Does Your Doctor Give You The Attention You Need?
By villageanne
@villageanne (8553)
United States
February 25, 2008 8:00pm CST
I hate going to the doctor and come back out with no more facts than when I went in. I feel like I wasted my money and my time. I used to just go to the doctor and never ask questions. So I never got answers. One day, it hit me "I am paying for this Doctor to listen to and give me the time and information that I deserve". It was at this point that I began to get more out of my Doctors visit.
Here is some of the things that I do:
1. Make a list of all my problems, how and when they occur.
2. Make a list of all questions and concerns.
3. Make a list of any medications that are giving side affects
4. Any new symptoms such as problems sleeping or change of appetite, loss of energy.
5. Be honest and answer their questions honestly. They cannot help you if you are keeping soemthing from them.
I do not leave his office until I have answers to all my questions and concerns.
Do you sometimes feel that the Doctor is not giving you the time you deserve?
Do you feel that you get the information that you need on your medical problems from your doctor?
6 people like this
14 responses
@peavey (16936)
• United States
26 Feb 08
I hate not learning anything when I go to the doctor, too. I'm going to copy off your list and go through it the next time I go.
The problem with my doctor is that when I ask a question about a symptom that could possibly be taken as a different condition than the one I see her for, she charges me about $5 per question! I'm thinking of having a talk with her and maybe finding someone else.
1 person likes this
@peavey (16936)
• United States
26 Feb 08
I've tried so many doctors that I'm tired of it all. I, too, have to have one for many things - some of which I am sure is related, but they all want to treat each symptom as a separate problem. If there was a good alternative medicine choice locally, I'd try that.
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
26 Feb 08
I actively look for a Doctor that I connect with. I did not used to do this but I have just had too many problems to not do it. If I do not connect with them on a level of trust and honesty, I get another one. I have to have a doctor for so many different things that I just cant afford to give my money to a doctor that does not care. I refuse to be a number - no I was not always like this. I learned the hard way.
@GardenGerty (160626)
• United States
26 Feb 08
I am fortunate that I do not need to see a doctor more than about once a year. I do approach visits in this manner, though. I prepare for the visit by jotting down all of the things in a little notebook. I like my doctor, he is well trained and he listens to me. Same for my dentist. I think these are valuable pointers.
1 person likes this
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
26 Feb 08
Oh Dear Friend Gerty, You are so very lucky. I wish I only had to go once a year. Glad you go prepared though. Stay healthy.
I hate to go to the dentist. I get anxiety attacks as soon as he starts to work on me. LOL Not fun at all
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
26 Feb 08
My daughter is having problems with her family physician. I have gone with her a couple of times and it seems that they try to belittle her and blame much of her problems on her weight rather than taking a closer look at her medical problems. It really ticks me off. When I try to interject with a comment the doctor or practitioner will cut me off. She had asked me to go with her to ask the questions or voice my concern. When I advised the attending medical professional of this, they took notice, but didn't give me 100% of their attention. This agitated my daughter too. She has changed physicians as a result.
1 person likes this
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
26 Feb 08
That is just not right. You should get a copy of the Patients Bill of Rights. It is nation wide and they have to abide by it. Every Doctor and hospital has too or you can file a claim against them.
I had trouble with a doctor once. LOL I wish I had known about the Patients Bill of Rights then. I would not have taken so much crap from him..... OH my did I just say "crap"??
@subha12 (18441)
• India
26 Feb 08
I must say, all the times no.
Now its is very irritated. when i visit a doctor for me or any of my family members, it seems they are only interested in number of patients they can attend to so that they earn much more money. Just jot down a list of medicine and thats all.
