topic Re: Changes in training doctors? in Community Chat

Changes in training doctors?

excpa — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 21:21:02 GMT

Am I just unlucky or have there been some serious changes in the way doctors are trained? It's bad enough that they don't look at me (too busy typing away at their electronic data gathering devices) but they don't even hear what I say. In the last 2 or 3 years I have been asked: why do I think I'm going to die? (she seemed startled when I said everyone dies... an ex-medical provider); to reconsider and vacate my advanced directive (some people give up too soon and they need to let the doctor decide on all things, another ex-medical provider) and, when trying to get treatment for an injury to my finger, the attending physician only wanted to talk about my blood pressure (Direct Quote: " I have to cover my ass". The more she talked about my blood pressure, the higher it went.) I have heard about malpractice insurance, the needs of my medical insurance provider (not from them but from the physician) and have been prescribed an anti-depressant based on "some of my patients benefit from taking this". I stopped all medication about 3 years ago and don't notice much difference in my condition. I'm 77 years old, a condition some doctors seem to think is curable. I have decided that getting bad medical care is much worse than getting none at all. What's going on?

Re: Changes in training doctors?

hoosieroriginal — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 21:24:51 GMT

I know my doctor's nurse told me once that doctors don't care about the elderly anymore. I think she's right. They don't take us seriously.

Re: Changes in training doctors?

chrystaltree — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 21:43:57 GMT

It sounds like you are worst type of patient, they type that physicians dread having to deal with. There's nothing wrong with the doctors. They type on the tablets because with a patient like you, they are careful to document everything you say and everything they way. Because, you are trouble waiting to happen. Many docs type the notes immediately so they get everything in the record just as it happened. Some do it that way, some don't. Blood pressure checks are a required EVERY time a patient sees a physician and if there is a problem, it will and should be addressed. Even if you went in for sore toe. Because a sore toe won't kill you, high blood pressure will. I don't know if you are clinically depressed or not; many elderly people are. But you certainly are not high on life....lol It's not the medical care, it's you.

Re: Changes in training doctors?

151949 — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 21:36:40 GMT

The vast majority of patients seen by doctors now a days are senior citizens. Younger people are healthier and don't usually require much in the way of health care. Most ladies these days see their gyne to get whatever birth control they need and a quick physical there and , unless they get bronchitis or something - that is the only doctor they see all year. Many men go for years without ever seeing any doctor unless they get an injury. Then , unfortunately, our senior years come along and our health starts to fail. We get arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, hearing and vision issues, TIAs, back pain and the lists go on & on.Any doctor who doesn't want to deal with senior people had better become a pediatrician or an obstetrician.

Re: Changes in training doctors?

DoneTryin — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 21:42:48 GMT

@chrystaltree

@chrystaltree wrote:
It sounds like you are worst type of patient, they type that physicians dread having to deal with. There's nothing wrong with the doctors. They type on the tablets because with a patient like you, they are careful to document everything you say and everything they way. Because, you are trouble waiting to happen. Many docs type the notes immediately so they get everything in the record just as it happened. Some do it that way, some don't. Blood pressure checks are a required EVERY time a patient sees a physician and if there is a problem, it will and should be addressed. Even if you went in for sore toe. Because a sore toe won't kill you, high blood pressure will. I don't know if you are clinically depressed or not; many elderly people are. But you certainly are high on life....lol It's not the medical care, it's you.

What????????

Re: Changes in training doctors?

hckynut — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 21:49:13 GMT

@hoosieroriginal wrote:
I know my doctor's nurse told me once that doctors don't care about the elderly anymore. I think she's right. They don't take us seriously.

You obviously need a different doctor, and your present doctor has a nurse that should be fired. Not sure at what age a person magically becomes, " elderly", could you help me out with that Age Scale and Classification?

hckynut(john)

Re: Changes in training doctors?

excpa — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 21:52:50 GMT

I AM the worst kind of patient. I ask questions and listen to answers. I probably won't be posting here long... but not for the reasons you think. You get what you deserve, so i expect you will be getting poor, over-medicated and ignored while your "caregivers" continue to abuse you. Sorry folks!

Re: Changes in training doctors?

Trinity11 — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 22:03:42 GMT

Having seen a few inept physicians in my lifetime, unfortunately, you have to schedule "consultations" before finding a good fit. Question the doctor and find out how he or she treats a patient. If you notice a distinct inability to answer your concerns, then schedule another until you are satisfied with their treatment plan.

