Laurie and Doctor abandonment

[Guest guest]

Laurie,

WOW! You write so well and so clearly. This issue is indeed a tough one.

I agree that the doctors are not really personally involved with us

in terms of their decisions to take part or not to take part in our

health and possible positive outcomes. They will only work up to a

point that their HMO will support them (which is not much, really)

and then, reaching that point, just let us go into the wind. I did

get a good doctor after I was abandoned. I have had to hold his hand

through so much as I know that this is not his bailiwick and his

experience is limited. As a matter of fact, he would not prescribe me

the current medications that I am on until they were finally (after

over 9 years!) given to me by an ER doctor (Fentanyl duragesic

patches-75's). Only then was he willing to prescribe it and,

unfortunately, refill it after too much hassle since he did not want

to be under the scrutiny of the Medical Board. He is a very nice man

without the backbone needed to really go to bat for me. However, he

is the best that I have had so far (after 3 other doctors) and I just

can't let him go as I fear that I can only get someone worse as the

odds favor that the most. I finally got a doctor ONLY for the purpose

of keeping up my Fentanyl supply. I only have to make ONE call

(instead of 3 or 4 each day for three or four days only to get it

LATE!) and all is done.

It is the PROCESS that kills us. Our doctors are relegated to forms

processors and don't want to fill out any more than they have to.

Doctors work 8-hour days, rotating every few months with hospital

duty, and want to keep it that way. They are overworked with

clientele and paper only makes the days longer for them. THEY have to

follow the PROCESS of their HMO employer. Doctors no longer have TIME

to provide CARE. Now they call " care " by a new word, " services. "

" Care, " by definition, is indeterminent while " services " are, by

definition, limited in duration. THAT is the difference that so fouls

our souls!

Well, enough for now.

Anyse

[Guest guest]

Dear Anyse,

The real truth is the doctors really need to learn as well as the HMO;s

is they work for you. You pay the HMO's, and you pay for the doctors

services. That really burns me up. If not for us the HMO's and doctors

would have no jobs. They need for people to stand up to them and

say " hey doc you work for me who I pay for my insurance and not the

insurance companies.

Steamed,

Janet