WTF?

[samhexum]

My doctor just called me-- ON NEW YEAR'S DAY-- to give me some test results (some things I have to address, but nothing earth-shattering).

 

I asked him why he's working today and he said "I know, I'm an idiot."

 

Definitely NOT who I expected to be calling me today.

[+ nycman]

He went to medical school....ergo....he's an antisocial dork.

 

Grin

[+ sync]

I asked him why he's working today and he said "I know, I'm an idiot."

 

The physician I have been going to for the past 24 years is the same kind of "idiot." He is the most patient-oriented medical professional I have ever encountered. I accompanied one of my brothers to his numerous medical appointments during his final days, and none of his medical contacts came close to rendering the personal attention and follow-up I receive. The physician I go to still makes house-calls. I was concerned that leasing-renewal negotiations may force him into retirement or relocation, but he told me during a recent visit that his lease was extended for another 20 years at a very reasonable rate and that he intends to be there until the "end."

[+ FreshFluff]

My doctor just called me-- ON NEW YEAR'S DAY-- to give me some test results (some things I have to address, but nothing earth-shattering).

 

I asked him why he's working today and he said "I know, I'm an idiot."

 

Definitely NOT who I expected to be calling me today.

 

Glad the results were ok. He probably expected to get your VM. I’m guessing he wanted to get the calls out of the way so that he can start the week fresh.

[LADoug1]

Probably the doctor considered communication with you more important than a holiday. I’m not bothered by the fact he did this. Unusual yes. Caring and concerned yes also.

[+ robear]

Sounds like a great doc! Gotta say I'm loving electronic communications in this realm. I log onto the patient portal and get test results and doctor comments as soon as they're available. No phone calls, unless the doc considers it necessary. Very efficient and informative. I always hated, "I'll call you if anything's wrong."

[+ sniper]

Can I get your doc's number? I tried a new practice for primary care and it turns out they're all idiots. Nurse calls supposedly with test results leave message asking to call back, then I call back, get nobody, but no ability to leave voicemail. I keep calling till I get a person and they say the doctor still hasn't reviewed my results.

ugh.

[OneFinger]

Probably the doctor considered communication with you more important than a holiday. I’m not bothered by the fact he did this. Unusual yes. Caring and concerned yes also.

I've had my primary care doc call me on holidays, weekends, and other "unusual" times. I really have appreciated his care and concern. Wish all my other DRs did the same thing.

[+ GregM]

Good Drs that honestly care are super hard to find. I've really lucked out. Both my primary and onocoligist are fucking awesome ass chicks! Oh I hope that wasn't sexist calling them chicks. Fuck it! During a 9 day stint at the hospital (a fight I knew I couldn't win) my primary called to check up on me and told me to call her if I needed anything. And my onocoligist saw as I was getting weaker greeted me with big hugs and did what she could to keep me out of the hospital. She heard through the grapevine I am an unpleasent and strongly independent hospital guest lol. I feel comfortable with each Dr that I can be frank and honest about how I am feeling without being judged and feel they have my best interest at heart.

 

Hugs,

Greg

[+ Charlie]

My spouse's doctor called him on a Sunday evening, and told him to call the office first thing Monday morning to get the doctor's receptionists to schedule him immediately with a vascular surgeon. It was a good thing he did--his carotid artery turned out to be 99% blocked. I asked the doctor what he was doing in the office on a Sunday, and he said it was the best time for him to carefully study patients' test results.

[+ Just Sayin]

My spouse's doctor called him on a Sunday evening, and told him to call the office first thing Monday morning to get the doctor's receptionists to schedule him immediately with a vascular surgeon. It was a good thing he did--his carotid artery turned out to be 99% blocked. I asked the doctor what he was doing in the office on a Sunday, and he said it was the best time for him to carefully study patients' test results.

 

for some professionals, Sunday is a time to get caught up and get ready for the week; for the past 10 years, I have taken Fridays and Saturdays off, then work on Sunday so that I can do thoughtful work without interruptions; it works out quite well

[Islesguy]

I have a doctor who gave me his personal cell so I can reach any time I need something. This was after I ended up the hospital after an emergency room visit a number of years ago. We were told he had been contacted that I was going to be admitted (this was around Independence Day). I spent two days in the care of med students (dumb as bricks) never being seen by an attending nor my doc. If not for him showing up on the floor two days later and noticing my name on the board, who knows how long it would have gone on. And this was with me constantly being assured my doctor knew I was in the hospital since I constantly asked why he hadn't come by or at least called. The entire floor could hear him screaming at everyone working at the time.

 

Never, and I mean never, go to the hospital in June or July. Med students usually start then and you don't want to risk your life.

[samhexum]

Well, Dr. WTF is no longer my doctor.

 

The insurance company I had last year went out of business after December. I spent hours researching & calling the NY State exchange and found out that only Emblem Health would be accepted by my 3 main doctors. Then I spent more time on the phone with Emblem Health confirming that all would. Then I called at least the other 2 (don't remember if I called WTF's office) and was told that they would accept it.

 

So yesterday I called Dr. WTF's office to get referrals to all the doctors he wanted me to see (plus a colonoscopy I have scheduled). Today at 5:05 PM their referral person called me to tell me that Dr. WTF isn't accepting ANY plan from the exchange, and none of my other doctors (who are all part of the same large medical group) will be accepting any either. And of course, since it was after 5, I couldn't call any other doctors to confirm.

 

Now I have to find a whole new set of doctors. But at least my insurance premiums are still fairly reasonable!

 

:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

[+ nycman]

Now I have to find a whole new set of doctors. But at least my insurance premiums are still fairly reasonable!

I understand your frustration. My company spent weeks calling all our employees’

physicians one by one and confirming who took what insurance. We finally found a

plan that about 95% of them took....by the time we finished enrolling everyone

and their families....that number had dropped to less than 20% acceptance.

 

We gave up. We got catastrophic insurance and simply covered everyone’s “routine”

care out of pocket. It’s cheaper and when you’re paying cash....you get much

better physicians caring for you. Unfortunatly it’s true....you get what you

pay for. And guess what...EVERY physician was in our “cash plan”....lol

 

If paying the least amount possible is your goal...you will get socialized Walmart care...plain and simple.

[P Gren]

I understand your frustration. My company spent weeks calling all our employees’

physicians one by one and confirming who took what insurance. We finally found a

plan that about 95% of them took....by the time we finished enrolling everyone

and their families....that number had dropped to less than 20% acceptance.

 

We gave up. We got catastrophic insurance and simply covered everyone’s “routine”

care out of pocket. It’s cheaper and when you’re paying cash....you get much

better physicians caring for you. Unfortunatly it’s true....you get what you

pay for. And guess what...EVERY physician was in our “cash plan”....lol

 

If paying the least amount possible is your goal...you will get socialized Walmart care...plain and simple.

Universal public insurance ensures every doctor gets paid, without chasing down patients, and every patient gets high standard care in the most economical way. It's why Canadian health outcomes are far better than the USA - longer life expectancies, lower infant mortality, lower rates of obesity, lower stress, no personal bankruptcies do to medical bills, lower prescription costs etc. Being able to focus on care through a public option, is a better way than private insurance's focus on maximizing profits. The Canadian system is more efficient.

Edited January 10, 2018 by P Gren

[samhexum]

A hematologist Dr. WTF wanted me to see (my white blood cell count's been high for 25+ years... my friend has the same situation) WILL take my insurance, despite the fact that he's in the same medical group (but not practice) as Dr. WTF. Alas, I confirmed that my pulmonologist (I've seen him since 2005) WON'T.