After a less than satisfactory appointment myself, I was deeply troubled to come to this site and read multiple reports of poor relationships between doctors and patients. When did we lose the relationship between us that is so necessary, especially to the successful treatment of long term illnesses, such as heart disease?

I recognize there are deficiencies on both ends of the stethoscope and doctors are not totally at fault for the breakdown between us. However, the days of doctor worship and unquestioning acquiescence that our parents showered on your profession have ended thanks to a more educated public. I cannot comprehend a professional ignoring critical warning signs without even a cursory inspection, and arbitrarily designating the symptoms as nothing to worry about. Hey, those symptoms are on the very list you provide us as danger signs!

You sir, or Madame, are our employees, and the very reason for your profession’s existence is care and treatment of us. This statement is not made in arrogance, just statement of fact. Some of you complain that patients use the internet as a diagnostic and treatment tool, but has it occurred to you that perhaps this has become so prolific because we can’t get answers from you? So many doctors just don’t have, and won’t take, time for patients.

Many of you are exemplary doctors, and yet you don’t fully utilize those skills, do you really believe a 5 minute office visit for a patient with issues is adequate for proper diagnosis and treatment? Assembly line practices only work when the individual parts and procedures are identical, unfortunately, humans are not all alike.

Quality of service is what we are looking for, not necessarily time. Explain, listen, answer, I believe those three words sum up what we’d like. When a patient identifies a symptom to you, at least take time to explain why you feel it’s nothing to worry about.

Personally, I have a high degree of respect for my Cardiologist, I’m just very disappointed. I guess after your rescheduling my appointment multiple times, you still didn't really have time to worry about small details like my heart.

I’m glad I got that off my chest; I’ve already got far too much to deal in that region.

 

 

I could not have asked for a better response. How true your "post" is. Now I am trying to think of how I can print, cut off any PM Club materials & mail your article to a couple of my Dr's. without them recognizing me.

Boy, did you "hit the nail on the head!" This is definitely not idle chit-chat, just the facts, Madam/Sir ~

To fear your Dr. enough not to be able to say to their face exactly what you have written Cabg Patch is not a professional relationship between the Dr./Client.

Thank You, Cabg Patch, this is exactly how/what I feel. Again, you are the Bestest! Keep on ~ (Ya' wanna go to the Dr. w/me next time ~ LOL).

Bear Hugs to All, Carolyn G. in TEXAS ( :

 

i couldnt have said it any better ,glad im not the only one who feels this way, id like to send a copy of your post to all my doctors,im tired of the 5 minute visit and like your bothering them thanks for the post !

 

OMG! So true.So true. So true. There is nothing that I can except thank you. Perhaps this should be sent to the American Medical Association for their next conference !!!!! Thx a bunch! You made my day :-))

 

The relationship and eventually we will hit the bottom of this pit if we keep treating this relationship as outcome of capitalistic venture. When I put myself in Dr. shoes I see them going through wasteful training on things which they could have avoided and then they feel frustrated after seeing wal street pay package of 750k per year. Lot of time is wasted in visit to Dr. office and then when you see 5 minutes spent, raises the BP for which now you are patient.

All my Dr. are nice and I want to change my Cardiologist because of logistics and 2nd opinion.

It is true Healthcare is still in Mainframe era and we are at Ipad and Iphone with Google pushing further.

Even PM technology moronically is very retarded, seriously I feel like challanged to go in this field but again my motivation is capitalism, the first reason I did not want to be Dr., I cannot stand others blood.

 

I had the same problem with a couple of my Cardiologists through out the years. I have recently found one that actually sits down and talks to me about what is going on. I think that we have enough to deal with, with our heart problems. We don't need any added stress from a doctor basically turning and burning their patients. Thats how I fell sometimes. You need to find and research Cardiologists in your area. I found the ones that don't spend enough time with you, don't do a great job in the surgical department either. If they act like that in the office they may do that in a surgery. I have had 8 surgeries on my heart and I have had many complications due to doctors mistakes. Please look for another doctor so this doesn't happen to you!!!

 

SPEAK IT........C'MON, THAT's RIGHT, YOU KNOW IT BROTHER.

