Medical Corruption! Options

[trojan_libido]

Hey all, I thought I'd post here to vent my rage at a rotten doctor. Basically I asked for a complaint form immediately after coming out of his office prematurely as I refused to be made to feel like an idiot and felt his behaviour threatening. Given I suffer from high levels of anxiety that I was actually in the office for, I was shocked to say the least.

What's happened is the Dr. involved has got there first and complained about me (I'm extremely meek with anyone except friends), saying I used threatening behaviour towards him! Its clearly a tactic to block my complaint, so I want this guy to get his comeuppance. Imagine how elderly people feel (I'm 28 and came out his office with my bottom lip shaking!).

Here's my complaint:

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing this letter as a formal complaint about the treatment, or lack thereof, received at Ryhope health center from Dr. [Anon] and the associated UK wide health policies.

Relevant medical history:

Over the last 2 years I have been feeling increasingly ill with chest pain and probable associated anxiety attacks. I have been told that my symptoms are probably costochondritis and that no accurate diagnosis is possible. This does not help my anxiety as my Father has had a heart attack and my Mother has a heart murmur, which I believe I've inherited.

I also have a problem with indigestion which has continued for a few years, and have been receiving treatment for this. My father was diagnosed with Chrones disease recently, and some of the sypmtoms I've been getting mirror his own symptoms, with bowel habits becoming more erratic and irritible.

I've also had many many problems with my ears, with grommets early on and syringing commonplace throughout my life. Due to this I'm very susceptible to ear infections.

Previous treatments:

For my stomach/indigestion problem I was seen by a a doctor who was, I believe, a Sikh. I do not remember the name unfortunately, because I've not seen the same doctor more than twice in a row, and I've not seen my named doctor for a couple of years now. He was very helpful and I felt I'd been given the due care and attention to put my mind at rest. After checking for a common stomach bug, he gave me a treatment of 2 antibiotics and Lanzaprozole (to reduce stomach acid). Unfortunately for me it was not made clear that the Lanzaprozle was required to be used at the same time as the antibiotics, and I thought he'd only given me these to take care of any indigestion as and when it occurred.

On return to the Sikh Dr, he informed me I should have been taking these as a course alongside the antibiotics. We both decided to give the previous course another chance before going for an internal camera examination. I don't believe this was his fault, only an oversight on both our parts due to the rushed policies within GP offices.

Complaint over last examination:

Over the last week I've been feeling increasingly tense, anxious, and generally unwell. My chest pains have continued to increase in frequency and tenderness, and I've also been suffering strange hot prickly headaches and tension, with feelings of dizzyness and disorientation. Something new for me as I don't suffer from headaches. I've also been feeling the beginnings of an ear infection/ear ache.

I was due to come back to the doctors to forward the previous stomach problem, so I decided now was the time to raise these additional issues with the doctor.

As soon as I arrived into the office at approximately 4.05pm on Friday 12th June 2009, I knew it wasn't going to be a good session. The demeanour of Dr. [Anon] was rushed, abrupt and bordering on hostile.

He asked me what he could do for me, and I began explaining about the stomach bug and myself still having indigestion. I was told abruptly "You don't have a stomach bug!", and when I questioned that statement I was told "You've already been treated for it!". I asked if he could read my notes again because he'd see I'd been treated twice for it, and if he'd let me finish I'd explain why. I told him the first time I wasn't told it to take all three medications together (two of which can cause irregular heart patterns), and the second time I'd slipped up on the 'no alcohol' due to my sister committing suicide and leaving four kids. He said that was to be expected.

I then explained that the treatment I'd received was only 40% effective if done correctly, as explained by the Sikh doctor, and so his statement "You don't have a stomach bug!" was in opposition to both the previous doctor and the current medical knowledge on the treatment. He said he'd cut to the chase and get the camera examination under way, which is what I'd came for in the first place. Again, I felt extreme pressure to hurry up and get out. I did feel that if I'd seen the original Sikh doctor then it would have been quicker for all involved and much less hostile.

I asked him if he could quickly check my ears because of the feeling of an impending infection, and within one minute he told me it was fine but a bit waxy and had put me down for ear syringing. Again I was being pressured to get out the office, despite me only being in there for a few minutes.

