Am I the only one who thinks this is out of line? **UPDATE PAGE 2**

[Jeafl]

About 6 weeks ago, my 9-yr. old son broke his collarbone at school during recess. Unfortunately, this coincided with the beginning of hockey season (he plays on a league team).

Anyway, he has been seeing an Orthopaedic surgeon on a regular basis, and he said all along he wouldn't be able to go back to hockey for 6-8 weeks, maybe longer. Well, the Orthopaedic Surgeon and the head hockey coach are next door neighbors and friends. The coach has been discussing my son with the doctor, and trying to convince him to let my son get back to hockey right now. I received a call from the doctor's office saying that the COACH wanted my son brought in for another evaluation right away, even though I had already made a follow-up appointment for the following week. The receptionist at the doctor's office did not sound happy that she had to fit him in today.

Here's my problem...I feel the coach should BUTT OUT and stop putting pressure on the doctor to release him. I understand that the coach needs him back on the team, but one good check into the boards could re-break his collarbone very easily. Not only that, but if the doctor says that he IS ready to go back, can I trust him that he isn't just saying that to appease his friend the coach? I would like to think that the doctor would not compromise his patient for anyone, but I don't know if I can be sure. The best possible scenario would be for the doctor to say that he ISN'T ready so that the decision is taken away from us as to whether or not he should go back.

I guess what I am saying is that I resent the coach and the doctor discussing my son when my DH and I aren't there. Up until this incident I have had complete confidence in this doctor, but now I'm not so sure.

 

[Pam]

I so agree with you that this is way out of line! Not to mention, very unprofessional of the doctor! I would mention it to the doctor today.

Also, do you have to pay extra for the visit?

I'd be tempted to bop that coach on the nose - he needs to butt out and let your son heal - completely!
Pam

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

I'd be ticked off too. It's understandable that the coach wants your son back, but the doctor shouldn't discuss your son with anyone except you.

That said, though, the doctor will do what is best for the patient. He has his reputation to protect.

 

[Rajah]

Waaay out of line.

IMHO, if the doctor says he's ready to go in less than the originally mentioned 6-8 weeks, I'd get a second opinion.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Originally posted by Jeafl
......can I trust him that he isn't just saying that to appease his friend the coach? I would like to think that the doctor would not compromise his patient for anyone, but I don't know if I can be sure..........I guess what I am saying is that I resent the coach and the doctor discussing my son when my DH and I aren't there. Up until this incident I have had complete confidence in this doctor, but now I'm not so sure.

Jill, doctors are human (some inhuman I think) and from what you relate here, I would say his personal friendship may be influencing his professional opinions. I do not think all doctors always do what is in the best interest for the patient. As always, JMO.

Hope your son does well in his recovery and you all have a happy and blessed Thanksgiving.




PS: January DIS meet......

 

[jan/cape]

I would mention your uneasiness to the dr. I agree that you can always get a second opinion.

 

[RitaZ.]

I received a call from the doctor's office saying that the COACH wanted my son brought in for another evaluation right away, even though I had already made a follow-up appointment for the following week. The receptionist at the doctor's office did not sound happy that she had to fit him in today.

I really have a problem with this. Your son's medical problems and records are supposed to be CONFIDENTIAL. Under no circumstances should his doctor be discussing any of it with his friend. This would be enough for me to drop this doctor and find another one asap. This is completely unprofessional behavior and I would tell the doctor so. The coach has no say whatsoever in how your son's medical care should be handled.

 

[Serena]

It's out of line. You aren't wrong at all.

 

[amid chaos]

Whatever happened to confidentiality?

 

[minnieandmickey]

First of all I believe it is illegal for the Doctor to talk about your son to anyone about your son's care unless you have given him permission to, it's called breach of confidentiality.

Second I would call the coach and tell him that the last time you looked at your son's birth certificate he was not on there as a parent, and that he needs to stay out of your son's treatment plan because it is none of his business. Winning a few games over the process of your son healing is rediculous. Even if the Doctor says it is ok for him to play and you don't feel good about it then keep him out, remember winning isn't everything.

Hope he has a speedy recovery either way. My son broke his collar bone last year, and I remeber what a "pain" it was for him.

 

[jx3smom]

That is so out of line. The doctor has no business discussing your son with his neighbor. I would speak to the doctor about this and let him know that you are very uncomfortable with the situation.

 

[Saffron]

Wow! That is way out of line. I would just keep the original appointment.

