Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

I have been going to neursurgeon's and orthopedic docs for years and never had to deal with Residents. Going to a Rheumy is a new experience. One thing about the Doc I go to is She trains medical residents and they exam You first then She comes in and reviews what they found and what they would do if they ( the medical resident ) were the treating Doctor.

One question of several questions I have is would I be rude asking to see the Doctor only and skip the Resident ? I realize the Resident has to learn somehow but I'm tried of being pushed and pulled on and asked some many questions that by the time I get to my treating doctor I'm fatigued and just want to be left alone. Then there is the additional time spent in office seeing one or two residents before I get to see my Doctor who I went to see. My appointment today was three and half hours long and I left there with no answers as I went into mental fatigue after the first couple of "does this hurt" questions were performed.

I had a written list that i gave to one of the Residents and somehow ? i got confused/flustered and downright pissed off.

After my consult with my Rheumy and Her residents, i was given a couple of prescriptions I was told I needed yet more tests and told to wait in the waiting room while they scheduled the tests.( i guess ? )

I left, had enough, i suffer from fatigue and a whole lot of pain. My oxycotin was wearing off and i had to leave Her office before I cried out in anger.

Was I wrong ? I have no intention at this point on going back, her office called and spoke to my wife and told my wife I'm a interesting patient and the Doctor was sorry the appointment took so long and I should have spoken up.

I would have spoken up but nothin positive would have came out of my mouth.

I look forward to hearing from my PEER'S on whether I'm right or wrong? thanks

ShepherdTrainer

Post edited by: ShepherdTrainer, at: 09/01/2009 05:39 PM

Hi Sheperd

I think you have the right to see your doctor, without seeing the residents. The long appt. would make anyone fatigued. Also, your questions to the doctor are important and should be answered by your doctor, so yes I can see your point. I would probably talk to the doctor and just let him know that you prefer to just be seen by him without the resident doctors. I understand that they have to gain experience, but, there are many other patients that they can gain experience from.

My mother was treated in the hospital, and was assigned residents, I spoke to her doctor and requested that she only be seen by the board certified doctor and not the residents. My request was honored and no more residents came in to exam her.

Good Luck !

I get residents at my Neuro's. One is very bright. The other not so much. I have flat out told them when they start with the same questions about history that it's all in my chart and they should read it before seeing me. They get the hint. I am not a new patient every time I walk in and will not be treated like one. If they need to learn, they need to start with your chart before they walk in the room. I've only had to get rude once and that was when I had a migraine and just wanted the appt over with and the intern started by asking how long I've been getting them. Time to go, this could be a 2 hour appt. If my Rheumy started training interns I think I would flatout refused. It takes the certified docs years to figure things out. I'm not about to go thru all that again. I couldn't imagine having interns at the initial DX stage.

Speak up Shep. If you like this doc it can't hurt to say no more and see what she says. Don't worry if it's ever a bad day. They know people with chronic illness have them ALOT. At most, we deserve to feel we are getting the quality care we are paying for. You're the one going home to live in pain. They're just moving on to the next patient. Take charge of your care so you are comfortable with what your getting.

Great agvise. Thanks I thought it was just me taking out my anger on the wrong people. I gotta deal with this this morning so i don't go untreated. Shepherd

Hi Cella: thank you for the reply. I totally lost it don't remember much after i was "dismissed" to go wait even longer.

I think knowimg my personality I should just move on as I think what happened to me is border line unforgiveable. Rheumy informs me I'm in a lot of pain and discomfort and indirectly talks to the resident how I have fought attempts to put me on a morphine pump. Which i refuse i would rather deal with the source of the pain then cover it up even more. Then giving me scripts for antidepresants which i hate taking.i can write and write all the crap i went thru.

And totally ignoring me when i flat out told them i was so so tired --- the whole visit went bad. Perhaps I opened the Rheumy's eyes and other patients will have it better or my temper got the best of me anyway don't want to experience anything more with that Rheumy. Gonna do some research and find me a new Doc. Sheppie

Shep, as a patient you have the right to decline having a resident in the room with you. Actually, the doctor is supposed to ask if it's all right for them to be included in the exam. I have told Dr's no before, and they're fine with it.

You know yourself. If you're not comfortable with the rheumy, then find another. Remember, this will be a VERY lengthy relationship, so you want it to be one that you're comfortable with!!!!

Karen is totally correct on this. I have declined to have a resident 'in training' sit in on appointments many an occasion!

naomi

Yeah... phoooey on the residents in the room.. lol

I've been asked several times and always just say, sorry but no. I've never had a problem when I say no. There is nothing they can do about it.

Connie