Of course, the majority of doctors are concerned, efficient and careful
but: “Any instances of abuse, manipulation, gaslighting, delaying diagnoses — those are reportable events that providers need to know about,” Dr. Mitchell said. “Doctors need to be held accountable.”
Posted by hiker53 (Member # 6046) on :
Ann—-One has to have a subscription to read the articles from the New York Times. I was unable to read it.
Posted by Ann-Ohio (Member # 44364) on :
Sorry, I can post some of the major points here.
"What are the signs of gaslighting?
Gaslighting can be subtle and isn’t always easy to spot. When seeking medical care, experts recommend watching for the following red flags.
Your provider continually interrupts you, doesn’t allow you to elaborate and doesn’t appear to be an engaged listener.
Your provider minimizes or downplays your symptoms, for example questioning whether you have pain.
Your provider refuses to discuss your symptoms.
Your provider will not order key imaging or lab work to rule out or confirm a diagnosis.
You feel that your provider is being rude, condescending or belittling.
Your symptoms are blamed on mental illness, but you are not provided with a mental health referral or screened for such illness."
Sound familiar???
Posted by Ann-Ohio (Member # 44364) on :
Really good suggestions here.
My favorite; If you aren’t sure where to start, Dr. Mitchell recommended asking your doctor this: “If you were me, what questions would you ask right now?”
What can you do to advocate for yourself?
Keep detailed notes and records.
“What are your symptoms? When do you feel those symptoms?
Do you notice any triggers? If you have pain, what does it feel like?
Does it wax and wane, or is it constant?
What days do you notice this pain?”
In addition to your notes, keep records of all of your lab results, imaging, medications and family medical history.
Ask questions.
Then ask some more. Prepare a list of questionsthat you would like to ask ahead of your appointment, and be prepared to ask other questions as new information is presented.
If you aren’t sure where to start, Dr. Mitchell recommended asking your doctor this: “If you were me, what questions would you ask right now?”
Bring a support person.
Do you want them to take notes and be a second set of ears? Or do you primarily need them there for emotional support?
Focus on your most pressing issue. .... jot down bullet points that concisely outline the reason for your visit so that you can communicate with your doctor efficiently.
Pin down next steps.
Tell your provider that you would like to understand three things:
the best guess as to what is happening;
plans for diagnosing or ruling out different possibilities; and treatment options, depending on what is found.
If you’re still being ignored, what are your options?
Switch providers.
If possible, try to get an in-network referral from your current doctor. For example, you can say: “Thank you for your time, but I would really like to seek another opinion on this. Could you refer me to another specialist in your area?”
If you don’t feel comfortable asking your doctor for a referral, you can also speak with a patient liaison or nurse manager. Alternatively, you can ask friends and family, or call your insurance company to find someone in-network.
Reframe the conversation.
If you decide to stick with your current provider, but that person doesn’t appear to be listening,
[Say]“Let’s hit the pause button here, because we have a disconnect. You’re not hearing what I’m saying. Let me start again.”
Or, alternatively: “I’ve been having these symptoms for three months. Can you help me find what is wrong? What can we do to figure this out together?”
Look to support groups.
There are support groups for a multitude of conditions that may provide useful resources and information.
Posted by aklnwlf (Member # 5960) on :
Here's a doozy Ann!
I had a horrible Infectious disease doc from a country in Africa who I could barely understand but managed since my Mom is from a foreign country also.
He compared our ages stating the obvious of being relatively the same age but that he was a doctor.
He continued to put me down and my course of treatment that I handed him from my LLMD.
It was a teleappointment with my LLMD and once he was on the phone the African doc realized within 3 seconds he was out of his league and kowtowed and simperingly agreed to everything that was told to him, albeit in a very formal and professional way from my LLMD.
Got my 4 months of IV treatment and very rarely think of that idiot of an ID doc.
I did consider making a voodoo doll of him but...eh...why waste my time!
Posted by Silverwolf (Member # 9196) on :
Yup,
Been there, My Cardio doc said of the test that put me in the hospital in 2017, Tho' we found out about your heat problem thru this test. You are allergic to part of the chemicals involved [sadly, they were not noted,or written down so who knows which chemicals].
Next Doctor:' you should have the test again, it didn't actually cause the heart problem.' Me: well fid out which chemicals I was allergic too [they cant w/o danger]. Doctor : Well I am a surgeon and teacher... so I know what I'm talking about. Me Doc D. said not to do this test again... So NO!!!
Or an associate to the surgeon who did my Quintuple bypass' your Xiphoid is displaced,but we know where it is just get used to the pain.
There is a simple surgery that stops the problem , but the DRs, wouldn't have gotten paid what they wished....so just get used to the pain.[my apologies as I cant remember if it is Xiphoid or Ziphoid .] It is a small arrow shaped piece of bone [or in my case, more hard cartilage than bone] at the base of the sternum. It is like a loose tooth wiggling in your mouth, but held on by a strand. In this case the cartilage bone piece moves,and swells and knots up in my chest.
Sometimes Docs think they are GOD and they aint! Jus Silverwolfi here
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)