DOCTORS MAKE ME SO MAD SOMETINES

Spider_Lily · 06-26-2006, 07:02 PM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We have about 10 Doctors in our small town.It's a crying shame you can,t see one when you need to.Well as you know my brother has Melanoma and thats enough to scare you to death.My daughter came home Sunday and told me she has a knot on her neck the thing is about dime size so thats scares me .I called every doctor in town today no one would see her until at least 3-4 weeks and one said it would be late August before he could see her.You could die before you could see a doctor here.So i called out of town to several others and its the same old crap.They always say to shop our home town first we don,t have anything to shop for.I am very upset because no one would take a few mins to check her out.But they will tomorrow because I am taking her to the emergery room then they will have to see her.It just makes me soooooo mad .I hardly ever need a Doctor but when I do you can,t find one and thats soooooooo sad.

aussiesarah · 06-26-2006, 07:10 PM

Wow.

That sounds incredibly stressful and downright unethical. It shouldn't be such a struggle to get medical access. Obviously the town/region needs to attract more doctors to take care of the patients.

I'm sorry and I hope your brother and your daughter are ok and can get the treatment they need.

mrsislandqt · 06-26-2006, 07:46 PM

I'm very sorry that you're going through this. It sounds as if you're very frustrated and angry and a bit scared. Please don't blame the doctors. I've read so many doc flames today and not all of them are warranted. Placement of physicians in rural areas has long been a serious plight and frankly, new docs really can't afford to work in rural/small towns. Although the NIH has implemented some fairly decent incentive programs to lure new docs to these areas, its success has fallen short. I'm sure this isn't much consolation to you but I'd think they're doing the best that they can while safely and effectively treating as many patients as possible.

All the best to you and your family.

aussiesarah · 06-26-2006, 08:08 PM

Then the government needs to care more about its citizens and make rural patients just as important as metro ones.

I'm not blaming the doctors, per se, but I think it's unacceptable to have to wait that long to see a medical physician. I've experienced similiar situations. That's why I'm a huge advocate for improving rural medicine.

flintchick · 06-26-2006, 08:14 PM

I live in a big city with lots of doctors and we still get the same treatment.. it takes several weeks to get in. U sually by the time your appointment comes around, you're better anyway then you end up cancelling. I always ask the office to call me if they get a cancellation.. usualy gets me in within a day or two. I do understand your frustration!

mrsislandqt · 06-26-2006, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aussiesarah

Then the government needs to care more about its citizens and make rural patients just as important as metro ones.

I'm not blaming the doctors, per se, but I think it's unacceptable to have to wait that long to see a medical physician. I've experienced similiar situations. That's why I'm a huge advocate for improving rural medicine.

Many people advocate improved and more accessible healthcare but to call this 'unethical?' It's not at all uncommon to have a lengthy wait for a local physician- even in the big cities!

aussiesarah · 06-26-2006, 08:22 PM

I didn't mean the doctors were unethical. I believe the circumstance is unethical. In this day an age, waiting three weeks for what could be a potentially life threatening condition is unacceptable.

I believe we are saying the same thing. It's not the doctors fault that they don't have room for patients.

mrsislandqt · 06-26-2006, 08:32 PM

It is frustrating for everyone and while the OP's anger is understandable, this isn't considered a medical emergency and I'd think the dr's offices that she's called made that determination and handled it accordingly. Most offices block out a certain amount of time, each day, for patients that need immediate care. I really do understand the frustration- I have to fly off the island for many medical procedures. Until fairly recently, we had to go overseas for an MRI!

