I fired my doctor today

[TN_Mike]

I had thyroid cancer in 2004 and had to have my thyroid removed. As a result I take a thyroid replacement pill every day and I have to be checked regularly by an Endocrinologist. This doctor specializes in thyroid and metabolism issues and some diabetic issues as well.

I have had this particular doctor since we moved to Indiana about 18 months ago. She was a very stand offish type, very regimented and I often got the feeling that she didn't really care about my opinions on my treatment and I was just about to the point of making the decision to find a different doc anyway when this happened this morning at my appointment.

She seemed to be in a bad mood. I suspected it was because I was about 5 minutes late for my appointment because the hospital is on the grounds of the IU Med college in Indianapolis. Today was the day that apparently every student was arriving on campus and there was a HUGE traffic nightmare going on. I got off the interstate with 45 minutes to cover the 4 miles to the hospital and I got there 5 minutes late. I was not the first appointment for her for the day and I suspect everyone was late because of what was going on.

She didn't really want to listen to my concerns about my treatment and then when I was checking out, she berated the office staff for not lining the patient sheets up on the counter to her exacting specifications. She really went over the top on the girls in the office. That was all I could take. After she walked away, or so I thought, I asked one of the girls in the office if there were any other doctors I could see form this point on. Unbeknownst to me, she was just around the corner and heard me. She asked me why I would want to change doctors and if I was unhappy with the care she provided.

Now, I didn't want to do this in front of the office staff because unlike her, I cared about making a scene but she just was so offended and had an attitude about it that I just let her know very clearly why I wanted to change docs. I explained that I didn't feel she wanted my input on my care and that she had a terrible bedside manner. I then told her that after the display and scene she made a few minutes ago that I made up my mind to change doctors because I didn't want to have a doctor that would treat her staff in such a rude and overbearing manner.

She was very put out by the whole thing. One of the staff gave me a list of the docs and privately told me that she has lost several patients recently for the same reasons. And the doc I am going to be seeing is her boss, the head of the department. Should be interesting.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[mlr1m]

I then told her that after the display and scene she made a few minutes ago that I made up my mind to change doctors because I didn't want to have a doctor that would treat her staff in such a rude and overbearing manner.

Good for you. I have spoke up in the past when something like this has occurred in my presence. No one should be berated by an employer in public.

Michael

[WHEC724]

Bravo. The principles of capitalism at work. Try that under a more regimented health care plan.

[Hiram25]

You're five minutes late and she gets upset. How many times have you been 30 minutes late getting in for an appointment you were early for?

[varob]

Good for you Mike. Some Dr. are just not cut out for patent care, maybe research or something, but not the public.

[CaptSmith]

Very good TN-Mike...your forthright manner will foster change...

[Stubborn]

Good for you Mike, most people don't realize that a Doctor is your employee when you go to them. If they don't treat you respectfully, or want to ignore what you say, or discount what you tell them, then they should be fired. No different than the folks I hire to do my lawn work, or to fix my truck. They're people mechanics, do a good job or be fired.

[Brady]

Good for you. Wanted to do that at the VA before, you have to put in a request form and wait for approval. But now the doc is gone.

[Rock and Glock]

Bravo! You voted with your feet! The most effective way to vote!

[RoadRunner71]

The down side to many in the medical profession is the so-called "god-complex". I prefer to call it overbearing and rude, egotism.

I wouldn't have waited for the incident at the front desk, though. The minute I got the impression she wasn't interested in me as more than just a chart, I would have walked. But, that is me and I can be a jerk sometimes.

[atctimmy]

I had just the opposite a few years ago. I had a great doctor with a terrible staff. I talked to him about it and it turned out that he an his staff were employed by a larger hospital group and he has no say in the matter. They sent him the staff and he had to live with them. I moved away not too long after that but before I left I was looking for a new doctor.

[Brass63]

Maybe your candor was just what that doc needed to help her see what she really needs to work on.
The most valuable lessons in life are often the most painful too.

[zeppelin03]

Sounds like you handled it well.

Reminds me I need to find a new doctor. I mentioned I was having chest pains. He said," hmm we will have to keep an eye on it and see what happens next trip." I was not to excited about it. I figured at 21 chest pains are not common and worth looking into. Besides that every problem I have only results in pills.

Quitting smoking stopped the chest pains, but still wanting someone who has a little more to offer.

[Hopyard]

A doc provides a service in exchange for a fee. Your doc (unless s/he actually is your friend) is not your friend. S/he is a business person, same as your plumber, electrician, mechanic, AC guy. If you are not happy with your doc, and the reasons aren't really important, it could be anything from quality of care to being late too often, find another one.

And use your intuition. If you think they are telling you something that isn't right, challenge it and ask them if they are certain. If you are still concerned, get a second or third opinion.

I have been really really lucky. I kept one primary care doc for 13 years and another for maybe 16 now. I've used the same dentist for 20 years. But, I have certainly seen a specialist here or there that I would not go back to. I've twice had unneeded surgery recommended, and I've been told I had a genetic disease I don't have.

Never feel guilty for firing your doc. Its business. It isn't friendship and it isn't a marriage or a partnership.

[high pockets]

Sounds like you handled it well.

Reminds me I need to find a new doctor. I mentioned I was having chest pains. He said," hmm we will have to keep an eye on it and see what happens next trip." I was not to excited about it. I figured at 21 chest pains are not common and worth looking into. Besides that every problem I have only results in pills.

Quitting smoking stopped the chest pains, but still wanting someone who has a little more to offer.

Had a doctor many years ago who told me that if I quit smoking, my chest pains would go away. Since I pushed the issue, he agreed to have chest rays taken. Yep, you guessed it, three cracked ribs from a motorcycle accident. Dr. still insisted chest pains would go away if I quit smoking. That was when I walked out and quit the doctor.