Maria, all I can say right now is, thanks for holding on! You are so right to keep us updated and informed about your encounter with the roadblocks and setbacks. I could cite chapter and verse of several "doctor" problems from my past history, but I can also say that only by pressing on will you get satisfaction.
I heard a good phrase last week while in one of the hospital "waiting rooms." It was <adult-onset stupidity>. Perhaps this would explain the way surgeons lose their ability to speak with patients as their surgery skills develop.
I followed up on a radio program quote, and found an interesting statistic this week. Patients during a doctor's appointment are interrupted by the doctor on the average of 35 seconds into the discussion, but that if the doctor did not interrupt, the diagnosis would present itself in 39 seconds.
Also, Doctors underestimate the amount of information patients want and overestimate how much they actually give. In one study of 20-minute office visits, doctors spent about 1 minute per visit informing patients but believed they were spending 9 minutes per visit doing so.
Doctors who can’t communicate are more likely to end up in court. An analysis of 45 malpractice cases found that many of the doctors being sued delivered information poorly and devalued the patient’s views.
and, if you can take one more: Speaking and Interruptions During Primary Care Office Visits
Donna R. Rhoades, PhD; Kay F. McFarland, MD; W. Holmes Finch, MEd; Andrew O. Johnson
Background: Patients and physicians value effective communication and consider it an essential part of the medical encounter. This study examined physician-patient communication patterns, and interruptions in communication, during patient visits with family practice and internal medicine residents. Methods: Observational data obtained from 60 routine primary care office visits included the time that resident physicians and patients spoke and the number and types of interruptions. A total of 22 family practice and internal medicine residents participated, 9 from family practice and 13 from internal medicine. Results: Patients spoke, uninterrupted, an average of 12 seconds after the resident entered the room. One fourth of the time, residents interrupted patients before they finished speaking. Residents averaged interrupting patients twice during a visit. The time with patients averaged 11 minutes, with the patient speaking for about 4 minutes. Computer use during the office visit accounted for more interruptions than beepers. Verbal interruptions, a knock on the door, beeper interruptions, and computer use all interfered with communication, and increased frequency of interruptions are associated with less favorable patient perceptions of the office visit. Female residents interrupted their patients less often than did male physicians. All residents interrupted female patients more often than male patients. Early and increased interruptions were associated with patients’ perception that they should have talked more. Third-year residents interrupted patients less frequently than did first-year residents. Conclusions: Numerous interruptions occurred during office visits. Gender was associated with the pattern of interruptions. Physicians frequently interrupted patients before the patients were finished speaking. Computer use also interrupted physician-patient communication.
Once, I actually tried to report a rude doctor to the head of the department, only to learn that he WAS the head of the department. Once, I reported that an ultrasound technician was unskilled and her exam was much more painful than necessary, and nothing was done.
But, I kept going, and eventually got answers. Now that the internet is so active, we have each other, and we can support each other, which is what this list is all about.
Keep pushing, keep trying, and keep a positive attitude. Not about the doctors of the past, but the doctors of the future.
Stephany in Iowa