Dear Patient,

[JanaDee]

Hey, I saw them drill a hole in someone's head on Grey's Anatomy. I'm sure you could have handled a fingernail at home.

I hope he's doing better BTW.

DH was away on a business trip at the time and told me to take a knife to his finger. Ummm, nope, not happening. That is why we have insurance, to use when it is needed.

Yes, he's doing fine. He luckily didn't lose the nail and it hasn't been ripped off by his baseball glove yet.

 

[CaliBear]

You must have something against the medical profession or something, perhaps?

I take the time like some others have to explain the situation and things to consider, but all you can focus on is the fact that the 'exalted medical profession' feels it's on a high pedestal and is paid too much.. If that's how you feel even presented with just objective data then that's your opinion, fine with me... as teachers would say, you'd never understand it unless you were doing it.. so as medical professionals will say, you'll never understand it unless you're doing it.

However - I ask you, would you act or feel the same way (and say what you've said) if teachers complained about the same pressures they are under, and asked for your understanding about their grading, or homework, or paperwork, or students, or rules they have to follow? Or if nurses complained? Just as everyone has their right to an opinion, everyone has a right to complain as well... it's fascinating; however, that people seem to 'poo-poo' things when certain people complain.

You posted a pot stirring link that was about 100 times worse than anything anyone has said here, and you're accusing me of having something against others?

As for your question, about a month ago, a substitute teacher posted a "Dear Parent" thread, advising parents how to behave in regards to educational matters. The outcry was swift and deserved imo. I don't see this thread as any different. The OP was probably just venting, but it was the wrong place to vent about patients just as it's the wrong place to vent about parents. Many people on this board are/have been caretakers for their elderly parents and spend a lot of time with doctors so I'd expect strong opinions in both directions.

And this, my friends, is one of the huge problems with the medical profession. Except in RARE, RARE, RARE circumstances, a cold is NOT a reason to see a doctor. I know you were giving an example of a "non-emergency" condition that might require a doctor's visit, but a cold is a poor example. Unfortunately, it's also a true example of the ridiculous things doctor's find in their waiting rooms. There is nothing a doctor can DO for a cold. A cold is a viral condition which (with or without treatment) gets better in 7-10 days. There is no drug to take which works for anything other than the symptoms, and all those drugs are available over the counter.

As for the office hours, is the post office open after 5? Nope. How about a carpenter? Can I go to the architect after 5? There are MANY businesses that operate (gasp) during business hours and for which I must take time from work if I wish to use them. Why complain about doctors?

There ARE physicians who operate after normal business hours at urgent care facilities and in hospital emergency rooms. (Ever try to get a postal worker at 2 am? Ever try to get a teacher to address a homework question at 2 am?). And, thank goodness for that. I've never believed that my pediatrician needs to operate at 7 at night to be "convenient" for me.

I was actually giving the "cold" example because the person I quoted mentioned a call on Friday from someone who was "sick". I misspoke by using the word "cold". You are absolutely correct that going to the doctor for a cold is not necessary and clogs up the system. "Sick" can obviously mean many things other than "cold" and I wasn't thinking of common cold when I switched the wording, but the mistake is mine.

If you read my first post in this thread, I mentioned that I am currently living outside the US, on a small, overcrowded island yet I can walk in without an appointment and be seen within 15 minutes. And pay less than $50 even though I am only here as a visitor and have no insurance. What is the difference? There are small GP clinics all over the island, all open 24 hours. There is a slight pay increase (10-15 dollars) to be seen outside of the hours of 7-6, as well as an increase for weekend treatment. They treat anything a day clinic in the US would treat, and refer to specialists or hospital as needed. It is only because of my experience with this system that I ever even considered that 24 clinics might make a difference, but my experience is that they do. It was a suggestion based on what I have seen to be effective, nothing more.

So, you don't want to wait, but you also want an immediate appointment for a cold...and others can wait because you feel you are entitled to this? Doctors offices aren't magical places that provide instantaneous services at your convenience, and it's those who go to the doctor for a "cold" that help create the long waits.

Read my comments above. I guess I am living on an island with magical doctors offices. As for feeling entitled. where on earth did you get that I want other people to wait for me and my doctor visit? I was trying to suggest something that I have seen work successfully, that would help everyone have less waits, including the doctor. The population of the earth has grown since the current model was thought of. I put forth one way that one country is attempting to deal with the increased demands on their doctors.

 

[mnrose]

Does this small magical island have a single payer, universal health care system? I'll bet it does.

That makes a HUGE difference. Payments are different. Liability is different. And, that just touches the surface.

You can't take the "benefits" of universal care without getting rid of our entire insurance based health care system. That was tried, and see how far we got with that. People are still vociferously complaining about so-called "Obama care" and that just nibbled at the edges of our current system.