After these two 'updates' on long standing health issues, I began to tell him about my main problem today, which was the increasing feeling of anxiety and... "Make another appointment!". I explained how difficult it was to get time off work and was met with borderline abuse about an allocated ten minute timeslot, which I'd like to add I'd only spent five minutes of, and also wouldn't have had to use that much if I'd seen the same doctor! I tried to raise my issue there and then with Dr. [Anon] but was told it was tough, I'd have to get another appointment to spent more time on that issue.

So now I'm feeling like I've wasted everyones time, and the feelings of annoyance with myself for not choosing my 'priority illness' carefully, and maybe I should not have updated the doctor on the ongoing stomach issue, or maybe I shouldn't have asked him to quickly check my ears... I had an anxiety attack right then, because of how quickly I'd been feeling ill recently and thinking how bad it may get over the next week.

Dr. [Anon] then spoke very fast explaining how he'd give me a form signed and to hand it in at the desk to speed it up. What he meant I do not know, and when I asked this, I was met with a raised voice stating "SINCE WORK IS SO IMPORTANT TO YOU...I...WILL...GIVE...YOU....THIS...AND...YOU...CAN...". Each word was drawn out for around two seconds, clearly showing annoyance and hostility, whilst being stared down at like I'd just deficated on his desk. It was so bad I felt intimidated enough to feel an adrenaline rush, and it was at this point I told him I wouldn't be spoken to like that and walked out of his office. I then asked for a complaints form and was met with a high pitched 'A COMPLAINT FORM?!' to further push my anxiety levels up.

I came into the doctors to be treated with respect, as I treat those in the profession with respect, as is requested on posters within the surgery itself! I came out in the middle of an anxiety attack, upset, and full of adrenaline and anger at the treatment I'd received.

Is it normal practice to speak to someone with high levels of anxiety like that?
Where is the bedside manner that doctors and nurses are supposed to have?
I have a very high IQ, and work as a business analyst and software developer for a manufacturing company. I simply won't be spoken to like I'm an idiot when the person pushing that opinion has no interest, no manners, and can't even read notes or ask the correct questions. I have the nerve to stand up and be counted over problems, but I hate to think of the abrupt demeanour that meets other more elderly and infirm patients. I believe Dr. [Anon] was negligent and exasperated my condition further, and for this reason I want some form of action.

I am now left feeling like I've no where to turn as I will not be spoken to like that by anyone, let alone a 'professional'. If the doctors weren't so pressured into getting numbers through the door like cattle, then the service may improve, but at the moment its detrimental to peoples health and confidence. I know of many incidents where my immediate family and friends have had the same treatment, with strong accent doctors speaking so quickly that they are unintelligible. They are trying to rush you out so quicly that mistakes are made. There was only two people in the waiting room when I went in at 4.05pm, was Dr. [Anon] rushing to get home early on a Friday?

This ten minute allocation policy actually worsens the situation, with the amount of appointments actually going up in response to mistakes. It doesn't speed anything up! Its about time the medical profession forgets about working to reports, and starts doing its fuction correctly, caring!

Yours regrettably,

Christopher Gibson

[trojan_libido]

Counter complaint which was hand delivered today! I've not even put my complaint in yet...

Dear Mr Gibson,

I understand that you had a consultation with Dr [Anon] on Friday 12th June at 3.30. Dr [Anon] informs me that during this consultation he began to feel quite threatened when you became abusive when you started shouting and waving your hands around and when you abruptly left the consultation. I must inform you that we consider this to be unacceptable and this behaviour will not be tolerated and that we will remove you from our practice list should you repeat this behaviour to any member of our practice team.

If you would like to discuss this...

As you can imagine, I was furious when I read he'd done this as a counter argument to strengthen his own case before my complaint even arises.
The hands waving around was me standing up and heading towards to door while holding my hand up to tell him to stop shouting and me saying "I won't be spoken to like that" as I went out. I will be recording every official consultations I have in future, to protect myself from these egocentric doctors. But I'm wondering how best to proceed, I'd like to get him to admit on recording that he put this complaint in as a block for my complaint. I wondered if anyone had a similar experience and how it'd gone?

