I'm at a loss

[Omaschwannoma]

Thanks Jim and goinbatty for "touching" quickly, but thoroughly on the subject of our healthcare as I agree with what has been said.  I even met at the recent symposium a man who came over from another country just to get the care he wasn't getting to treat his AN.  We aren't perfect but neither are they and our healthcare system is doing just fine thank you very much and I for one hope this continues as I do not like having too much of the government telling me how my hardearned dollars will be spent--I like choices and shopping around. 

[Kaybo]

OK, this isn't on the healthcare issue, but the original topic of the doctor not wanting to treat them.  I know I am jumping in late, but am STILL trying to catch up!  I just have to throw in how my views on Dr's changed DRASTICALLY after my recent trouble after my T3 surgery.  As you know, I went from Texas to Baltimore to the Dr. who "pioneered" the T3 and to my knowledge one of the only physicians in North America performing it.  After I came back to Texas, I started having all of the trouble (still debatable if it was a fluid build-up or an infection, but treated for infection and really doesn't matter b/c it is behind me now!).  NOT ONE specialists would see me here!!  My PCP finally saw me and then he got an Infectious Disease doc involved, but no ENT or Plastic Surgeon would touch me - they all wanted me to go back to Baltimore.  Hindsight, I wish that I would have, but I was trying so hard to stay with my girlies!  My doctor in Baltimore (who I LOVE) couldn't even believe it!  He said, "WHERE do you live??"  It is really not the total hicks here - we even have a medical school (a branch of Texas Tech).  I KNOW it is b/c they were afraid of lawsuits - it makes me sad, not because no one would treat me, but that we are living in a society that has come to that -- I am raising my girlies in a world that only cares about themselves and not helping others  -- the total opposite of what I am trying to teach them!! Ok, just had to throw that in!!

K

[leapyrtwins]

K -

I've never run into this problem, since all my "work" has been done right here where I live, but it sounds like a real pain in the a** for patients.

It seems like one of the sad realities of medicine that patients who travel to another state for treatment subsequently can't get help from their own doctor when they return home and something comes up.  At least that's what I'm getting out of yours and mudpuppy's posts.   I'm sure that not every doctor is like this, but it's unfortunate that some are.

I think, despite lawsuits, that some doctors are willing to help patients who technically "belong" to other doctors - which IMO is commendable.  I know that my neurotologist told me that he often sees patients who have had surgery elsewhere and then they come to him because they are having issues with side-effects.  He didn't tell me that he won't treat them, but he did say that lots of these patients weren't told by their attending surgeon about some of the risks and/or side-effects of their surgery. 

Jan

 

[Jim Scott]

Happily leaving the always-contentious health care issue behind, I concur that having out-of-state treatment (doctors, facility) seems to turn off local doctors when it comes to local follow-up.  Some of this is not unreasonable, especially given the risk of legal liability as well as the likely attitude of the doctor in question not having 'ownership' of the AN patient.  However, I think some of it is arrogance and ego.  It depends.  Doctors are human with the same flaws and weaknesses we all have.  They can be saviors and saints (like mine) or a source of frustration.  Upon my AN diagnosis, I seriously considered using the House Clinic (3,000 miles away) but found a local neurosurgeon who was at least as good as those elsewhere and so I avoided the problem of local doctors not wanting to follow up with a patient who had surgery out-of-town.  I now consider that a fortuitous decision but I still think a doctor can reject a would-be patient with some element of grace and not act like a junkyard dog who hasn't been fed. 

Jim  

[Kaybo]

I got the impression that the Dr's here felt "snubbed" that I didn't use them but HELLO, no one here (or anywhere else in the country) was doing what Dr. Byrne does in Baltimore!!

K

[leapyrtwins]

Doctors are human with the same flaws and weaknesses we all have. 

Absolutely!

Jan

[robynabc]

I have to admit this weighed into our decision as far as House vs. Local.   But,  something seems amis with this scenario.  Why a doctor would be brought to shaking and be that  upset seems odd.  Have you thought that maybe it was a personal problem and had nothing to do with you.  It is possible. 

I remember seeing my son's surgeon who we were told was one of the best,  and he is,  he terrified us with his bedside manner.  He is a no nonsense, I am going to give it to you straight kind of guy.  He told Eric on the day of surgery some stuff about how this "could" turn out.  ( I am not going to get specific as to not scare anyone)  It was terrifying.  But he was a fantastic doctor.  I guess my point is that we thought that bedside manner made him a bad doctor but as my ex put it.  Surgeons can be a little nuts.  That is why they can do 16-20 hour surgeries.  So,  might be better to think that maybe it was a personal issue and if not that it still is his problem not yours.  I wouldn't worry too much.   Even though that had to be hard for you.

Robyn

[leapyrtwins]

Robyn -

very good point, and something I never thought of.

It is very possible that this doctor had a personal matter that was weighing on his mind.  Although that doesn't excuse his bad behavior, it might be a factor that caused it.

Jan

[Kaybo]

Robyn~
Was this Dr. J that you were referring to? 

We just dealt with that with the Infectious Disease doc - he was a jerk w/ NO personality and I told Dave the same thing - if you dedicated your life to studying all kinds of INFECTIOUS DISEASES do you think I would want to hang out with you??   

K

[lori67]

In my experience, some of the most talented doctors have the worst bedside manner.  And it's true, if you spend all your time studying, you probably don't get out much so your social skills are probably a little rusty.  It's nice when you can find a good doctor that's actually sociable and likeable, but when it comes down to it, I think I'd opt for the talent and skill part over the rest.

Lori

[leapyrtwins]

Lori -

I agree.  Talent and skill should be the top priorities - personality, while nice, should be secondary.

Jan

[Jim Scott]

I doubt anyone will dispute the premise that, when selecting a physician, talent and skill are primary attributes and 'personality' is secondary.  I'm always willing to give a doctor some slack on his 'bedside manner' if he's very competent.  I've often said that when seeking a doctor, I'm looking for expertise, not a friend.  I have plenty of friends.  My wife refuses to use the same dentist I do because she considers him 'too aloof'.  I think he's a great dentist and extremely thorough and always professional.  He can be a bit detached at times but always concentrates on the job at hand and doesn't make a lot of pointless chatter.  That works for me.

Like everyone, I want the best doctor available and I'm willing to cut a doctor some slack for not being 'Mr. Personality'.  As I've previously noted on this thread, they're just (skilled, educated) human beings, not gods and they can't be all things to all of their patients all of the time.  The late president Harry S Truman once said that when you come to Washington (as a politician),"if you want a friend, get a dog".  I think this can apply to doctors.  Personality is nice but making it a criteria for selecting a doctor seems a bit shallow.

All that having been stated, I think there is a fairly bright line between a doctor being aloof or less-than-charming and purposely obnoxious and rude.  In Mudpuppy's case, that doctor crossed that line.  In my opinion, they are well rid of him.

Jim