What's Wrong with the Medical Profession Today
However, while we were there, a new clerical person pulled us back into the back office and began to ask questions-- sort of a medical history kind of thing. The conversation went like this:
CP: (clerical person-- to Matthew) So why do you use a cane?
Matthew: I just had surgery. I need it to walk and be safe.
CP: You need a different cane, that one is too short. You will have back problems if you don't get a taller cane. When you use a cane for a few years, it will cause a lot of back problems.
Me: This cane is a temporary measure, and we're hoping he will no longer need it, once he has physical therapy.
CP: So, how long have you had the cane?
Matthew: Since about April, when my knee messed up.
CP: Well it is too short for you-- you're going to have serious back problems.
Me: Again, I am hoping he won't need it after a couple of weeks. The doctor told him to use it to get around, after his surgery.
CP: OH! You mean that you haven't used it for a long time!
Matthew and I exchanged a glance. What is so hard to understand that after knee surgery, he needed a cane? THEN, she hands him a laminated sheet of paper. First, she asked him to look at the red writing and tell her what he's had and what medications he takes.
Again, we told her what medications he has had, and it took 3 tries to get her to understand that he takes no medication permanently, just pain meds after the surgery, two weeks ago. NOT TO BE DETERRED, we moved on to his parent's ailments. WHAT a nightmare!
CP: Look at the green items. Have either one of your parents ever had these illnesses?
Matthew looked at me and said: Mom?
Me: (Looking at the paper.) I have hypertension and heart disease. I have gastro-intestinal problems and insomnia.
CP: I'm not asking what his grandparent's illnesses are, but his parents.
Me: I am his parent. I'm telling you the illnesses that I have.
CP: You can't be his mother.
Me: I got a late start-- I had him when I was 43.
CP: But, you're his grandmother. I understand that you adopted him, and that he is your son.
Me: NO, I am his mother. Not his grandmother. His grandmother passed away 2 years ago, of a metastasized brain tumor from kidney cancer. She was 82 years old. His other grandmother died 12 years ago of kidney disease. She was 68 years old.
CP: I am asking you about his parents.
Me: I AM HIS PARENT.
CP: But you didn't give birth to him.
At this point, I am suddenly, hotly, livid.
Me: (loudly) I DID GIVE BIRTH TO HIM! I WAS 43 YEARS OLD AND NEARLY DIED. MY DOCTOR WAS DR. BUNCH, WHOSE OFFICE IS ON THE FLOOR ABOVE US. LET'S TAKE A TRIP UPSTAIRS AND ASK HER! What is so difficult to understand about this?
CP: (blank stare) I'm not trying to upset you!
Me: Then LISTEN to my answers . IF you have any further questions, I suggest you refer to his chart!!!
He and I stood, and walked into the hall, where I leaned against the wall, shaking my head. Finally, the nurse came and got us and took us to the room... I spoke politely to the nurse, and to the doctor. I said, She wouldn't listen to the answers. That is my complaint. Was she being deliberately obtuse, or is she that stupid? Ask the questions, listen to the answers, and put them in the computer. If she is unable to do that, she needs another job .
I think that I'm going to write to the whole group. I really like this doctor, and I told him I did, and told him I plan to come to him about my hip problem-- but this woman wouldn't LISTEN... I know this sounds stupid, but I am still mad about it.
SIGH!
This is what is wrong with the medical system. No one listens...
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I know, in the grand scheme of things, this is unimportant. But, we have dealt with too many doctors and nurses this year to just pass this off as a normal thing. LISTEN to the answers, you dolts!
They had also better get used to the fact that older women are having babies. More and more women over the age of 40 are having babies every year. GET WITH IT.
Marsha,
I know that this little discussion was infuriating and upsetting, but she is nothing more than a pencil pusher. Had she been anything other, I would report to the AMA.
That aside, from my dealings with the medical community, here is what everyone should always remember:
Bottom line, walk in and tell this crazy woman that she needs a brain transplant and a facelift. It won't help, but you'll feel better, LOL!
Oh my gosh. She did need a brain transplant!
It infuriates me that the medical profession can't seem to understand that there are many exceptions to the "rules"! In this case, 3% of all babies born in 1998 were born to 43 year old mothers, so there are a few of us out there. 17 years later, I'm 60 years old, and guess what! He's still my kid. I can only imagine what Adrian Barbeau has to go through-- she had her children at 50!
ARGHHH!
I have been lucky and generally have had very good doctors and staff. The staff at my Psychiatrist office is a nightmare! The staff here are completely different staff every time I show up every three months!! I mean the most anyone has still been there is two times in the 2+ years I've been going there. Then my Psychiatrist left, but when I called to confirm my appointment I was told that I definitely had an appointment with my regular doctor the following Monday. I showed up the following Monday only to be told that my doctor didn't work there any longer and hadn't for nearly a month. When I asked why they had lied to me, they said they were telling all of his patients the same thing so as not to upset them! This is a Psychiatrist's office! And they LIE so they DON'T upset the patients?!? How stupid is that! I mean it's not like a dental check up!
The Nurse Practitioner they replaced him with had no Psychiatric experience at all! NONE! I and a bunch of patients who had to deal with this moron bitched enough that they had to hire my old Psychiatrist back. I also filed for an investigation with the State Nursing Board and threatened to sue the provider if they ever did anything that stupid again! I mean if my shrink quits, that's his choice, but to replace him with a completely inexperienced Nurse Practitioner who didn't believe in using most Psychiatric medications because she wanted a holistic approach! I hope she loses her RN license as a result of the investigation! And my regular Psychiatrist had better be there when I go back next month! Or at least a real Psychiatrist!
Oh my gosh, Randy! I would be fighting mad!!!
I would certainly write to someone... Or try to do something! That is ridiculous!
Marsha ,
Do you think this problem is worse than it used to be ?
Petey, I clicked the reply button, and it doesn't seem to work.
I think they have become so overwhelmed by paperwork that they can't take the time to be a person. And my patience level is getting lower...