Do you sometimes meet doctors who you feel are patronizing toward you?

I guess I've been really lucky with medical professionals; there've only been a couple of times I've felt patronized by them. Our financial advisor, OTOH: the guy hangs on every word Huzz says but won't let me finish a sentence, he thinks I'm an idiot obviously. I want to get a diff. one but Huzz likes him.
 
Murrmurr said:
Same here. I know almost everyone thinks the USA doesn't have a national healthcare system, but it does, but it's only for people who live below the poverty line. (which is currently $77,000 a yr for a family of 3, and goes up from there)

Anyway, I asked my doctor why Medic-aid patients get talked down to by the system's physicians. She said it's "because most Medic-aid patients don't know their ankle from their elbow." :oops:

I assume she was exaggerating, but sheesh.
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I don't know this to be fact but my assumption is the docs are reimbursed far less from Medicaid than they are from private insurance companies or patients paying cash. Therefore, their less than pleasant attitude.
 

Rich said:
I don't know this to be fact but my assumption is the docs are reimbursed far less from Medicaid than they are from private insurance companies or patients paying cash. Therefore, their less than pleasant attitude.
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Yes, Medicaid pays them a lot less. And it pays per-patient, so doctors tend to spend no more than 10-15 minutes with each one. That leaves little time for pleasantries; they get to the meat and potatoes and leave bedside manner, taking your vitals, checking your chart, and asking you why you're there to the medical assistant.

MAs don't always have a very pleasant attitude, either. But most of 'em probly do.
 
The “primary care” or “family doctors” that I have dealt with tend to be down-to-earth people, with the worst among them coming across as a bit cold. Specialists can be another matter, in my experience at times presenting as brusque and even arrogant. A specialist who is a holistic practitioner is rare; they tend to see me as their specialty organ rather than as a whole person, and often fly out without addressing all of my questions or giving me full information on matters such as aftercare following procedures.

Thank God for nurses! They are usually there to clean up after the doctor, and have been approachable to answer my questions that the doctors may rush away from… 👩‍⚕️
 
Alizerine said:
So often the issues are not serious enough to warrant making a fuss. It would just be so much more pleasant if they would slow down and treat you with a little more respect.
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I saw a good PCP once, but his practice was a mess. I eventually realized that his medical group had been purchased by some Large Company Overlord and that was why his practice was a mess. He was not in private practice. Just a young doctor trying to navigate an Overlord system. So, I don't always blame the doctors. Sometimes it's the system in which they work that deserves most of the blame.
 
VintageBetter said:
I saw a good PCP once, but his practice was a mess. I eventually realized that his medical group had been purchased by some Large Company Overlord and that was why his practice was a mess. He was not in private practice. Just a young doctor trying to navigate an Overlord system. So, I don't always blame the doctors. Sometimes it's the system in which they work that deserves most of the blame.
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So true. I know it would frustrate me, if I were a medical professional, if medical decisions were taken out of my trained, hard-working hands and being instead made by some MBA sitting on his a$$ behind a big fancy desk, somebody who doesn't have a clue, nor care about, medicine, only money. Phooey on that.
 
Murrmurr said:
Yes, Medicaid pays them a lot less. And it pays per-patient, so doctors tend to spend no more than 10-15 minutes with each one. That leaves little time for pleasantries; they get to the meat and potatoes and leave bedside manner, taking your vitals, checking your chart, and asking you why you're there to the medical assistant.

MAs don't always have a very pleasant attitude, either. But most of 'em probly do.
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As often as not, when I go to the doctor, I don't see an MD; I see a physician assistant or a nurse practitioner. I don't really have a problem with that. However, for most of my life, I was told that doctors make a lot of money because they're highly educated. That being the case, I think I should get a discount if I see the less educated PA or NP.
 