 

[Blondie]

Discussing your son's medical condition with the coach is a breach of patient confidentiality. It may be time to find another doctor in another practice that won't be influenced by the coach.

 

[piratesmate]

This is definitely out of line! League play or not - this is NOT professional play & only the patient/parent should be able to decide to "push" the doctor for early release.

Looking at the wording of the original post, it occurs to me that it's possible that the doctor had the office call to see if you would bring him in early to appease his neighbor - BUT never "discussed" the case. It may be that the doctor assumes you won't, but asking you would "get him off the hook" with the coach/neighbor. There's no question the coach is out of line, though.

Only you can decide if this incident is going to make you uneasy about the rest of your son's treatment. If you're always going to "wonder" who the doctor is working for, it might be better to change now.

We had a similar situation between DS's teacher & a psychologist he was seeing about ADD. We had only one appt after I learned they were discussing DS privately - and I wasn't satisfied with the Dr's responses. Your son is most important!

Deb

 

[SuiteDisney]

I'm sure you'll handle it better than I would. I'm very confrontational when it comes to my children and by the time I got finished with the coach and the doctor, neither one would probably ever speak to me again. That's why I usually let Gene handle this type os situation.

 

[patsal]

Totally out of line. Doctor patient confidentiality much!! I'd stay with the original appointment and get a second opinion if he is ready to give in.

 

[Snow White]

My experience with LOTS of sports injuries is that our coach is ALWAYS really involved!!! More often than not, our coaches will take whichever son it is straight to the ER and we meet them there, they stay in there with us during the exam, and even go to follow up visits!! Of course it has helped get the boys in a lot quicker with the orthopedic surgeons too having the coach pushing the issue, he even got one doc off of the golf course and had him meet us at the hospital this summer, so I guess it can be a little helpful to have a pushy coach too. Overall, I think they are very concerned about getting the child back in competition as quickly as possible, for whatever reason, but at least with our coaches, they wouldn't want to risk possiblity of re-injury by sticking them out there too soon because that wouldn't make much sense either. Just go with your gut instinct since you know your coach and doctor..... you have to be able to trust them both to feel good about letting them have that much influence on your child!

 

[Kermit]

I think that's very inappropriate for both the doctor and the coach. As others have mentioned, doctors aren't supposed to talk about their patients with other people. I'd be interested in seeing what happens when the doctor does clear your son for play. I wouldn't report him at this point, but I'd be furious if I found out he told the coach that your son can play before you did.

What's more, I find it incredibly sad that a coach for a 9 year old would be so adament about getting your ds back on the team. 9 year olds are little boys. It's not like he won't get a scholarship if he doesn't play this season. I know that you have to like winning to be a coach, but this is too much, IMHO.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Whatever happened to patient/doctor confidentiality? Am I the only one who thinks THAT is the real issue here? I would not only mention it to the doctor, but would ask the coach if he intends to reimburse you for the "extra" doctor visit and if he is willing to take resposibility (financial and legal) if your son suffers permanent damage from going back too soon. Growing bodies don't need this EXTRA stress!

 

[DocRafiki]

Originally posted by piratesmate

Looking at the wording of the original post, it occurs to me that it's possible that the doctor had the office call to see if you would bring him in early to appease his neighbor - BUT never "discussed" the case. It may be that the doctor assumes you won't, but asking you would "get him off the hook" with the coach/neighbor. There's no question the coach is out of line, though.
Deb

That was my interpretation, too. Obviously the coach knew who the doctor was and is the one pushing the issue. I doubt seriously that the Dr. was talking to the coach one day and said, "Hey, one of your players is my patient." If he did, that would be a breach. If the coach brings it up, that in no way means that the dr. told him anything about his condition. Even if he did tell him something like when he thought he would be ready, who cares? This is not the purpose of confidentiality laws. How is your son going to suffer from that? It's not like he's going to be discriminated against because he has H.I.V. The coach already knew about the fracture.

Of course, on this board, everyone will jump on the professional. Guilty until proven innocent appears to be the rule here.

However, what's done is done. The dr is under pressure; that's not going to go away. I don't think I would trust him if he said it was ok to go back and play. Of course, you can still keep your son out of play even if the dr says it's ok (or get the dr to make the official ruling that the bone isn't ready, if you're worried about getting that same pressure from the coach). If you want an honest unbiased opinion, just have him consult a radiologist on the x-rays (he is probably doing that already).