[Rick]

I would pursue the complaint. If that "doctor" is as bad as your story indicates, there are probably lots of others who will join you. See if you can find them. Perhaps go there periodically and just ask out loud in the waiting room if anyone wants to join in on a complaint. Or ask people going in or out.

[trojan_libido]

I came out of the office and spoke to the staff at the reception about a complaint form and got "A COMPLAINT FORM ?" from a lass at the back. That didn't help. I got the form and went across to book that syringing and the woman behind the glass asked what was wrong because she saw me upset. I mumbled something about "that bloody doctor" and she asked who. When I told her she said "Ah!" like a sign of recognition of history repeating.

I'm sure he's had complaints before, and he's no fool in counteracting them. I want statements from each of the staff that I patiently sat there quiet as a mouse for 35 minutes without a murmur from me before the appointment. I want to collect as much personality evidence as possible so his counter complaint has as little grounds as I can make it.

[P.j.S]

Personally some visits with a Doctor can become quite tense even after sitting patiently in a waiting room for some time. But in this case the Doctor did not visit your house. You were in his office. As the authority then he admonished you not to repeat the occurrence. Obviously he being uncomfortable as well issued a warning to you. He did not cancel his approachableness to you so he was hopeful of a better future visit and oddly enough put confidence in you while showing the professionism of more seriously getting past the surface stuff and on to the real business of the visit hopefully the next time. No need to be hasty. Save your more influencial manuver of registering an official complaint until after he should ever terminate your visits because if he has a record of abusing people your delayed actions will show much restraint on your part and land on the erring one with a greater impact I would suspect and suggest.

Further about your sister. I am sorry for your tragic loss. Things about her live on in her children. Things like mannerisms may manifest themselves in time so as to remind you of her. I have dead loved ones and hope to see them again. This hope is positive and healthy to have. You are not her replacement but you can no doubt understand some of the load she had and think well of her just by assisting with the raising of her kids to say the least. I believe that you tackle the responsibility well. Otherwise I would be seeing more pictures of the universe. Do you know what I mean?

You asked for outside opinions. I hope that I have not hurt your feelings in any way.
4) my late father said don't trouble trouble. it has too many entrances and not enough exits.

Peter

[trojan_libido]

Thank you for the kind words. I believe this guy has worsened my already super fast worsening over the last couple of days. I've had two panic attacks since the visit, the last one because of this guys retaliation or blocking. If he was a real caring doctor (one for the job and not the money), he could have righted these wrongs with a simple apology and a bit of time spent to talk to me about my anxiety that he's worsened. By being a big man he could have diffused this, but instead he's worsened it by trying to cover his ass!

I will suffer on in this case regardless. The panic attacks are caused by physical pain. If the pains psycological then I can deal with it. If its physical then I need a doctor that gives a damn! I am transferring surgeries right away, but the way he's handled himself is nothing short of negligent in the light of my condition.

[P.j.S]

You are avid and I am only a stranger to your circumstance. Please be patient with me as I offer further things to think about.

In switching you may get a doctor with good bed side manner but can't sew very well.
But I can understand the complication of established anxiety plus inconvenient unpleastantries of a sour visit with an overbearing authority figure that may be good on the operating table that's why other people tolerate him.

A doctor can become ingrained with people and seemingly less polite. After all he hears people's complaints constantly and what about his wife did she just leave him and he can't afford not to go to work while he suffers with his thoughts etc. Doctor is an occupational title but are only average people too usually.

You need the best help you can get. I live in Canada where healthcare is paid by the Government of Canada. Still there can be tense visits with doctors even though the treatment is free for the citizens of Canada.

I am bi-polar. I have some experience with panic attacks and mood disorders but you who are most knowledgeable about your own personal situation needs to make the all important decisions for you yourself.

Peter

[trojan_libido]

Quick update. I've spoke to the practice manager, and she's very sympathetic with my case after finding out I'd requested a complaint form as soon as I came out of the consultation. I've arranged a meeting with her on Monday morning to go over my issue and the subsequent behaviour of the Dr. involved. This has relieved some of the anxiety over this situation, as I thought it might, and I will be going ahead with a formal complaint regardless of the outcome. Not speaking up does not do anyone any favours! I can only hope he stops treating people like his own private cattle. I'll take the hit to protect other more vulnerable people who get this animal as a GP.