 

[Disney Doll]

You and your Mr. Brown seem to think other professions don't also have a long list (#3) of stresses with the job, or at least that doctors have more. Most of what you listed is not unique to the medical profession btw. It's called having a job. Do you, like your Mr. Brown that you linked, also think teaching is a lessor profession that deserves lower pay than the exalted medical profession that is just so much harder than anything any of us normal humans have to endure? Or did you link that as a p/a way to throw salt?

What a testy response to a post that was offering other points of view, and not in a nasty way. Jeez!

 

[CaliBear]

Does this small magical island have a single payer, universal health care system? I'll bet it does.

That makes a HUGE difference. Payments are different. Liability is different. And, that just touches the surface.

You can't take the "benefits" of universal care without getting rid of our entire insurance based health care system. That was tried, and see how far we got with that. People are still vociferously complaining about so-called "Obama care" and that just nibbled at the edges of our current system.

It's actually a mixed system with partial subsidies. I have said from the start that I think insurance companies bear most of the blame for the waits, not to mention a host of other problems that have been brought up, but I will leave it at that.

 

[NotUrsula]

Do you realize how long it would take to have a staff member text every patient? AND...many of our patients are elderly and don't text, heck, they don't even have voicemail, LOL!

Yep, I do. About 1 minute. Again, this is what technology exists for. Schools do it every snow day, or if their power unexpectedly fails, etc.

You go to your automation system and you select a standard message out of several pre-set options, then, by clicking on a calendar and clock, you direct it to be sent to every patient scheduled to be seen by Dr. X on that calendar day at a time later than the present. Takes about 7 clicks if the program is correctly set up. (I can do it with Microsoft Exchange, it doesn't require high-end software.)

Also, with all due respect, elderly patients are not usually a population who have tight schedules; retirement is convenient that way. If they have a family member who must take them to appts, it is again a minor matter to have them designate that person to be able to get all scheduling messages.

Will the message reach everyone? No, but if it only reaches one person scheduled early in the day who chooses to cancel, your physician is that much closer to catching up to his/her schedule, and every other patient scheduled that day benefits.

 

[Flamingeaux]

Dear Doctor, why do I feel like I just visited a used car lot? You seem to be pushing me to have unnecessary surgery or shaming me into getting cataract lens that cost an arm and a leg. You plan so many assembly line surgeries that I wake up during my procedure.

"never let a little skin get between you and a surgery"

 

[CaliBear]

What a testy response to a post that was offering other points of view, and not in a nasty way. Jeez!

Did you read the link I'm referring to? It denigrated a number of professions. People don't go to the trouble of posting links for no reason, and hiding behind someone else's blog post doesn't make you not acting "in a nasty way".

 

[lsyorke]

You go to your automation system and you select a standard message out of several pre-set options, then, by clicking on a calendar and clock, you direct it to be sent to every patient scheduled to be seen by Dr. X on that calendar day at a time later than the present. Takes about 7 clicks if the program is correctly set up. (I can do it with Microsoft Exchange, it doesn't require high-end software.)

And Microsoft exchange(if it was compatible with all the different EHR systems, which its not) is not HIPAA compliant, therefore putting any information about a patient would be a violation. Any association that a medical office has with an outside contractor requires a Business Associate Agreement signed by the officer of that company. You are not getting a BAA from Microsoft, and without it the practice is in violation and can be fined.

Adding in medical confidentiality opens a can of worms that those outside of practice management would never realize existed.

Bottom line..if you don't like your doctors policies, then change doctors, but realize that medicine is a whole new world than even existed 10 years ago.

 

[wallawallakids]

And Microsoft exchange(if it was compatible with all the different EHR systems, which its not) is not HIPAA compliant, therefore putting any information about a patient would be a violation. Any association that a medical office has with an outside contractor requires a Business Associate Agreement signed by the officer of that company. You are not getting a BAA from Microsoft, and without it the practice is in violation and can be fined.

Adding in medical confidentiality opens a can of worms that those outside of practice management would never realize existed.

Bottom line..if you don't like your doctors policies, then change doctors, but realize that medicine is a whole new world than even existed 10 years ago.

This! Well said and very true.

 

[sam_gordon]

And Microsoft exchange(if it was compatible with all the different EHR systems, which its not) is not HIPAA compliant, therefore putting any information about a patient would be a violation. Any association that a medical office has with an outside contractor requires a Business Associate Agreement signed by the officer of that company. You are not getting a BAA from Microsoft, and without it the practice is in violation and can be fined.

Adding in medical confidentiality opens a can of worms that those outside of practice management would never realize existed.

Bottom line..if you don't like your doctors policies, then change doctors, but realize that medicine is a whole new world than even existed 10 years ago.

You don't have to have ANY patient information. The message sent can be:

Dear Patient,

Dr. <insert doctor's name> is running late today. Long wait times are expected. If you'd like to reschedule, please contact our office at <insert phone number>.

Thank you
<name of clinic>

Surely that doesn't even come close to violating HIPPA.