Lori D · 06-26-2006, 09:08 PM

Wow, we must be lucky where I live. Usually, if it is something important(sounds like this is), if you call right away in the morning they get you in that day. We live in a rural community and have pretty much always had that luck. What do they do if you are really sick with something that can't wait (i.e. strep throat, infection, etc?)? Maybe you should over exagerate the situation and see if you can get in sooner, probably not real ethical, but it isn't something I would want to have to worry about for a month. I hate the ER. It is absolutely unnecessary for most ER visits, but it is reasons like this that we HAVE to use them, and that is why insurance is so outrageous. Our insurance now won't pay any ER visit unless they deem it a necessity that you were seen in the ER, ridiculous. Good luck and if you can't get seen I would use the ER. Do you have any urgent care clinics in your area? I know that they are starting to pop up in some of the larger towns around us. They are similar to ER, but you don't pay the ER charges, it usually falls under normal insurance or copays. Sometimes also, some clinics will let you walk in, you may sit in a waiting room several hours, but a dr. will see you when they can work you in between regular patients, you might want to check that out. Good luck.

aussiesarah · 06-26-2006, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrsislandqt

It is frustrating for everyone and while the OP's anger is understandable, this isn't considered a medical emergency and I'd think the dr's offices that she's called made that determination and handled it accordingly. Most offices block out a certain amount of time, each day, for patients that need immediate care. I really do understand the frustration- I have to fly off the island for many medical procedures. Until fairly recently, we had to go overseas for an MRI!

I had a dr. office front desk nurse make the call that a burn that I had on my leg wasn't a priority and I could wait 7 days to be seen. I decided that wasn't good enough. My leg looked infected (which I described to the nurse) and 7 days was the best they could do for what I had. I went to urgent care and they said had I waited any longer I would have most likely been septic.

Soo...don't always rely on what the front staff recommend. That is only one of many bad experiences I've had. Front staff don't have an MD after their name. I don't want to be diagnosed by a receptionist. They have no idea what's on her daughters neck. It could be anything, something severe, something minor. I'd rather have a professional make that call.

That being said, if you live in an area where seeing your doctor is that hard to get in, then don't hesitate to go to emergency/urgent care if you need it.

trish6103 · 06-26-2006, 11:00 PM

That's why it is important to have a family doctor and stick with them. Once you are a patient of record, it's a lot easier to get an appointment. My Dr. will see me on the day I call or the next day, same with the girls' pediatrician. Peds office is also open from 7:30 to 9:00 every morning for walk-ins. These are things to think about when choosing a Dr.
It is not uncommon at all to take a month or more for a new patient appointment.

sexyfatchick · 06-27-2006, 12:06 AM

Prior to meeting my husband, I was engaged to a physician.

My advice to you to help you secure an appointment in a reasonable time frame is to BE PUSHY ABOUT IT!

Trust me, it works.

SFC

lmatkins · 06-27-2006, 12:39 AM

One thing you might try is get an appointment with your regular physician (non specialist). Oftentimes if THEY refer you to a particular specialist you want to see, the specialist will "work you in" a lot sooner than if you were just calling on your own.

toomuchtolosetogain · 06-27-2006, 04:42 AM

I'm sorry about your brother with melanoma. My husband has late stage melanoma, and I never knew how scary it is until his diagnosis. He was diagnosed in late stage, so there isn't much we can do except be thankful for every day. His prognosis is grim.

mrsislandqt · 06-27-2006, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toomuchtolosetogain

I'm sorry about your brother with melanoma. My husband has late stage melanoma, and I never knew how scary it is until his diagnosis. He was diagnosed in late stage, so there isn't much we can do except be thankful for every day. His prognosis is grim.

I wish you and your family all the best and it's good to know that you're continuing to take care of yourself- you look wonderful.

c-

mrsislandqt · 06-27-2006, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aussiesarah

That being said, if you live in an area where seeing your doctor is that hard to get in, then don't hesitate to go to emergency/urgent care if you need it.