Thanks for listening! I'll update this thread with any developments for the sake of completeness.

[Phi]

good luck

[trojan_libido]

Had a meeting on Monday with the practice manager who claims the Doc put his complaint in the second the consultation ended, so he couldnt have done that in response to my request for a complaint form. When I asked how she knew this for sure, she said the data records are time stamped. Well I'm a software developer and know that data is easily manipulated, not after the fact, but simply by adding/updating a record just as he put the black mark on my record.

The independant service who are supposed to help managed to send out their documents without enough postage, meaning I had to pay for the privilege of their 'unique' form of help. They also had my address on the letter and someone elses name within the letter... They also failed to contact me by phone. Basically, they're as rotten as the practice I'm complaining about, and I've let them know too. I've completed my complaint letter and just sent it directly myself.

Luckily my anxiety has cooled off, and I'm actively making changes to keep it that way. Its not exactly an eye opener for me, all these rotten companies. The nature of my work means I'm often brought into a company to examine business processes and make beneficial changes and implement software solutions, and I know for a fact that the public face is always a complete front compared to the reality of internal practices. Its amazing how fragile our systems are, and scary that some of our most authorative institutions are so degraded.

[catseye]

name='trojan_libido' date='Jul 02, 2009, 01:56 AM' post='102785']
Had a meeting on Monday with the practice manager who claims the Doc put his complaint in the second the consultation ended, so he couldnt have done that in response to my request for a complaint form. When I asked how she knew this for sure, she said the data records are time stamped. Well I'm a software developer and know that data is easily manipulated, not after the fact, but simply by adding/updating a record just as he put the black mark on my record.

The front office likely informed him of your response when you came out of his office originally. It may not be that they manipulated the records but more likely that he made the jump to do this first to ensure his own practice.
This kind of "herding", lack of ethics, and misdiagnosis is all too common in the medical (internal) practice of medicine these days. I held back from speaking before as you seemed to be overwhelmed with the experience, but basically there is no hope of you getting any justice done. I've seen this all to often. The only way to really make any effect on physicions who lack any ethics is to make a case involving multiple people willing to take action and usually more than 10. And with proof positive on the situations.

Insurance plays a big role in this and you will have to consider what power you have with your insurance co -if any. If your just on a common HMO -forget it...PPO can have some pull, but your best bet either way is to just find another doctor that accepts your ins. . Like everything in our consumer "environment" this is just another business, you must beware of who or what -and you must examine and research the Doctors and your own condition(s).
Keep in mind that Ins companies have a deep pull on the doctors and visa-versa. Not understanding the "powers that be" can really hurt you.

Please consider just going someplace else and leave this behind you.

Look up on State Health Boards the doctor you are interested in - see if any cases are active and look into what doctors really get involved with the community. In the first visit conduct an interview by asking if they understand your medical situation and see if they are responsive to your questions. Don't bring up your past situation with this doctor - this will sabotage you - believe me. Just look into who can give you the best care and go with the one who can. I spoke with 3 doctors before choosing my current one. When the others couldn't answer, or became frustrated that I had questions and irritated that I was willing to become educated in any condition I had - I walked and never looked back.

It's just like anything else nowadays...your cheapest tool is always your most expensive frustration.

Take Care

[trojan_libido]

Thanks Catseye. I've put my complaint in and moved on a few weeks back. I'm not expecting miracles, but I will get justice.

[catseye]

Thanks Catseye. I've put my complaint in and moved on a few weeks back. I'm not expecting miracles, but I will get justice.

Well, there is something I came up with years ago to set my own form of justice when other means failed.
your welcome to try it, if all else fails - don't get caught!

Paint his car windows black.

It's harmless.
It's a metaphor to his inability to see.
It effects him where it counts the most to him, it will cost money to wash it off.
and, He will be forced to endure the common life, by taking a taxi.

[Rick]

There are some risks involved.

1. You might get caught doing it. Jail (or for our English Friends, gaol) time could result.

2. He might scrape off just enough to sort of see and then get in an accident injuring someone. You would share culpability for the harm done.

3. He might go nuts and shoot the wrong person (or if in England, stab).

[catseye]

There are some risks involved.

