Of Doctor Dick Turpin, MedicalTesting and Telephone Tag

[gehayi]

Today was a day that illustrated, more than anything, that one of my doctors is out of touch with reality.

Comments

[sp23]

I think a doctor who is afraid to touch his patients needs to find a new profession stat! Accounting might be a good fit.

I hope you find a much better doctor than this a-hole.

[gehayi]

I hope so, too. This guy is horrible. (And would someone please tell me how a doctor can disbelieve in a medically documented condition?)

[morri_delrae]

My money is on this - dr Turpin probably crammed something for an exam in med school twenty years ago (maybe with some sort of misconception thrown in the middle) and is the sort of person who doesn't feel like changing their mind, ever. We had a professor at uni who somehow came to the conclusion that antimatter had mass, and couldn't be persuaded otherwise. He kept asking this questions to students during exams and failing all those who said no. Evetually his grad students started to hoover outside his door during exam time and instruct students to please, for the love of jeez, say yes, unless they felt like flunking.

I'm so happy that you didn't have to spend the money after all and got a new doctor to boot. Hope it all goes well from now on.

[gehayi]

It is appalling. It really is.

He treats every patient like this, too. Here are some conversations I've overheard. Imagine every one of his lines dripping with contempt:

Him: You eat too much.

Old woman: I haven't eaten in two days, doctor.

Him: Then why are your legs fat?

Old woman: Because I have lymphedema and diabetes.

Him: You just think you do.

***

Him: Why aren't you wearing a shoe on this foot?

Old man: Because I can't get a shoe on it. It's swollen. It hurts.

Him: You probably just wrenched your ankle. I want you to walk every day. It'll make the swelling go down.

Old man: I have a broken hip. I can't walk.

Him: Well, if you don't WANT to help yourself, there's not much I can do.

***

See what I mean? Awful man. AWFUL. But I've always managed to get the treatment I needed out of him...until yesterday.

[gehayi]

I'm planning on contacting the hospital today to see if there IS a hospital patient advocate. I don't know if there is or not.

This man sucks as a doctor. It's like being treated by Frank Burns.

Do you know, I've actually had arguments with him about whether or not lymphedema exists? I mentioned once that it's listed in the Merck Manual--which it is--and he nearly jumped down my throat. "How do you know that? Do YOU own a copy?"

"No. But it's available online."

Exactly why that made him furious, I don't know, but it did. And that was some time ago. But he still insists on treating me as if I don't have the disease that I have.

I do know that I will not be going back to the Wound Clinic until I have a different doctor. I cannot trust this one. And I don't.

[anderyn]

I have had the test for blood clots (twice) due to unexplained severe leg pain, and it's ridiculous that it costs that much (basically, it's an ultrasound of your leg veins, which doesn't even require you to disrobe if you wear a skirt). Mine were negative, but at least my doctor had a reason for sending me -- I'm overweight, I hadn't fallen or done anything to cause the pain, and his examination hadn't ruled it out.

But, yeah. This doctor sounds like a fuckwad of the first order. I cannot imagine him not even doing a physical exam. Geesh. Is he supposed to just diagnose based on telepathy?

[gehayi]

I'm overweight, but that's pretty much my normal build. And I've lost a fair amount of weight lately (I'm eating better). Also, not experiencing any pain now--two months ago, yes, but not now.

This doctor sounds like a fuckwad of the first order. I cannot imagine him not even doing a physical exam.

He never does.

Geesh. Is he supposed to just diagnose based on telepathy?

He diagnoses based on his own prejudices. It's rather maddening.

The test doesn't sound too bad. I've had ultrasounds and MRIs done before and they don't bother me. But the price being what it is and the fact that the doctor didn't even determine if there was a need...that's not acceptable.

[anderyn]

I saw what you quoted about him up above, and he's a total idiot who ought to be disbarred from the medical profession for total stupidity and gross malpractice. God almighty, can't anyone where he works see what a fuckwad he is? (I mean someone higher up, who could discipline him, since I'm *sure* the nurses know quite well.)

[kriz1818]

Here's the page you need, if you haven't found it yet (though I certainly hope you've been directed to the right place by now!):

http://www.harthosp.org/PatientVisitors/PatientGuide/PatientRightsResponsibilities/default.aspx

Specifically,

Express a complaint or grievance by contacting the Patient Relations Department at 860-545-1400 or extension 5-1400.
If not satisfied, contact the Department of Health AND the organization that accredits hospitals

[gehayi]

Thank you so much. No, I was not aware of Medicare Advocacy or the Patient Relations Department. Or the link you tried to send me a couple of days ago, for that matter.

[kriz1818]

I hope the Patient Relations Department actually tries to help! Please keep us posted. I'm sure we all hope to hear of disciplinary action.