Hypertension is called the "silent killer" for good reason. Few people feel any symptoms until it is late in the disease. I would suggest seeing a few different physicians until you find one you are comfortable with.

I wish you my best. It took me quite a few "consults" before I found a good fit. However, your life is in jeopardy if you postpone this.

Re: Changes in training doctors?

Plaid Pants2 — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 22:08:32 GMT

@excpa wrote:
I AM the worst kind of patient. I ask questions and listen to answers. I probably won't be posting here long... but not for the reasons you think. You get what you deserve, so i expect you will be getting poor, over-medicated and ignored while your "caregivers" continue to abuse you. Sorry folks!

Your comment about getting poor care, being overly medicated, and abused by caregivers, was highly uncalled for.

You don't know ANYTHING about anybody's life here, so for you to say that, speaks volumes about your character and the type of patient that doctors dread.

And stopping your medication when you have high blood pressure, is extremely unwise.

There is a reason why they call it the silent killer.

Re: Changes in training doctors?

excpa — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 22:10:31 GMT

On medication, my bp dropped to 80/40 and the doctors thought this was wonderful. I kept passing out, so I stopped it. It is now 120-130/80-85. There are a remarkable number of lawyers making fortunes from meds. I think the real silent killer is RAGE. Why are people so willing to follow? I am not depressed, I'm angry. No one really listens but everyone judges. I feel silly for having posted anything on thuis board. i should have known better... and I do.

Re: Changes in training doctors?

Jacie — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 22:13:42 GMT

I have what I consider some of the best doctors ever. They listen, understand and are not dismissive of me, But then I am a good patient as well.

When my long time physician retired, I was referred to another in the same office and it was quickly apparent we were not going to do well together, we didn't click. I then "consulted" with the intake area and addressed my needs, they referred me to someone they thought would work well with me. They were right.

I am not rude to deal with, I listen to them, am participative in my care and the decisions that are made. I am on time, don't routinely cancel, follow directions and if needed, take medication as I am supposed to.

Once, my doctor was running late, which was unusual for her. She apologized profusely. I told her I was fine with it, someone needed her care a bit longer that day and I hope someday she'd do the same for me if I needed it.

She respects me and I her. It is a two-way street. If you are not happy sometimes the onus is on you to get it changed.

Re: Changes in training doctors?

Plaid Pants2 — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 22:21:18 GMT

@excpa wrote:
On medication, my bp dropped to 80/40 and the doctors thought this was wonderful. I kept passing out, so I stopped it. It is now 120-130/80-85. There are a remarkable number of lawyers making fortunes from meds. I think the real silent killer is RAGE. Why are people so willing to follow? I am not depressed, I'm angry. No one really listens but everyone judges. I feel silly for having posted anything on thuis board. i should have known better... and I do.

Well, if the "real killer" is rage, and you are angry, then the simple solution is to chill, because by your own words, you are doing yourself a grave disservice by being angry.

Re: Changes in training doctors?

terriebear — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 22:29:20 GMT

@excpa wrote:
Am I just unlucky or have there been some serious changes in the way doctors are trained? It's bad enough that they don't look at me (too busy typing away at their electronic data gathering devices) but they don't even hear what I say. In the last 2 or 3 years I have been asked: why do I think I'm going to die? (she seemed startled when I said everyone dies... an ex-medical provider); to reconsider and vacate my advanced directive (some people give up too soon and they need to let the doctor decide on all things, another ex-medical provider) and, when trying to get treatment for an injury to my finger, the attending physician only wanted to talk about my blood pressure (Direct Quote: " I have to cover my ass". The more she talked about my blood pressure, the higher it went.) I have heard about malpractice insurance, the needs of my medical insurance provider (not from them but from the physician) and have been prescribed an anti-depressant based on "some of my patients benefit from taking this". I stopped all medication about 3 years ago and don't notice much difference in my condition. I'm 77 years old, a condition some doctors seem to think is curable. I have decided that getting bad medical care is much worse than getting none at all. What's going on?

