Well, most of us that have had good outcomes with surgery offer our docs high praise. But many of us have also suffered through the frustration of “less than perfect” office or admin support. I often hear these complaints from patients – but why not share it publicly! Shouldn’t the medical professionals here it from the global patient community!?

If you would, succinctly reply with your gripes regarding communications (of any kind, e.g. getting through, billing, responses, appointment setting or waiting, etc).

If you want, you can also vote in this one question poll – giving your doctor’s office a letter grade for supporting you – the patient. Please be succinct & polite, as this topic will be read by medical professionals around the world.

Lastly, we hope that this simple exercise will help professionals better understand the patients' perspective; perhaps even use it to make improvements. http://adrsupport.org/groupee_common...icon_smile.gif

Hey, don't forget to reply!

1st specialist (Orthopaedic surgeon) I went to started describing fusion to me when he knew damn well that I wanted ADR (after the most painful discogram ever performed on a living human being).

When I stopped him and told him that I wanted ADR (again), his response was that they hadn't learned that yet at their office, so I should just wait for him to learn, and then have surgery.

Ummm...no, thanks. Bye!

2nd specialist (Neurosurgeon) that I went to was experienced in ADR, but not in multi-level ADR, and wanted me to wait a year for multi-level ADR surgery to gain acceptance in the U.S. He almost fell out of his chair when I suggested German surgeon.

Later!

I saw and got opinions from 9 doctors before choosing Dr Delamarter. I have to be honest, he is an excellent surgeon but his front office staff was less then desirable to work with. I had to beat them into the ground to get anywhere. But my persistence paid off. Once I got through the front office and had my surgery I have worked with the back office staff his PA’s and the research department and they have been great. They answer all my phone calls the same day, relay messages to Dr Delamarter and he has called me personally on several occasions to check in on how I was doing. Now that what I call A+ service.

Saw 6! Orthepedic surgeons...all told me there was nothing they could do. DDD to progressed to do fusion. Told by 3 would be unable to walk by 45 (was 35 at the time), that my spine wouldnt be able to support me.
Spent hours and hours and more hours online trying to find anything. Found ADR Forum, and Dr. Gurr. the rest is history.
Dr.s did'nt want to offer ADR? or didnt know about it? Dont know which. Bothe are just as bad.

For me, three neurologists, all had opinions based on what I told them of my symptoms, none bothered to get xrays or MRIs. One said PT would fix, one gave me scripts for different muscle relaxers even when I told her I didn't liek them, one said my headaches and weakness down my arms was caused by excessive alcohol consumption. My orthopedic docs, however, started with x rays then MRIs. First one did fusions in 1998(technology at the time) then moved out of the state. Dr Yue replaced him and sent me to Dr B. in 2005 for an ADR. I've been very happy with Dr Yue & his staff.

Ann

ann f
excessive alcohol consumption did you sugest a smaller glass of beer at time also. LOL
chuck

Did you tell her you'd cut back to straight Listerine?? http://adrsupport.org/groupee_common...n_rolleyes.gif

Man, if it weren't so sad it would be funny.

One NS said my symptoms were 'psychological' because after 2 weeks in the hospital (in the wrong ward) he didn't find anything abnormal in his exam of me beyond the pain. He didn't have the MRI report--which I hadn't been given but had been told by an intern 'nothing unusual; you're complaining about nothing' http://adrsupport.org/groupee_common...s/icon_mad.gif).

When I exploded and basically called him both arrogant and incompetent, he went and got the MRI report himself and saw 'massive discal hernia C6-C7 with cord impingement'. OOPSIE, someone screwed up just a tad....(YA THINK??!) http://adrsupport.org/groupee_common...s/icon_eek.gif

From there I found my way from 'rheumatology' to neurosurgery' and my NS, and finally got the quality treatment we all deserve. http://adrsupport.org/groupee_common...icon_smile.gif http://adrsupport.org/groupee_common...icon_smile.gif

So the emoticon order for Round 1 was:

http://adrsupport.org/groupee_common...icon_frown.gif http://adrsupport.org/groupee_common...n_confused.gif http://adrsupport.org/groupee_common...s/icon_mad.gif http://adrsupport.org/groupee_common...s/icon_eek.gif http://adrsupport.org/groupee_common...s/icon_mad.gif http://adrsupport.org/groupee_common...icon_smile.gif http://adrsupport.org/groupee_common.../icon_cool.gif

(Round 2 in progress...)

