One of the problems with medical care is the lack of internal controls in
a practice.
Example:
About two weeks ago I noted a growing lump on my scalp. I went t
o see a dermatologist (a former
colleague of mine). He did a biopsy and said he would call me in t
wo or three days with the diagnosis.
He also said that if the biopsy was
positive
he would refer me to a plastic surgeon that used a surgery
center. (he did not have hospital privileges). There was some concern since I am
on blood thinners for a
stroke and several AMIs with several stents following multiple angioplasties
placing me at a higher risk. I
was concerned about the possibility of another stroke or AMI if Clopid
ogrel was stopped.
I waited four days with no telephone call. Finally, I called to find o
ut what the diagnosis was, and I was
told it was a squamous cell skin cancer. I then spoke to a receptionist who said
she would speak to the
medical assistant
...
.still no call back. I asked if they were going to make a referral to the
plastic surgeon
or should I call ? Answer
“
we will call you later this afternoon and let you know.
Good morning, it is now tomorrow and six days have gone by since the
biopsy.
My gut feeling is to find another plastic surgeon (not the one he referred m
e to) (birds of a feather, flock
together.)
Moral of the story
...
..do not be passive about lab results. Call, call, call until you
get an answer. Not
hearing anything creates great anxiety for anyone. You paid for the lab work
, you paid for the doctor
visit. This type of thing borders on negligence. Do not be passiv
e
...
it
s your life.
I have
fired
my dermatologist, especially in light of the fact I chose him sinc
e he was a former
colleague. (30 years ago). If your MD is over the age of 60 ask if they
have hospital privileges. An
unknown secret is that many senior MDs give up their hospital privileges due
to age or an unwillingness
to take call. Being an MD is a
marathon
, not a sprint. That is not to say that MDs who do not use
hospitals are bad doctors
......
..just prudent and self-aware.
Of course this is an anecdotal story. Perhaps he does call and respond to ot
her patients he has operated
upon.
P.S. He advertises himself as a
cosmetic surgeon
using lasers, creams and anti-aging compounds. In
today
s world almost any MD can call themselves
“
cosmetic surgeons
. I have seen Family Doctors
offering skin laser surgery for age spots. Always check with a hospital about th
eir privelges and what
department in the hospital they are assigned to. They should be a surgeon wi
th a designated specialty.
If this can happen to a physician, God help the rest of you. One of the problems with medical care is the lack of internal controls in
a practice.
Example:
About two weeks ago I noted a growing lump on my scalp. I went t
o see a dermatologist (a former
colleague of mine). He did a biopsy and said he would call me in t
wo or three days with the diagnosis.
He also said that if the biopsy was
positive
he would refer me to a plastic surgeon that used a surgery
center. (he did not have hospital privileges). There was some concern since I am
on blood thinners for a
stroke and several AMIs with several stents following multiple angioplasties
placing me at a higher risk. I
was concerned about the possibility of another stroke or AMI if Clopid
ogrel was stopped.
I waited four days with no telephone call. Finally, I called to find o
ut what the diagnosis was, and I was
told it was a squamous cell skin cancer. I then spoke to a receptionist who said
she would speak to the
medical assistant
...
.still no call back. I asked if they were going to make a referral to the
plastic surgeon
or should I call ? Answer
“
we will call you later this afternoon and let you know.
Good morning, it is now tomorrow and six days have gone by since the
biopsy.
My gut feeling is to find another plastic surgeon (not the one he referred m
e to) (birds of a feather, flock
together.)
Moral of the story
...
..do not be passive about lab results. Call, call, call until you
get an answer. Not
hearing anything creates great anxiety for anyone. You paid for the lab work
, you paid for the doctor
visit. This type of thing borders on negligence. Do not be passiv
e
...
it
s your life.
I have
fired
my dermatologist, especially in light of the fact I chose him sinc
e he was a former
colleague. (30 years ago). If your MD is over the age of 60 ask if they
have hospital privileges. An
unknown secret is that many senior MDs give up their hospital privileges due
to age or an unwillingness
to take call. Being an MD is a
marathon
, not a sprint. That is not to say that MDs who do not use
hospitals are bad doctors
......
..just prudent and self-aware.
Of course this is an anecdotal story. Perhaps he does call and respond to ot
her patients he has operated
upon.
P.S. He advertises himself as a
cosmetic surgeon
using lasers, creams and anti-aging compounds. In
today
s world almost any MD can call themselves
“
cosmetic surgeons
. I have seen Family Doctors
offering skin laser surgery for age spots. Always check with a hospital about th
eir privelges and what
department in the hospital they are assigned to. They should be a surgeon wi
th a designated specialty.
If this can happen to a physician, God help the rest of you.
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