants or nurses. These had the knowledge and humility enough to ask questions and seek for answers.

Regarding the doctors at that HMO, I usually showed up five or more minutes ahead of time for my appointments. I always brought books to study, or school work, because I would usually have to wait quite awhile. One time, it got past the usual 30-minute wait, and since I was just going to study most of the afternoon, I let it go -- until I was still waiting another 30 minutes later! I asked at the desk, and they said they would check into it. Quite some time later, they called me up and said that the doctor would have to reschedule me. Well, thank you very much.

They rescheduled me, and would you believe that he did the same thing again? That time, I told them what I thought of their system, of those who didn't have the simple decency to just tell me (for good night!), and for the common idea among medical personnel that the patient's time is meaningless and of no value whatsoever.



Covaan_Meshuga -> RE: Do You Have a Good Relationship With Your Doctor? (7/22/2008 10:41:42 AM)

Oh. One more thing that HMO did. I had a new doctor. I came in for my second appointment with him. As I waited at the desk, right in plain and very visible sight was a letter they had just received about my new doctor -- that he had been convicted for sexual impropriety in his old practice.

#1 Why did they not tell me instead of expecting me to keep my appt?
#2 While I was glad I saw it before I saw him again, there is something very unethical about leaving such a letter out, in plain view, at a patient-desk.



agapetos -> RE: Do You Have a Good Relationship With Your Doctor? (7/22/2008 10:57:49 AM)

quote:

Well, Agapetos, I am lucky we're friends, because I get really disgusted with doctors for many things, thus the reason I don't have one. Sorry.
I'm going by the majority of doctors I've seen over the past 10 years. If the question had been about doctors I'd seen in the past, it'd be a different story ~ some were appalling (from the doctor who dismissed my mental health problems totally to the doctor who told me that another patient with the same name as me was on the same meds as me!!!)...

quote:

They rescheduled me, and would you believe that he did the same thing again? That time, I told them what I thought of their system, of those who didn't have the simple decency to just tell me
That's bad and I'd be complaining too. Here, we have 'duty doctors' who deal with emergency appointments in the surgery or at patients homes. If there is a 'call out' the receptionist always announces it. We're not able to make non-emergency appointments with that doctor, even if it's our usual doctor.

Recently my nurse failed to show up for 2 appointments and phone me when arranged and no message was left as to why. He's no longer my nurse. I wrote to his supervisor and explained the situation to her, but I opted not to make it a formal complaint.



agapetos -> RE: Do You Have a Good Relationship With Your Doctor? (7/22/2008 11:00:38 AM)

quote:

#1 Why did they not tell me instead of expecting me to keep my appt?
#2 While I was glad I saw it before I saw him again, there is something very unethical about leaving such a letter out, in plain view, at a patient-desk.
I suspect that perhaps one of the receptionists or someone had a problem with the doctor working there and it was their way of letting people know what he'd done... It was totally wrong of them to do it though... Given he was convicted, I'm suprised he was able to keep his licence, but I'm not sure what would happen here.



Covaan_Meshuga -> RE: Do You Have a Good Relationship With Your Doctor? (7/22/2008 11:31:23 AM)

I don't know if he kept his license after they received the letter. Here, I know that under some circumstances, they can keep their licenses, but patients must sign saying that they know about the charges.



MrsTracy72 -> RE: Do You Have a Good Relationship With Your Doctor? (7/22/2008 2:45:11 PM)

Did the letter say he WAS convicted or accused. Those are two different things. I do know that there are many people who when they are unhappy with one thing or another, they go after the license of someone who has one. That happens in daycare all of the time. Someone gets upset, they can't think of any other way to get back at you then to make up something and report it.

That also happened to a doctor that I know. He ended up keeping his license because it was a grudge between another person and him, but since what he said could have been taken as harrassment, he ended up having to plead to a lesser charge, but he did keep his license. He just can't practice in the clinic where that patient is now.



JohnCo -> RE: Do You Have a Good Relationship With Your Doctor? (7/22/2008 3:28:53 PM)

Yearly check up that is basically it.



Covaan_Meshuga -> RE: Do You Have a Good Relationship With Your Doctor? (7/22/2008 6:22:24 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: MrsTracy72
Did the letter say he WAS convicted or accused.

Convicted. It was a class action case. I didn't notice, but it is likely they had just gotten the letter.



Mrs.Wifey -> RE: Do You Have a Good Relationship With Your Doctor? (7/22/2008 6:31:07 PM)

I have a good relationship with my OB/GYN, I see him the most frequently. He saw me through a high risk pregnancy and I trust him and his opinion, I don't plan on switching doctors any time soon. I also have a good relationship with DD's pediatrician. We see a DO for everything else, and she is nice but we are generally healthy and don't go in for much.



saraimay75 -> RE: Do You Have a Good Relationship With Your Doctor? (7/23/2008 2:55:32 AM)

When I make an appointment with my Primary doctor the Nurse asks why I am making the appointment...Probably to make sore here is enough time. I really like my Primary Doctor. She knows all my health problems. And she asks all about them all at every appointment.