In other words, my thoughts exactly. I concur, Mr. Spock.

Just wonderful,
Angelie

I'm still trying to get the doctors to explain to me why since my ventricular lead placement that my heart now varies in sounds from a wailing seal, a loud whiny dog, and a squeaky trampoline. I don't listen to my heart all of the time, because I think it's unhealthy and fixated, BUT sometimes when I'm not feeling quite right the squeak is SO loud that I can hardly hear the natural thumps and thuds..

 

I'm not a Doctor, as my dear friend would most assuredly point out to you, but a little WD40 will fix that squeek. It's most likely the valve dragging on the lead as it opens and closes. Hey No charge for the consultation.

Dr. Patch

 

So funny CabgPatch

I am so sad to hear of all the bad experiences my fellow pm friends are having with their doctors...I have had experiences in the past and it is so frustrating! Don't give up! Switch doctor's if you have to, get 2nd opinions, do whatever you need to!

My current cardiologist is amazing, he listens well, takes as much time as needed to answer questions, and explains things in a way that is easily understood without being "dumbed-down." My last appointment we talked for 45 minutes. There is hope!

 

If you are not satisfied or you are in any way distrustful of the medical professional who cares for you, by all means shop around for another specialist. . . . . but do it on the sly (meaning: Keep it quiet). Many in the medical profession will get very angry and some will get downright nasty if a patient even begins to think of a "2nd" opinion! However, we are entitled to build trust in or to be distrusting of a medical professional if he or she has earned it.

When you do shop around, if you can, go to another city for a 2nd opinion because it has been my experience that doctors stick together like white on rice (pardon the phrase) and what one says, others will agree with regardless if that initial opinion was right or not. Like the old saying goes, "Birds of a feather all stick together!" so it is with the medical profession.

When you go for the 2nd opinion, I would suggest not mentioning that you are there for a "2nd" opinion. Simply state your medical need, your symptoms and see what the new person tells you. Then compare your notes.

I have certainly had more than my share of simply horrible experiences with cardiologists in my city. It got the point that I felt I had no other choice but to leave my state and travel to a specialist some distance away just to get an honest opinion about my heart health. Turns out the cardio in my neck of the woods is either blind, stupid, mentally incompetent, greedy or just downright uncaring or maybe a bit of all of these. He failed (or refused) to accurately diagnose my bradycardia and instead, reported to my primary care that my tests (echo and stress) were all normal and that I was fine! She and I didn't agree on that assessment (my HR is in the 40's) and I got a 3rd opinion far, far away in another galaxy.

Just like JessieWay, I simply adore the current cardio at the new group in the far away place and I have no doubt that this guy is sharp as a tack, 'has great doctor-patient skills and has already run circles around the 2 nut cases in my location!!!!!!!! I trust this new cardio 150% and he gives me very positive "vibes". There are people who have M.D. following their names and then there are doctors who truly practice what seems to be (more and more) the lost art of medicine!

As patients who have medical issues with our hearts, we can't afford to let even one uncaring, unprofessional, greedy, rude or incompetent person touch our wallets or our lives if they can't touch our hearts first with compassion, a patient ear or kind words
by treating us like the intelligent people that we are!!!

Every one of us deserves to be given the appropriate medical treatment needed to restore our lives and not simply implanted with a piece of metal that enables them to collect a check. Do more than simply switch cardiologists ------- demand to be heard, demand to be given the correct treatment and don't settle for anything less!!! If the shoe don't fit your foot, stop trying to squeeze into! Shop for a better cardio fit. . . . . because your life, your health is priceless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

'Sorry for the long post, 'yall.

 

I for some reason can picture you saying this to the point and the truth in alot of cases. Im glad I dont have one of those cardioligists.

dave

 

This post should be put into the doctors' journals they read as an open letter to doctors...

Good one Patch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sue

 

please if u dont mind i need to find drs outside of tx. cause ive been black balled and no drs will touch me cause of neglect.i need wire extractions with epicardial leads. they are broken and fread. i have peaces of wire pokeing out of my skin.and if there pokeing out what about my orgains my regular dr says they have to come out but cant find a dr will.they dont wont to step on toes any suggestions please.................... LaDonna