The problem with this is that more and more insurance companies refuse to pay for non emergency visits to the er. Some will only pay the equivalent of a dr's office fee but they usually supply a list of legit medical emergencies. Some require a predetermination call before going to the er. It's important to know what the policies are because you could end up with some hefty er fees.

pooticus · 06-27-2006, 06:37 AM

not saying it is cancer but if it was...6 weeks would be an inexcusable wait ... some cancers r very agressive and 6 weeks could be the difference between life and death.

when they found my nephews throat cancer (and he's an ent surgeon btw) they had him on the operating table the next day and into radiation therapy very shortly after that.

aussiesarah · 06-27-2006, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrsislandqt

The problem with this is that more and more insurance companies refuse to pay for non emergency visits to the er. Some will only pay the equivalent of a dr's office fee but they usually supply a list of legit medical emergencies. Some require a predetermination call before going to the er. It's important to know what the policies are because you could end up with some hefty er fees.

Yeah, unfortunately that's true.

But when in doubt I try to talk to an advice nurse for my HMO plan and then go to an urgent care center, which is cheaper than an ER and I've never had a problem getting approval from my dr's office to go in to urgent care if I needed it.

Luckily I'm in Australia now, where national health care reigns supreme.

nonstickpam107 · 06-27-2006, 08:27 AM

They usually go by symptoms...like: Has it gotten radically bigger, changed 'shape' or is it discolored? WHERE is it??? Front of neck that is growing about 1/4 of an inch EVERY WEEK would be an emergency. Does she have fever? Is it a lymph node, or just swelling of the muscle? Is the patient of an age group to have lymphomas??

Pam

aussiesarah · 06-27-2006, 08:30 AM

When in doubt, get it checked out! That's my motto, because too many times the receptionist had no idea what she was talking about.

mrsislandqt · 06-27-2006, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nonstickpam107

They usually go by symptoms...like: Has it gotten radically bigger, changed 'shape' or is it discolored? WHERE is it??? Front of neck that is growing about 1/4 of an inch EVERY WEEK would be an emergency. Does she have fever? Is it a lymph node, or just swelling of the muscle? Is the patient of an age group to have lymphomas??

Pam

Exactly. This is where, paradigmatically, doctors are trained differently than other medical/allied health professionals. The patient may have all types of symptoms that they believe are severe or life threatening whereas a doctor has specific criteria to look for.

Spider_Lily · 06-28-2006, 09:03 AM

The ER visit would cost me $500.00 dollars plus whatever they do to her .This is what I was told there.So I kept calling and have found a Doctor he is about 75 miles from here but he will see her in the morning.It may not be a big deal to some but this cancel my brother has .has got me spooked.So in the morning we are to see him the knot is red and hard and looks bigger and its sore she said.Anyway at least I found someone.

06-26-2006, 07:02 PM	#1
Spider_Lily MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 1,188 Gallery: Spider_Lily Stats: 224/198/150 WOE: Atkins Start Date: recommit 5-5-08	DOCTORS MAKE ME SO MAD SOMETINES -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We have about 10 Doctors in our small town.It's a crying shame you can,t see one when you need to.Well as you know my brother has Melanoma and thats enough to scare you to death.My daughter came home Sunday and told me she has a knot on her neck the thing is about dime size so thats scares me .I called every doctor in town today no one would see her until at least 3-4 weeks and one said it would be late August before he could see her.You could die before you could see a doctor here.So i called out of town to several others and its the same old crap.They always say to shop our home town first we don,t have anything to shop for.I am very upset because no one would take a few mins to check her out.But they will tomorrow because I am taking her to the emergery room then they will have to see her.It just makes me soooooo mad .I hardly ever need a Doctor but when I do you can,t find one and thats soooooooo sad.

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06-26-2006, 07:10 PM	#2
aussiesarah MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: May 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 1,624 Gallery: aussiesarah Stats: Back from my pregnancy! 107/101/75kg WOE: Healthy Start Date: May 11, 2006	Wow. That sounds incredibly stressful and downright unethical. It shouldn't be such a struggle to get medical access. Obviously the town/region needs to attract more doctors to take care of the patients. I'm sorry and I hope your brother and your daughter are ok and can get the treatment they need.