Trace

This whole spine thing has been an incredible experience with the medical community here but I will limit this to my latest encounter with a neurologist. First, as to staff: I arrived carrying all of my MRI films, which are heavy and bulky; the receptionist demands that I write the check for my co-pay before she offers to take the MRI's. Oh well, it's always good to see the doc when you're in pain...Then I received a bill for the entire visit and when I called the billing office, they had no record of my having insurance nor of my co-payment. All of this could be laughed off in retrospect except the neurologist was (another) disaster. He walked in having read the notes from the 3 other neurologists in his practice I've seen (and no, I did not give authorization to release the records) and before I had a chance to state my "presenting complaint," said, "No good surgeon will touch you." The records he had are out-dated--there have been further developments--and I did not have a chance to tell him about the NS in town who wants to do a fusion nor of my consults with Dr. Yue and Dr. Bertagnoli. When I told him I can't look up at the ceiling, his response was, "You can live without looking at the ceiling." He insisted that my tingling was carpal tunnel--despite the fact that my ortho surgeon who is a shoulder/elbow/hand specialist has ruled it out several times now. Without doing the necessary tests, he told me I don't have thoracic outlet syndrome, despite the ortho's having diagnosed that. He did confirm that I have left triceps weakness and did order an MRI. He did do a nerve conduction test but no EMG--and despite the nerve conduction test's being normal, prescribed a wrist brace for my "carpal tunnel."
When the MRI came back with "no change" (but still showing cervical problems) he called to say I didn't need to come back for a follow-up.
I just had an EMG done (by another doc in this practice) which definitely shows cervical radiculopathy. As far as I'm concerned, it's time to go to LA for a decent neuro exam.
The silver lining is that I am so much more sensitive to my own patients' complaints about their treatment by docs and their staff.

Chuck, If anything, alcohol consumption HELPS my ongoing tight neck by relaxing it, and it's much more fun than muscle relaxers. 2nd best to VIOXX....which I could take anytime of day...
Ann

Thanks for sharing all. It's sad, but hopefully some of the docs will get the message.

Keep posting.

Steer a clear course away from Dr. Yannopolus of Bloomfield CT. Not only did he tell me a month before my surgery with Dr. Yue that there was nothing wrong with me, he said that anyone who would operate on me would be committing a criminal act. I had my guts practically hanging out and just started walking after surgery when I went up to his office and picketed him. Quack Quack Monkey Man. That reminds me, it is Picket Season. As far as Yale Medical and Staff in New Haven Connecticut, I am lucky to have found them. Billing will always be hospital billing. During pre-op scheduling I had the most wonderful nurse, I will never forget. The d-hour before surgery I was given multiple opportunities to leave. My anesthesiologist was Sheppard Stone, great guy. For a while I thought I was getting the run around until Laura told me she was scheduling me. Boy, did that separate the men from the boys. I can still feel that lump in my throat. When Laura at Dr. Yues’ office gets on the case, watch out. If there is any adverse residual from my experience at Yale, I would say it is denial, that I am not in love with Laura. (JL)

JL:

I sent you a question via a PM, if you don't mind....

Thanks.

David

Sahuaro,

You would not be treated like that if you brought your MD husband along I think.

LA's no picnic either. I hope he can be with you.

ans

I am so sorry to be reading all this, it is a sad sad day when people who have no business being in health care have our wellness in their hands. '

I discussed this on my blog
and just want to say that I hope some aspiring healthcare "administrators" read it and change the way things are, it seems pretty much across the board. Good help is hard to find, I guess.

Ans: No joke. In fact, when my ortho referred me to the NS, he advised having my husband attend so I would be taken seriously. Disgusting, isn't it?

Eddie: Next time offer to squat against her desk, counter or whatever as an alternative to the wall.
And you would hope that your doc would be unhappy with the fact that you can't sit on a chair...

After experiencing the outstanding - really outstanding -- patient care at the AlphaKlinik in Germany, I am even less tolerant of the mediocre and worse care here in the U.S.