I honestly do not think you are unlucky. I do think you need to find a new doctor. One that will at least give you eye contact. But... you will find that almost all doctors today are going paperless, and your records are on computers. It sounds like you do need to address your high blood pressure. Your finger injury sounded minor to your b/p, but if sounds like you refuse to see this. It also sounds like you are indeed in need of an antidepressent. It has been recommended, but you refuse. You have admited you asked doctors about dying and admit they are "startled", and you have been asked to vacate your advanced directive. And yes, I think it is early to have one, when women now live to the average age of 87. You also have dropped all your meds. And it sounds like this was not a wise thing to do. You say it has made not difference, but your post says otherwise. These are all classic signs of depression. I truely hope you can find a doctor that you are comfortable with and let him/her help you.

Re: Changes in training doctors?

Noel7 — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 22:33:16 GMT

You might want to ask around to see if anyone can recommend a good doctor, and then drop the one you have now. If your doctor does something you don't appreciate, say so.

I went to a couple of appointments with my husband and it was obvious to me he didn't have a good doctor. Luckily he was willing to transfer to mine.

I have a team of doctors and I really like them all so much. I had an appointment a few days ago with my asthma guy. The others wanted to see if allergies were a problem for me. He spent an HOUR with me, asking a lot of questions and letting me respond to them for as long as I needed. He explained every variable in depth and also made me feel better about it all. And he took a heck of a lot of blood tests which are giving us all valuable information.

My doctors correspond with each other by email, and they email me, too.

ps The best part of the appt. was when he told me I didn't have to get rid of my cats. I hate it when allergy MDs make that rule for you when they don't even know what you are allergic to, if anything.

Re: Changes in training doctors?

Ms X — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 22:40:26 GMT

@excpa wrote:
On medication, my bp dropped to 80/40 and the doctors thought this was wonderful. I kept passing out, so I stopped it. It is now 120-130/80-85. There are a remarkable number of lawyers making fortunes from meds. I think the real silent killer is RAGE. Why are people so willing to follow? I am not depressed, I'm angry. No one really listens but everyone judges. I feel silly for having posted anything on thuis board. i should have known better... and I do.

Maybe a medical person can comment, but I don't think any competent doctor would find a BP of 80/40 good. It is dangerously low and puts an older person in danger of falling, it seems to me.

I really like my primary care doctor. She's a colleague of my sister, so I've used my sister as a go-between at times. My sister is very sensible and respectable and there have been times when I've wondered whether the other doctors there think of me as her crazy sister, but I don't think they think of me at all beyond the fleeting times when I'm there. Plus, I don't care what they think as long as I get what I want.

It is easier when one has a doctor in the family to smooth the way. Try to find someone who listens to you or try to get your present doctor(s) to listen. It's important to have a doctor who works well with onself, so try to get your point across and make your concerns known.

Re: Changes in training doctors?

ROMARY — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 22:42:23 GMT

It's been said, by a couple of docs that we know, that 'sometimes' with senior people it's better to have blood pressure a bit higher (in other words, not too-too low). Prevents fainting spells, etc.

Re: Changes in training doctors?

Zita — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 22:46:42 GMT

@chrystaltree What an unnecessarily rude and unsympathetic response! Whatever happened to civility and good manners? We don't need you to tell us what's wrong with us,that's for sure.

Re: Changes in training doctors?

Kalli — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 22:51:22 GMT

I've been to different drs over the years, some I clicked with, some not so much. Whenever possible, I try to go to the ones who make me feel like they care.

The exception to this was when I found a lump while doing a self-exam, I went to the specialist who is highly lauded in my area. The guy was rude but it was more important to me to have his knowledge and I didn't care that his bedside manner was lacking. (Funny thing is that since that appt years ago, my DH struck up a friendship with the guy at the local golf course. A few weeks ago he saw that dr at a crowded restaurant from across the room. DH asked if I wanted to meet his golf buddy. I declined, all the while thinking, I've already met him and have no interest in seeing him again. haha)

Anyway, you have choices most of the time. Maybe try to find a different dr, one with whom you feel comfortable.

Re: Changes in training doctors?

DiAnne — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 22:52:38 GMT

@hckynut

We had a group discussion about the word elderly at a foodbank with several of the volunteers. The general consensus was at age 70 you were officially elderly.

Re: Changes in training doctors?

Sunshine Kate — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 22:55:53 GMT

@hoosieroriginal wrote:
I know my doctor's nurse told me once that doctors don't care about the elderly anymore. I think she's right. They don't take us seriously.

I would immediately change my doctor. If he/she doesn't care about the elderly, it's time for them to get out of practicing medicine.