06-26-2006, 07:46 PM	#3
mrsislandqt MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Somewhere sunny... Posts: 1,363 Gallery: mrsislandqt Stats: 220/131/carvin' it out... WOE: Atkins/ckd Start Date: March 2003	I'm very sorry that you're going through this. It sounds as if you're very frustrated and angry and a bit scared. Please don't blame the doctors. I've read so many doc flames today and not all of them are warranted. Placement of physicians in rural areas has long been a serious plight and frankly, new docs really can't afford to work in rural/small towns. Although the NIH has implemented some fairly decent incentive programs to lure new docs to these areas, its success has fallen short. I'm sure this isn't much consolation to you but I'd think they're doing the best that they can while safely and effectively treating as many patients as possible. All the best to you and your family.

06-26-2006, 08:08 PM	#4
aussiesarah MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: May 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 1,624 Gallery: aussiesarah Stats: Back from my pregnancy! 107/101/75kg WOE: Healthy Start Date: May 11, 2006	Then the government needs to care more about its citizens and make rural patients just as important as metro ones. I'm not blaming the doctors, per se, but I think it's unacceptable to have to wait that long to see a medical physician. I've experienced similiar situations. That's why I'm a huge advocate for improving rural medicine.

06-26-2006, 08:14 PM	#5
flintchick MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Flint, MI Posts: 1,079 Gallery: flintchick Stats: 142/138.2/128 WOE: Wendy Chant "Crack the Fat Loss Code" Start Date: restart july 21, 08	I live in a big city with lots of doctors and we still get the same treatment.. it takes several weeks to get in. U sually by the time your appointment comes around, you're better anyway then you end up cancelling. I always ask the office to call me if they get a cancellation.. usualy gets me in within a day or two. I do understand your frustration!

06-26-2006, 08:22 PM	#7
aussiesarah MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: May 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 1,624 Gallery: aussiesarah Stats: Back from my pregnancy! 107/101/75kg WOE: Healthy Start Date: May 11, 2006	I didn't mean the doctors were unethical. I believe the circumstance is unethical. In this day an age, waiting three weeks for what could be a potentially life threatening condition is unacceptable. I believe we are saying the same thing. It's not the doctors fault that they don't have room for patients.

06-26-2006, 08:32 PM	#8
mrsislandqt MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Somewhere sunny... Posts: 1,363 Gallery: mrsislandqt Stats: 220/131/carvin' it out... WOE: Atkins/ckd Start Date: March 2003	It is frustrating for everyone and while the OP's anger is understandable, this isn't considered a medical emergency and I'd think the dr's offices that she's called made that determination and handled it accordingly. Most offices block out a certain amount of time, each day, for patients that need immediate care. I really do understand the frustration- I have to fly off the island for many medical procedures. Until fairly recently, we had to go overseas for an MRI!

06-26-2006, 09:08 PM	#9
Lori D Senior LCF Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: IA Posts: 106 Gallery: Lori D Stats: 224/224/onederland WOE: low carb	Wow, we must be lucky where I live. Usually, if it is something important(sounds like this is), if you call right away in the morning they get you in that day. We live in a rural community and have pretty much always had that luck. What do they do if you are really sick with something that can't wait (i.e. strep throat, infection, etc?)? Maybe you should over exagerate the situation and see if you can get in sooner, probably not real ethical, but it isn't something I would want to have to worry about for a month. I hate the ER. It is absolutely unnecessary for most ER visits, but it is reasons like this that we HAVE to use them, and that is why insurance is so outrageous. Our insurance now won't pay any ER visit unless they deem it a necessity that you were seen in the ER, ridiculous. Good luck and if you can't get seen I would use the ER. Do you have any urgent care clinics in your area? I know that they are starting to pop up in some of the larger towns around us. They are similar to ER, but you don't pay the ER charges, it usually falls under normal insurance or copays. Sometimes also, some clinics will let you walk in, you may sit in a waiting room several hours, but a dr. will see you when they can work you in between regular patients, you might want to check that out. Good luck.