Roberta_ -> RE: Do You Have a Good Relationship With Your Doctor? (7/23/2008 4:54:25 PM)

I haven't really been able to find a doctor to form a relationship with.



Covaan_Meshuga -> RE: Do You Have a Good Relationship With Your Doctor? (7/24/2008 12:39:32 AM)

Well, I have been sitting here thinking that I never had a single bad relationship with a doctor, until I had to deal with doctors in HMOs. Hm-m-m. In my opinion, HMOs are the worst thing to ever happen to either doctors or patients.



spitzu -> RE: Do You Have a Good Relationship With Your Doctor? (7/31/2008 12:42:07 AM)

My doctor is very attentive and thorough. She's always made sure she addresses every concern I have at each visit. I don't feel rushed at all when seeing her.

I love her, but I hate visiting her. [;)]



stamper_ben -> RE: Do You Have a Good Relationship With Your Doctor? (8/1/2008 11:02:03 AM)

Years ago when belonging to an HMO I finally found a very good doctor, after years of belonging. He WAS rushed at times due to the way they ran the HMO and he had a quota to meet, but generally he took the time to really listen.

I am currently blessed with another good doc. Just saw him Tuesday and spent 45 minutes with him discussing about 5 different issues, one of which was extremely personal. He had a student intern with him that day and when asked if I minded if he sat in I told him that I hoped he wouldn't be embarrassed.[:)]



buckifn -> RE: Do You Have a Good Relationship With Your Doctor? (8/8/2008 8:40:33 PM)

Yes, we are very satisfied with all of our's. I would say there are a couple of things you can do to help make the visit more beneficial.

1. Educate yourself before you go. Ask questions that are specific to what your visit is about.

2. Respect his/her time and ask that they respect yours. I don't schedule appts at a time I know it will ruin the rest of my day if there is a delay. If there is going to be more than a 15-20 min. delay ask to reschedule asap.

3. Be courteous!! I cannot believe the rude behavior I have witnessed recently from clients in the waiting room where I was waiting for my wife. I was embarrassed for the person...not to mention the receptionist who has little if anything to do with a dr. running late.



Neeva_Candida -> RE: Do You Have a Good Relationship With Your Doctor? (8/8/2008 9:27:09 PM)

Yes.

Ask questions.

~Neeva



lexie -> RE: Do You Have a Good Relationship With Your Doctor? (8/8/2008 9:48:16 PM)

I absolutely love my doctor. I've been seeing him for the past 15 years. Even though I hardly see him, he always remembers things (he would ask pretty detailed questions about school when I was in university and remember what I had told him a year ago.)

Recently, my daughter had a bad rash all over her body. Her pediatrician is out of the country and I had seen a walk in doctor who misdiagnosed her. So not knowing what to do I called my doctor. Even though the receptionist and the nurse gave me an extremely hard time, he saw her that day, was so nice, took great care of her and didn't care that she's not a patient of his.

No matter how far away I move, I'm keeping him as my doctor. He is excellent and he has excellent contacts all over the place. When I hurt my knee while away at university, he said he knew a doctor in my city who would see me. He made an appointment for me and when I showed up I found that I was seeing the team doctor for the local NHL team! Not getting rid of this one.

My only complaint is that he is always at least a half an hour late for appointments, but when you get in for your appointment you can see why - before he examines you, he asks how you are doing, what's new, etc. For some people it can be frustrating, but I like having a doctor who genuinely cares about not just your health.



DreadPirateRandy -> RE: Do You Have a Good Relationship With Your Doctor? (8/9/2008 2:03:41 AM)

I don't have a doctor, but I was on good terms with my prior doctor.

My last appointment involved some random doctor's cold hands in interesting places. The least he could've done was buy me dinner beforehand.



cindybode -> RE: Do You Have a Good Relationship With Your Doctor? (8/9/2008 11:12:45 PM)

I have a great relationship with my own doc and all my kids' docs.

The biggest tip I can offer is not to let them intimidate you. Doctors put their pants on one leg at a time, too. So many people get tongue tied while they're in the office. They don't understand something, and then will leave the office and complain that they didn't get their questions answered. Ummm, in order to have your questions answered, you actually have to ask them. If you smile and nod, how is the doctor supposed to know you don't understand? Communication is a 2 way street.

I'm on a first name basis with all our docs. Of course it helps that I've worked with every one of my kids' docs at one point or another. Remember that that's what you should have with your doc - a good working relationship. Most docs want that with their patients, but you have to hold up your end of the deal.



MrsTracy72 -> RE: Do You Have a Good Relationship With Your Doctor? (8/14/2008 12:22:12 AM)

I have a team of doctors and while I don't see them often. Once a year for my physical, and if I get sick, they are great. They personally call you back when you call in with a problem or to give you test results even if they are normal.

As for my kids, they have the most awesome peditrician. He will answer any question you have even if it sound stupid. Listen to your concerns and check whatever you tell him to. He won't sit there and say, "well, I don't think that is the problem so why bother?"

He also has his office right in the hospital so that is good because if we need to we can just go downstairs. And it is a nice hospital. Small, but new and state of the art.



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