 

[Mkrop]

And Microsoft exchange(if it was compatible with all the different EHR systems, which its not) is not HIPAA compliant, therefore putting any information about a patient would be a violation. Any association that a medical office has with an outside contractor requires a Business Associate Agreement signed by the officer of that company. You are not getting a BAA from Microsoft, and without it the practice is in violation and can be fined.

Adding in medical confidentiality opens a can of worms that those outside of practice management would never realize existed.

Bottom line..if you don't like your doctors policies, then change doctors, but realize that medicine is a whole new world than even existed 10 years ago.

how is texting me not HIPPA compliant? I signed all the forms. You are telling me that all of Drs, every single one who has the ability to call me, email me and text me are violating HIPPA. DS11 goes to a world renowned children's hospital, for his appts, I get a letter in the mail, a phone call, and most recently a text reminding me of our appt. I even have the chance to confirm the appt by replying YES to the text. So if that is all allowed via HIPPA and I am sure it is, then a simple automated text saying they are running behind should be allowed.

 

[Burnedout]

Yes I would.

Nurses are heroes. I have to admit that 45 hears ago not only were the nurses doing all the work in the hospital but they were also in occasion watching the doc's kids. My sister and I are the most patient people in the world, since we were always waitng for him. We knew better than to cause an issue and knew to sit quietly!

 

[NotUrsula]

And Microsoft exchange(if it was compatible with all the different EHR systems, which its not) is not HIPAA compliant, therefore putting any information about a patient would be a violation. Any association that a medical office has with an outside contractor requires a Business Associate Agreement signed by the officer of that company. You are not getting a BAA from Microsoft, and without it the practice is in violation and can be fined.

Adding in medical confidentiality opens a can of worms that those outside of practice management would never realize existed.

Bottom line..if you don't like your doctors policies, then change doctors, but realize that medicine is a whole new world than even existed 10 years ago.

With all due respect, that's a load of horsepucky. There is NOTHING that violates HIPAA in a scheduling-related text message to a patient that has authorized you to send them. It needn't contain any confidential information about the patient, not even his or her name. If the issue is that it is somehow making it public (though how a text message to a person's private number is public I will never know) that the person that it is directed to is expected in the office of Dr. X that day, wording is a simple fix. For all anyone knows, the recipient of the message is a pharma rep -- not everyone who has an appt. to visit a particular medical office has to be a patient.

I wasn't suggesting that you *use* Exchange to send such messages, I merely mentioned that as an example of how inexpensive out-of-the box calendaring software is capable of this simple task. If Exchange can do it, then surely your nice expensive EHR system can do it, and if it cannot do something this simple; then the physician has just lost my respect for piddling away a huge chunk of his or her operating funds on a crappy piece of software.

Quite frankly, it sounds to me as though you think it would be just too much trouble to make any effort to show respect for your clients' time, because you are irritated that SOME of them don/t respect yours. Last I checked, two wrongs still don't add up to a right.

 

[booger73]

Did you read the link I'm referring to? It denigrated a number of professions. People don't go to the trouble of posting links for no reason, and hiding behind someone else's blog post doesn't make you not acting "in a nasty way".

The link to the blog post not only has the discussion as noted by the blogger, but also has an interesting read of over 970 comments that has opinions on both sides of the issue including how insurance companies, hospital CEO/administration, Graduate Medical Education 'caps' on training, tort, pharmaceutical companies, technology and the use of expensive tests are causing problems... If you think that this discussion is testy, you should read through those comments instead..

Every link or other information that I've posted includes links towards issues to think about - people wanted some info and answers on how things relate to health care, and doctor wait times and I was providing that.. and that's not my blog post, I don't even know the guy.. however, there is a direct link to it from the sermo blog talking about 'wait times by region' and the 'us doctors versus other countries' - so it's important information to read and have.. Perhaps I should have put the same thing they said as well, "As with all infographics this is meant to entertain and spark conversation"

May it comes across that I was being testy, or passive/aggressive, but I wasn't.. and I have a feeling people's emotions are going to run higher no matter what, if it's a 'dear parent from a teacher'.. or similar thread like it.
And i disagree.. this is the perfect place to think, talk about it - information, understanding and learning is important.. but if we have to agree to disagree, consider the discussion closed on my end

 

[lsyorke]

If Exchange can do it, then surely your nice expensive EHR system can do it, and if it cannot do something this simple; then the physician has just lost my respect for piddling away a huge chunk of his or her operating funds on a crappy piece of software.

I'm done now. Good luck with making all the changes that you would like made.

 

[Pin Wizard]

I have had the "first appointment," and she's STILL late!! That's why I don't go as often as they'd like. Grrrr.

 

[bittybabygrower]

My hospital uses my chart and we send messages thru that. We are not allowed to send texts to patients, but maybe someday they will add a feature like people want to this program.

 

[Burnedout]

I have had the "first appointment," and she's STILL late!! That's why I don't go as often as they'd like. Grrrr.

Lots of times my docs "first appt" is after he has been to the hospital to check on folks. Unexpected problems equal time.