06-26-2006, 11:00 PM	#11
trish6103 Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Hurricane Alley Posts: 10,144 Gallery: trish6103 Stats: Yeah, right. WOE: Popsicles, lots of Popsicles	That's why it is important to have a family doctor and stick with them. Once you are a patient of record, it's a lot easier to get an appointment. My Dr. will see me on the day I call or the next day, same with the girls' pediatrician. Peds office is also open from 7:30 to 9:00 every morning for walk-ins. These are things to think about when choosing a Dr. It is not uncommon at all to take a month or more for a new patient appointment.

06-27-2006, 12:06 AM	#12
sexyfatchick Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: On the coast in California Posts: 262 Gallery: sexyfatchick Stats: 235/163.5/130; 5'8"; WOE: Lean for Life Start Date: January 16, 2006	Prior to meeting my husband, I was engaged to a physician. My advice to you to help you secure an appointment in a reasonable time frame is to BE PUSHY ABOUT IT! Trust me, it works. SFC

06-27-2006, 12:39 AM	#13
lmatkins Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 521 Gallery: lmatkins	One thing you might try is get an appointment with your regular physician (non specialist). Oftentimes if THEY refer you to a particular specialist you want to see, the specialist will "work you in" a lot sooner than if you were just calling on your own.

06-27-2006, 04:42 AM	#14
toomuchtolosetogain MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Mid Missouri Posts: 1,839 Gallery: toomuchtolosetogain Stats: 229/161/129 18-20/6 & 8/6?4? 52 years old WOE: Low Carb/Atkins Start Date: Oct. 2003 (serious this time)	I'm sorry about your brother with melanoma. My husband has late stage melanoma, and I never knew how scary it is until his diagnosis. He was diagnosed in late stage, so there isn't much we can do except be thankful for every day. His prognosis is grim.

06-27-2006, 06:37 AM	#17
pooticus Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: May 2004 Location: somewhere over the rainbow Posts: 15,930 Gallery: pooticus Stats: 314/284.2/150 WOE: PersonalPlan Start Date: Nov.20, 2007	not saying it is cancer but if it was...6 weeks would be an inexcusable wait ... some cancers r very agressive and 6 weeks could be the difference between life and death. when they found my nephews throat cancer (and he's an ent surgeon btw) they had him on the operating table the next day and into radiation therapy very shortly after that.

06-27-2006, 08:27 AM	#19
nonstickpam107 Thyroid Patient Advocate Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: NE Indiana Posts: 12,306 Gallery: nonstickpam107 Stats: 230/116/120 (BF<26%) WOE: Started w/Atkins/Now BFFM Start Date: Nov. 23 2000	They usually go by symptoms...like: Has it gotten radically bigger, changed 'shape' or is it discolored? WHERE is it??? Front of neck that is growing about 1/4 of an inch EVERY WEEK would be an emergency. Does she have fever? Is it a lymph node, or just swelling of the muscle? Is the patient of an age group to have lymphomas?? Pam

06-27-2006, 08:30 AM	#20
aussiesarah MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: May 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 1,624 Gallery: aussiesarah Stats: Back from my pregnancy! 107/101/75kg WOE: Healthy Start Date: May 11, 2006	When in doubt, get it checked out! That's my motto, because too many times the receptionist had no idea what she was talking about.

06-28-2006, 09:03 AM	#22
Spider_Lily MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 1,188 Gallery: Spider_Lily Stats: 224/198/150 WOE: Atkins Start Date: recommit 5-5-08	The ER visit would cost me $500.00 dollars plus whatever they do to her .This is what I was told there.So I kept calling and have found a Doctor he is about 75 miles from here but he will see her in the morning.It may not be a big deal to some but this cancel my brother has .has got me spooked.So in the morning we are to see him the knot is red and hard and looks bigger and its sore she said.Anyway at least I found someone.