@rarrimalion (674)
• United States
26 Feb 08
well i rarely see the actual doctor, i see the physcian assistant or nurse practioner. And yes, I often feel like i don't get anything out of it. basically, if I go in with a problem, I'm told to wait a week. So i pay $25 (copay) to have them tell me to wait. Such a waste of hard earned money. That's why i rarely go. I have some major sinus problems and i really should get it checked out but i put it off. I have gone a couple times in the past and theyve done nothing but hand me an allergy nasal spray which does nothing for me. I just feel like you don't really get the help you need.
1 person likes this
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
26 Feb 08
Have you made an appointment with a specialist Ear, Nose & throat (ENT). They are so much better than regular doctors when it comes to sinuses. Good luck to you. It just is not right how we are treated when we seek help.
@moneyandgc (3428)
• United States
26 Feb 08
I am lucky in the way that my husband is a medical provider and that he is miitary. If I don't like my doctor I can just see someone else. My last visit was with a PA. I REALLY liked her. She was compassionate and really listened to me. Unfortunately, a drawback of the military is that we all move and that includes health care providers. She is PCSing to the Pentagon soon, so I will have to find someone else I like.
There is another PA that was also at the last base we lived at that I am going to try after she leaves.
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
26 Feb 08
yes I make a list of everything that I need to know and I do not leave until I get some kind of answer. If we don't take our own health seriously who else will?
@Bev1986 (1425)
• United States
26 Feb 08
That is a great list! I personally don't have that problem with my doctor, he tends to be very good at making sure he's answered all my questions.
My kid's pediatrician is fantastic with us! He spends a lot of time with us and always makes sure we understand everything he is telling us. My oldest has been through some very serious health problems, and even though we've been referred by him to a lot of specialists, he always keeps right on top of our case and makes sure things are done.
@awonderfullife (2893)
• United States
26 Feb 08
My last doctor was good, but I could never get an appointment with her-- she was always booked. So now I switched and my new doc is great, very thorough. He even called me at home last time I went to him to see how I was doing.
@nascar_girl_4jr (315)
• United States
26 Feb 08
I absolutely understand what you are saying. The Doctors do assembly line medical treatment. The insurance companies pay the Doctors like they are in some kind of auction or pawn shop....they bid on what they will pay for our care. Therefore the Doctors have to cram so many patients in in a day to make up for the difference of what they billed and what they actually recieved. If you get to your appointment 5 minutes late then they want to reschedule your appointment, but if your there on time.....You sit in the lobby for an hour and wait to see the Doctor...go figure.
What ever happened to the good ole days when the Doctor actually cared about YOU and came to YOUR house and if you didnt show up for an appointment they would send the sheriff to check on you....lol. Welcome to the United States Health Plan. MONEY MONEY MONEY
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
26 Feb 08
My son's doctor is always rushing us when we visit her. I always have to stop her in her tracks to ask her questions about my sons illnesses. My husband even noticed it too.
His diagnosis for coughs and flu always changes. First its allergies, then its a secondary infection, then its asthma, all the while he still has a slight cough!!! I don't know and have been seriously thinking of changing doctors.
@anetteh (3590)
• Sweden
26 Feb 08
Hello villageanne,
I do not go to the docotor to often. But when ever I have to and I have to say it is not very often, I go. It has been more than a couple of years since I went to see a doctor. But the two last times my doctor I get to see did not spend more than 10 minutes to hear my problem and then just sent mo of to another specialist. I paid directly for those appointments and I felt i did not really got the help I needed.
To get an appointment it is hard, so when you do call for one it is urgent. And you hope to get the help you need. I was not very pleased with those appointments. In fact I Felt a bit neglected.
@lavenderbloom (1057)
• United Arab Emirates
26 Feb 08
Hi,
You are absolutely right in this matter. I too would never go to the same doctor again if I feel that the doctor has not asked me my real problem or did not try to know my problem. I would prefer a doctor, who has patience and listen to other's problem seriously and takes it seriously. I respect such doctor's who tries to know and understand their patient. Such doctors are a rare gem. It is really difficult to find such doctors but once you find then you won't change your doctor again. Take care ...