1. You might get caught doing it. Jail (or for our English Friends, gaol) time could result.

2. He might scrape off just enough to sort of see and then get in an accident injuring someone. You would share culpability for the harm done.

3. He might go nuts and shoot the wrong person (or if in England, stab).

For the most part your Right, but I think it's just a misdemeanor - defacing property- I don't think there is any jail time in that, but if (IF) caught you could be sued for damages and or fined.

If the donkey of a man does go nuts and harms someone this would only be a excuse, if he's the type to do this then any action would set him off to kill - again the "defacer" is not responsible.

If the donkey of a man chooses to drive a car in which he can not see properly, that still accounts for his own negligence- the culprit would not be responsible for his decision to drive a compromised vehicle.

the point being is that you may not have had to relate with a doctor of poor repute. It is almost impossible to report abuse or take action to ensure appropriate help.
Revenge is never a path of compromise but with some of the patients I've seen that live on drugs (or die before their time) instead of receiving appropriate surgery or medicine- because the doctor won't help due to lack of funds can drive people to vigilante actions.

Remember that movie where the man held the hospital hostage because his son was denied a heart transplant? It was a true story. Demsel Washington?

My response was mostly humor and for the most part harmless. but I've seen others do far worse and are in jail now....and getting the medicine they needed...ain't that a hoot !??

[Rick]

We need single payer universal health care in the USA and the sooner the better.

[catseye]

We need single payer universal health care in the USA and the sooner the better.

What do you mean? Insurance ? Social medicine is ultimately the path we are on but the beginning of it will be hard won as far a appropriate care. There are so many down sides to it that it does frighten me. If full control of the medical profession is monopolized we 'could' end up being servants to the order and without the ability to choose. It's getting closer to that already. Like the mother who didn't want to put her child through chemo, the state got involved and put out the legal authorities to apprehend. It's not the point of agreeing or not but the choice to decide your own health care.
For instance, if we did govern with universal Health care then TL would not likely be able to walk away from this doctor and find another.

[Rick]

Listening to the Repugligan scare machine is OK. Taking them seriously is foolish.

http://cthealth.server101.com/the_case_for...ited_states.htm

[catseye]

Listening to the Repugligan scare machine is OK. Taking them seriously is foolish.

http://cthealth.server101.com/the_case_for...ited_states.htm

*

6. Myth Five: Universal Health Care Is Socialized Medicine And Would Be Unacceptable To The Public

* Fact One: Single payer universal health care is not socialized medicine. It is health care payment system, not a health care delivery system.


If this one statement made the premise of Universal health care, then I would be in the top
ten in voting yes.
But our 'entire' system is based on 'no monopolization' . As this gives us freedom it also enables the powerful and sinister to obtain power. there are so many levels in our society that need a revamping of priority that introducing this program would fall into the wrong hands -at this time-. we need to get control of our real politics and principles IMO in the humanist view of betterment towards each other as a whole, right now we live in such an individual society that the people are lured by self interest and that creates the ability to those with financial means to sustain a empowerment that winds up more of a monopoly than what we fear. It's a vicious circle, what keeps us free - imprisons.

[Rick]

You've got to stop listening to the God damned Repugligans. It's bullshit. You like the "monopoly" fire department, don't you? Back in the bad old days when we had privatized fire protection, it you didn't have a placard on the front of your house stating that your payment to the private fire company was current, they would stand there and watch your house burn down. There is a place for the private and a place for the public. Every other industrialized country in the world has a public health care system, just like they (and we) have public education.

[catseye]

You've got to stop listening to the God damned Repugligans. It's bullshit. You like the "monopoly" fire department, don't you? Back in the bad old days when we had privatized fire protection, it you didn't have a placard on the front of your house stating that your payment to the private fire company was current, they would stand there and watch your house burn down. There is a place for the private and a place for the public. Every other industrialized country in the world has a public health care system, just like they (and we) have public education.

I voted democrat. My observations above are due to the role that republicans have influenced our economics. Until we restructure from the ground up these institutions will be influenced in the same way.
I was agreeing with you while also observing the trends that have taken place and would likely continue with these establishments until the change in priorities happen.

[Rick]

Stay involved. Repugliganism thrives when people don't think.