Wellness

[CelticCrafter]

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@Carmie wrote:

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@febe1 wrote:

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@Winkk wrote:

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@febe1 wrote:

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@CelticCrafter wrote:

To me it sounds like those intrusive questions they ask during that annual waste of time Medicare Wellness visit.

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I agree. I've been asked all kind of "instrusive" questions at the unnecessary "wellness" visit. I can't believe some of the questions asked. 

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@febe1 .. I don't think these "unnecessary wellness" visits are mandatory.  Just don't go.  I skip years.

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I'm on Medicare and my physician said I "had" to do an annual Wellness. I thought I should be able to make that decision.

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You do not have to get a wellness Medicare exam.  Very often doctors will do one while you are there for something else, like a 6 month visit.

My doctor just send me the questions in line to answer and then I am asked to draw a clock in the office.

For this,the doctor gets paid over $200.  That's why they want you to get the exam.  It's a money maker.

I often wonder what they do if you answer questions stating you are having financial difficulties, are afraid to live alone, have rugs you can trip over and not have enough food.

Are they going to help you?  I doubt it.

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@Carmie but it will become a permanent part of your file.

[tansy]

I don't see anything intrusive about a mental health question during a doctor's visit.  If not you, @CrazyKittyLvr2, it might help the next person.  

Now, being asked that question at the dentist's office or anywhere else, would be mildly annoying.  

[CrazyKittyLvr2]

@Tinkrbl44   I only go because I'm coerced into it.  No BP med refill if I'm not seen in person once a year.

I( get to see him next week to fill out a form for my cataract surgery,  I have to be cleared for a 10 minute light twilight sleep.  It's CYA.

[PA Mom-mom]

@CrazyKittyLvr2  DH and I both get those kinds of questions when we go for check-ups. I have to go for BP and he goes for blood sugar levels (they are good!). Neither of us cares about the questions, but it's annoying to fill out the forms every time and answer the doctor's questions. The hardest part is quantifying my level of pain on a daily basis. I have arthritis, and some days are much better than others. I just do my best to answer truthfully. No big deal.

On the other hand, when the kids were little we were asked about using seat belts and guns in the house. When we had sleepovers, parents would regularly ask if we had guns in the house. 

ETA: When our grandson was born, he was not allowed to leave the hospital until his carrier/car seat was checked, along with the connections for it in the car. 

[walkingal]

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@febe1 wrote:

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@Winkk wrote:

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@febe1 wrote:

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@CelticCrafter wrote:

To me it sounds like those intrusive questions they ask during that annual waste of time Medicare Wellness visit.

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I agree. I've been asked all kind of "instrusive" questions at the unnecessary "wellness" visit. I can't believe some of the questions asked. 

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@febe1 .. I don't think these "unnecessary wellness" visits are mandatory.  Just don't go.  I skip years.

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I'm on Medicare and my physician said I "had" to do an annual Wellness. I thought I should be able to make that decision.

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@febe1  Agree.  You don't have to do anything.  Including answering ridiculous questions, especially if they make you uncomfortable.  

[persiflage]

Maybe if you look beyond yourself.  There are seniors that might not see a medical provider without the wellness exam.  Seeing someone and interacting in person can help identify issues that otherwise would harm the health of the patient.  I am a senior but haven't gotten the draw a clock test yet, but if I could draw a clock one year and couldn't 5 years later I would appreciate the early detection of my decline provided through these tests.

At a routine appointment I don't find it unusual for the Dr. to inquire about my overall health and that includes my mental health.  

[CrazyKittyLvr2]

@Travone   You are right, you don't know me.  Rest assured I am quite content with my life.  As for being negitive, I'm not negitive, I'm realistic

[spiderw]

I wouldn't have a problem with my doctor asking questions about my mental health. I worked in a school system with troubled children and family dysfunction.  I n order for me to help or refer I had to ask questions.  For the most part the parent and youngster answered and in fact wanted to talk about their problems and issues, they just needed someone to listen to them.  While this isn't the same as going to a doctor and being asked about your mood, it may just result in a person getting help with the proper professional.  

[Citrine1]

I don't find any of my doctors questions "intrusive".  He is there to look out for my well being, both physically and mentally.  As another poster stated, a poor mood can have serious consequences on physical health.

With regards to "what do you do for fun?", doctors are interested in whether or not you are partaking in risky behavior such as drinking too much, having unprotected s e x, driving without your seatbelt, etc.  

As far as I'm concerned, all of those things are very much his business.  

[on the bay]

I've never gone for a physical or wellness visit.

Why? Because the reasons I actually go are for a problem or to get needed blood tests etc.

I agree that for some these questions might open up a needed discussion or hopefully some kind of support or help.

 A trusted dr who was my primary care told me that the wellness visits are actually to make money when I asked why go to them. So many things are checked when you go for any other reason.

And as for being on your file, one time I went for a respiratory infection. The dr asked me if I was under any stress lately. I told her my mother, my sister- in -law and nephew had recently died and I started to cry. She put in her notes and my "history" that I was chronically depressed! I had never been diagnosed with that before and I was really angry about that. I got it changed and taken off from another dr. That made me never want to share anything like that again at a regular drs visit for a specific problem. 

Like someone else said, If I want to go to a therapist or counselor, I'll do that.  Also especially for women, symptoms are so often attributed to are you stressed, depressed? etc., rather than really checking out other things extensively.

I think the intent of these questions is probably good, but yes are the problems really addressed or are they just filed into a chart.