Have You Fired a Doctor?
Oct 18 2012 in Denise's Blog, Hot Topics, Your Caregiving Journey by Denise
Last night, our panel of family caregivers convened for our Hot Topics show on Your Caregiving Journey. The panel (Bette, Jane, ejourneys and Richard) discussed this question: How much do I push my caree’s doctor? You can listen to our show via the player below.
During the show, ejourneys mentioned that she attended a conference for family caregivers in which she heard, You can fire the doctor. I’m curious: Have you fired your caree’s doctor? If you have, I’d love to know more, including if you explained to the doctor why you fired him or her. Please share your experiences in our comments section, below.
(Note: We continue the conversation about working well with doctors on Twitter on Sunday (10/21) at 8 p.m. ET. To join us, go to tweetchat.com, log in to your Twitter account and follow our hashtag: #carechat.)
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Dan Dent said on October 18, 2012
I’ve never fired a doctor but my brother-in-law almost did after he saw his mom’s list of daily medications. It included some 18 meds, some duplicative, and at least one that counteracted another one. What he found was a case where his mom’s three MDs didn’t bother to read her whole medical history. Not good! My advice to caregivers is to be an advocate for your loved one — and don’t worry about asking the dumb question since there are no dumb questions!
Pegi said on October 19, 2012
Firdd Cardiologist!!!! My husband had a Cardiac Cath in June of 2004 after experiencing systems of a blockage; in Oct 2004 the same symptoms occurred and they went back in and stented the stent. By the end of Dec 2004 he once again was symptomatic and we returned to his cardiologist. The cardiologist basically listened to his chest and told him he had the flu. Luckily, a week or so later we went for blood work. He had to take two nitros just to get dressed. At the blood lab he was told his primary doctor had not signed the blood work order. Primary was located right across parking lot. When he didn’t return to lab I went looking. He got to office, needed more nitro. The primary took a simple EKG and immediately sent him be admitted. He had a 99% blockage in the stents. Ended up with coronary bypass and has been great ever since. No doctor, no matter how important and well known he is should ever act in such a cavalier attitude, especially dealing with something as important as this. Did not tell him he was fired; but we did tell primary and anyone else who asked what we thought of this particular “superstar” practice. Needless to say the new cardiologist was referred, checked, and double checked. Lesson: If you think something is wrong that you’ve already experienced, you’re probably right.
Trish said on October 20, 2012
Robert’s care facility has a doctor that sees all the guys in the house and then goes to other board & care homes to “see” them. I fired him after watching him in action. Robert had just been released from the hospital after combating pneumonia and sepsis. This doctor was supposed to do a follow up with him and, during my conversation with him, he asked, “He has seizures?” shortly after asking, “He was in the hospital?” Ugh!
He had been seeing Robert for over a year and Robert has uncontrolled seizures. This guy obviously hadn’t reviewed his chart before seeing Robert which I find inexcusable and lazy.
I immediately found another doctor for Robert and I just take him to the appointments myself. I also had a chat with the director of the facility about the incompetence this doctor showed. They still have this guy seeing the other residents but were sorry about my experience. They then expressed amazement I could find a new doctor so quickly. (I think they must have thought I would threaten to find a new doctor and then not do it. They should know me better than that by now.)
So frustrating!
Meryl said on October 21, 2012
I don’t mince words when it comes to doctors and from my posts not that long ago I was going to fire Drknowitall but we spoke and had a better understanding and so far things are better!
There was a doctor at the hospital many years ago that had a problem speaking with women and I told him in front of everyone with my Brooklyn attitude that if he ever spoke to me like that again that I would have his job! Everyone told me they were glad I did that as they had problems with him as well. You know when a doctor is doing his job or not and you shouldn’t be afraid to speak up!