I went for several years to a WIC clinic with a nurse and several years to a University Family clinic with a nurse. In each case it really was slower spaced and they knew my name and all about my family. They talked to me about my conditions in depth and were very accepting of questions. The nurses would do whatever they could but would refer out as needed for things like seperated sacrums, dislocated hips, and broken fingers (that’s my husband!). More time means less mistakes and that you know your patients better. That seems to be better medicine in my mind at least.

As I understand it, and as you guys keep saying, most of you got into to help people. If you aren’t helping people than something is wrong and the system needs some work.

Funny joke: What did it say on the hypochondriac’s tombstone?
“Do you believe me NOW?”

Worst thing I have ever heard a doctor say:
A pediatric oncologist: ” I F**ing hate kids but these kids are all so sick they don’t make much noise.”

I guess if I had discovered at a later date that I had coeliac disease or a gastric ulcer then I might be able to run around proclaiming that the doctors should have diagnosed it earlier – that all the symptoms were there. Except that the diagnosis wasn’t obvious (or correct, although I had appropriate symptoms) and there was no reason to investigate further. Unless I was overly concerned or litigious, in which case further investigation may have been warranted for medico-legal reasons. I refused the gastroscopy because I’m a doctor and I personally judged that the low yield of the procedure did not warrant me undertaking it. I didn’t get too fussed by the repeated suggestions that I wasn’t taking the iron tablets because I know that most people don’t take their tablets as prescribed. It was the most likely reason (albeit incorrect).

I haven’t bothered visiting my GP in the last year to tell her about my irregular periods. Perhaps I am developing premature ovarian failure (POF). The symptoms are all there. But I think more likely it is related to my overnight shifts, irregular meals, weight loss and the stress of being a surgical registrar. I know another female surgical registrar who has menstruated four times in the last 3 years of her training. Tell me, am I being irresponsible in not going to my GP and asking her to investigate me for POF? Should I and my colleague go and have hormonal tests? We know we’re not pregnant, we’ve checked to make sure.

I’m sorry that you feel your concerns and symptoms weren’t taken seriously, Kitty. It’s unfortunate that you feel your condition wasn’t diagnosed or managed appropriately. Rare conditions are difficult to pick and it’s impossible to make every patient happy. It’s best to avoid blaming people. Blaming people doesn’t make your life better.

if you pay for a general contractor he/she will organize the home repairs . The general contractor is paid to organize the subcontractors to come in ,at the right time ,to do their part. You will not find a general contractor who will agree to do as much as they can and when they are stuck call in subcontractors to help.
Contractors might be doing 10-20 projects/month

GP’s are asked to not only to organize referalls but as well are expected to take care of a myriad of health problems in about 400/ patients/month. Many of these health problems are urgent, can be life threatening if not acted on quickly and generally occur without warning.
GP’s come in at midnight ,take care of people in their hour of need. Contractors sleep well.

You might do well to hire a physician and pay them like you would a contractor. The physician would not actually care for you but advise you who to see for your problem. I think this would add some extra costs but you get more input and advice before embarking on a medical issue. No insurance company will pay for such a service, so you will have to pay cash for this.

But what do you do when your electrical problem causes your hotwater heater to malfunction, which in turn spills water all over the floor, causing severe damage to the carpets in the basement and leaks through the foundation widening a pre-existing crack. The electrical problem also causes the attic to catch fire. Now you need a carpenter, a plumber, someone for the foundation, a fireman, a flood cleanup service, an exterminator, and an electrician.

In my case my electrician refused to admit the electrical problem and kept sending me to the carpenter than the plumber then the exterminator, who all said it was an electrical problem and they couldn’t help.

What you need isn’t a handy man now, it’s a general contracter to organize this show and keep it moving. Or I guess you could just move…

your body is your house. if your know you have an electrical problem you can call your local handyman or the certified electrician. it is your choice.

My new endo admitted that he had no idea what was wrong with me and was totally baffled. He listened attentively and made suggestions where he could. He ADMITTED a lack of knowledge. He even threw his hands in the air! I think I love this guy just a little.
You can see how much he really wants to help when he sits in the room. He smiles and is honest. Most importantly he is open to ideas and suggestions. I told him I have found about five other people like me on the (evil source of inaccurate knowledge) internet. He wanted to know what thier drs did. I said the same thing mine have been doing which gives us all a null answer. Next week I think I’ll tell him what I think maybe wrong-in 45 seconds or less of course. Today we compromised on a treatment plan. He ACCEPTED I might have some knowledge. He TRUSTED that my symptoms were real.

I guess Dr. disgruntled, that it bugs me, the thing about not knowing how to apply knowledge you find to your own health. It seems that likely with half an hour of time a patient can gain a more “deep” level of knowledge than their GP about a health condition by sitting in front of a computer. The patient lacks the broad knowledge of an MD, but that doesn’t mean the knowledge they have is incorrect.

Should the MD begin to serve as a health consultant as opposed to a health director in the future?

Just to get you into trouble–the RE I worked for previously always uses estrogen patches for recipients (3-4 patches every 2-3 days). She believes it keeps the blood levels steadier than oral estrogen. Last year I think 9 out of 10 of her DE clients made it to transfer of care to an OB. Have fun bringing that up at your consultation!

DD