Recently I have had two medical appointments. Both involved seeing the resident first, then the doctor I went to see. The resident asks you questions, then gives his/her interpretation to the doctor. Typically they look at the films without you. Then the doctor thinks he knows what's going on before even meeting you. One appointment was a total of 5 minutes, the other 10 minutes...and that's being generous.

There was a rushed feeling with both appointments. I am definitely not going to go to any more two-tier appointments if I can help it. Any negative experience, even an appointment, I think is really bad for the head. I am tempted to ask my mother to join me (she's in her 80s). Historically I get more respect when I bring my mother. Fed up.

Thank god for my primary who talks with me, really listens, and has a solid 20 minutes or so to offer.

Great thread Richard.....I have lots to say seeing that I have been in healthcare for over 12 years and on both sides of the fence giving and "receiving" the care.

Some of you may know my story - others not. I will try to keep this abbreviated.

I was an ER/Trauma nurse training to be on the flight team. At that time, I was the next "crop" of nurses to get in the air. However, although my spirit was going in one direction - the body another due to the physical working environment in the ER with lifting. I was injured at work and started off as a work comp patient...

So, my work comp doc was an arse - he would tell me anything to just get me out of the system. Good thing that I came from a medical background to argue my case.
---While in the work comp system, I was told by the surgeon that they eventually referred me to that my back would get better on its own. It will just take time. But offered NOTHING as far as managing the symptoms.

I finally convinced work comp to let my primary physician to have a look at my case. Of course the treatment was better and he helped me manage the symptoms better.

When the symptoms didn't go away - I started looking into alternatives to fusion (ADR) - I know that I went to atleast 7 surgeons specializing in both ADR and fusion. Some would do a tap dance around issues regarding ADR.

-----For example, I asked one ADR surgeon about the motion of the device. The specific question was: Does the ADR have a "shock absorber" effect? Does it cushion the spine like a natural disc? Of course the surgeon knew what I was asking, but answered "I don't know what you are asking me" - He knew the plastic core was hard as a rock - which was okay, but I just wanted someone to give me honest answers. I felt as though this particular surgeon was trying to be more of a "salesman" than a doc.

-----Then another ADR surgeon consult: We noticed that the alignment of the multi-level replacements that many of the patient's ADRs were not in alignment after looking at some x-rays of his previous work. When questioned, the response was "the placement does not need to be that perfect, the spine is VERY forgiving." - I knew better than that - The hell if it is....Placement is absolutely, positively critical to be a success and the ADRs need to be in perfect alignment to balance the spine. This doc really gave us a load of BS - didn't he!?!?!

The local ortho spine surgeon that I was referred to by my primary doc was okay. However, I question whether his interests were aligned with mine or lining his pocket.
----Now, this surgeon did refer me to pain management who did help me immensely with the symptoms.
----------However, when he could not offer me ADR here because of the device he was using in clinical trials was on hold - I asked him if I could have Dr. B perform my 2 level placement and then he could do the follow up. Well, that went over like a "lead balloon". He told me that if you have surgery abroad, you are no longer my patient. Even when you return. The only thing he could offer me was fusion. I said no thanks!!! I'll take my chances with or without you!!!
----------You see there is not as much $$$ in patient follow up care as there is with a surgical case.....I have to wonder about the conflicts of interest here.

If I had waited for my local surgeon to offer ADR to me - I would STILL be waiting!!!

As far as dealing with the front line staff of physician offices, it has always been a problem for me. It is my experience that physicians / surgeons purposely "layer" themselves away from patients until they are ready for them. The front lines staff job is to follow through on the layering - unfortunately. Atleast, this is my impression.

It is also my impression with the relationship regarding the kind of insurance one is holding as it relates to the speed of getting in with the doc. It just seems to me that if a patient is carrying Medicaid, they will be seemingly be waiting forever. However, private insurance seem to get in quicker. Again $$$ issue. Many will deny this - but it is funny that when working in the ER, a vast majority of patients that can not get in with their docs in a timely manner to manage their medical conditions are on......Medicaid.....Hummmmm

The "bottom line" here for us patients is to educate yourself on your particular medical problems. Also, know what your patient rights are.

I could droan on - but these are some of the things that stand out of the top of my head.