Changes in training doctors?

excpa · ‎09-12-2015

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?

hoosieroriginal · ‎03-04-2012

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.

chrystaltree · ‎05-10-2010

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.

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

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.

DoneTryin · ‎03-09-2010

@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????????

hckynut · ‎03-10-2010

@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)

excpa · ‎09-12-2015

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!

Trinity11 · ‎11-16-2014

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.

Plaid Pants2 · ‎03-14-2015

@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.

excpa · ‎09-12-2015

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.