Why I Am So Angry With Florida Docs

marlasmom

DIS Veteran
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Jul 21, 2000
Messages
1,883
Bear with me - I am distraught and my keyboard doesn't do caps and sticks a lot.

Two weeks ago someone from cardiologist's office called and aid dh needed cardiac catherization. DH had lots of questions as did I and said he would get back to them. TWO HOURS LATER he called back and said go ahead and schedule it. She said we'll get back to you. WE HAVE CALLED EVERY DAY FOR TWO WEEKS. today dh had an appointment with primary doc who said he ould take care of wthis right now. We met with girl in cardiologist's office who finally said well I talked to someone over there. That's when I exploded and said I'm a paralegal -don't you note the date and time and who you talked to and the result of that conversation. Did you think when we were calling daily to follow up. Especially since the doc wants it done right away.

Backtrack to my mammogram. Doctor calls - you have two masses - see a surgeon. Surgeon says looks okay but I want to see old mammogram. I said I told them if they had difficulty getting old one I would call. Surgeon said please do - I did but new clinic lost it. Finally surgeon called and said radiologist said no difference between mammograms of 01 and now so all is ok. GREAT - but I did not have one in 01 - I had one in 97. I am going with the idea that there is nothing too terrible on this mammogram because we have to take care of dh now.

Backtrack again to the first doc I had down here. SO MUCH GRIEF WITH THE OFFICE PERSON I CAN'T TYPE IT ALL. Doc recommended I see a cardiologist and get a colonscopy. AFTER ONE MONTH, office girl says she is sorry she just hasn't had time to schedule those appointments.

My daughter is a nurse. the other people in this rant are not. dd offered to schedule dh's cardiac test but they would not give her the number. Today she offered me the number and told me to do it myself.

Head nurse at the clinic told me that doctors make so little money down here - that's what she said - they can't afford to hire nurses and have untrained people. ya think.
 
Sorry you went through all that, but it really sounds like your beef should be with the office staffs, not the doctors. :(
 
I would let the Doctor have it the next time you see him.

The staff works for him!!! Actually if this is the quality of the staff he hires, I would start looking for a new doctor.

Also, I would not just ignore those masses. The one explanation for the date issue may be Y2K. Some hospitals transferred everything to new systems resulting in some screwed up dates. However, two masses could be just as serious as your DH's heart.

My other suggestion would be to go to the offices. STAND in the front area and demand they make your appointments NOW while you are waiting. In the future don't leave without things scheduled.

Yes, money is tight in Florida and there is a nursing shortage, but most of this scheduling is done by clerks anyway even if they have a nurse!
 
Thanks guys - I have had problems with ALMOST every office staff and today we did bombard the doctor's office with the help of the primary doc. I did let the doctor know his staff is incompetent and also praised the one member of his staff who did know what was going on. nurses or clerks - they have a job to do and should do it - follow up when necessary. NEVER had these problems back home.
 

I feel for ya...We have some issues with out family doc in Celebration. They are VERY difficult to get anything done. They say 24hrs for a refill call in, then 48-72 later, the pharmacy has it. It is really tough. I understand
 
So sorry! I've been in FL and found trouble with most docs I've had! :eek: They just don't seem to have the competency that those in the Northeast part of the country do. I was used to the doc giving me a robe each visit and listening to my heart and lungs with a stethoscope on my skin. These guys listen through my shirt! :crazy: What's with that? Every time I had an appointment with my doc up north, a breast exam was done. Here? LOLOLOL! No way! And they ask if I see a GYN. It's his problem to check if I am seeing one. :crazy: :crazy: I have been sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo disgusted with the docs in FL!! For 8 years I have been complaining of discomfort in the left side of my chest. NO ONE can find a problem! Not any of my primary cares that I've had through the years, and not a cardiologist! :crazy: :earseek: :mad: I have to say that I have been thrilled with my OB/GYN. He's always on the ball!! :) Of course, I also found out that he did his training in NY and at Temple Univ. Gee...why am I not surprised now?! There was one instance where I had called his office and asked for him. Message was taken. When I finally called back and was able to speak with him, I let him know that I called a couple days before. He asked who I spoke with...I told him. She was GONE after that! Good luck with the docs. Keep searching until you find someone you're happy with. In the mean time, I would definitely get that cardiac cath scheduled!

On a good note...Winter Haven? Is that the adorable town the train passed through the other day? It's Winter something or other. I just LOVED it!!! Comes in right after VA Beach area in my book! :)
 
Originally posted by Dax
I feel for ya...We have some issues with out family doc in Celebration. They are VERY difficult to get anything done. They say 24hrs for a refill call in, then 48-72 later, the pharmacy has it. It is really tough. I understand
You just reminded me of how bad the docs are here on returning calls also. In the Northeast I ALWAYS had a call back on the same day! Here? It can take 2 or 3 days! :mad: :mad: :rolleyes:
 
Try dealing with the VA.. Now there's a nightmare for you!! Basically if you don't get sick on "your clinic day", you are tough out of luck..

And then they wonder why people use the ER as a doctors office..:confused:
 
Must be a Central or South FL thing? I don't have those kinds of troubles up here in North FL. In fact we are very pleased with our Peds,and Family practitioner. Peds puts you through to a nurse ASAP, you may have to hold 10 mins, but a nurse is staffed just to assist calls 24/7! She will tell you what to do or get you in if you like. Never had that when we lived up north! We did have a dingbat receptionist at our Fam. Pract. office when we first moved here. I am happy to report she is gone!::yes:: I just had some minor surgery and received the BEST care in outpatient. Many nurses running about checking on me and making sure I was comfortable. Was hard to leave that kind of TLC:p !
So sorry about your troubles, you may want to get opinions about a better Dr. office if you are not happy there.
 
mm sorry to hear you are having such trouble :(
 
Not a So Fla thing. I get calls back from my doctors within hours of when I call. I can get an appointment the day I call if necessary. Only had one goof up so far and that was for my second mammogram and the was the lack of an interpreter. My doc's office forgot to tell them I am hard of hearing.
 


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