Rich said:
As often as not, when I go to the doctor, I don't see an MD; I see a physician assistant or a nurse practitioner. I don't really have a problem with that. However, for most of my life, I was told that doctors make a lot of money because they're highly educated. That being the case, I think I should get a discount if I see the less educated PA or NP.
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I'd rather be seen by the person who earned the PhD/MD every time. Don't care if s/he's smug, that smugness was earned. Don't care if s/he's arrogant, narcissistic, or a bit gruff as long as there's a boatload of education behind his or her opinions and decisions on the state of my body. My body is that precious.
 
Murrmurr said:
Don't care if s/he's arrogant, narcissistic, or a bit gruff as long as there's a boatload of education behind his or her opinions and decisions on the state of my body. My body is that precious.
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Their attitude can be irritating. My issue is that you can tell they’re not listening to what you say. I wondered if it was just me, then I heard stories of how rude some specialists I saw are to everyone. There’s no choice to see anyone else. We’re lucky to have them.
 
There's one doctor who bought out the business of another that I was seeing. His arrogance is off the scale. He will not deign to even speak to me. If I ask a question, he leaves the exam room and sends in one of his lackeys do do that.

My PCP is a minimalist. If I have an issue, she will say, "You have to expect more problems as you get older." And also a pill pusher. One time I said that a certain medicine I was taking at the time made me gain weight as a side effect. She said, in effect, that side effects are all in here (as she tapped her head). The last time I saw her, she wanted me to start taking GLP1 meds and recommended Ozempic. I told her I wanted to so some research first. Recently, I heard Ozempic was under scrutiny for bad side effects. I'm happy I waited.
 
DaiwaGuy said:
Doctors are mostly greedy, lazy, arrogant and stupid.

Long ago, I came down with Meniere's disease (look it up). I went to many doctors, while voraciously reading everything I could find about the disease and modern techniques used to abate the vertigo. I was having spin-and-puke attacks every two to three days.

I went to this one ENT, and his goddamned office was a shrine to golf. The clock, the pen holder, his smock, you name it. I had a bad feeling about this quack. Shortly after I got with the doctor, my suspicions were confirmed. I knew more about Meniere's than he did.

I got up and said this appointment is over, I know more than you do about this. I also told him I would not pay him. He got all exercised and threatened to send a collection agency after me. Now, at the time I was 6'3". He was about 5'8".

I stood up to full height, got just about nose-to-nose with him and told him you do what you have to do, but you remember one thing: I know where you work. Never heard from a collection agency.

I finally found a good otolaryngologist (world fcuking class) and found treatment.

But doctors are mostly assholes. They LIKE idiot patients. They almost never like me because I challenge them when they're fcuking up and I know when they
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I'm sorry that has been your experience. I have been lucky with all of my doctors. And I do have doctors in my family and they would be appalled at these horrid type of doctors.
 
VintageBetter said:
I saw a good PCP once, but his practice was a mess. I eventually realized that his medical group had been purchased by some Large Company Overlord and that was why his practice was a mess. He was not in private practice. Just a young doctor trying to navigate an Overlord system. So, I don't always blame the doctors. Sometimes it's the system in which they work that deserves most of the blame.
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Sadly, private equity groups plan to buy more hospitals and practices this year. It will only get worse.
 
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A regional hospital and their cardiac surgeon were recently fined by Medicare for over billing and billing for unnecessary procedures. The financially struggling hospital pays the surgeon $2M/yr and ignored his fraud for years before a brave sole filed a "whistle blower" action, naturally, he was the one forced out.
 
I've had both kinds of doctors, in their own practice and in hospitals. Some were caring and friendly some rude and insulting. Thank God the first ones were the majority. My female GP, that I have for more than a decade told me some weeks ago the results of a 24-hour ECG. She said "it is normal but there are quite a few 'hicksers' (A 'hickser' in German is the colloquial term for a hiccup). I answered "you mean extrasystoles". The look on her face was priceless. Some decades ago I asked a young otorhinolaryngologist about my 'cerumen' (the Latin word for ear wax). She asked for my profession. :ROFLMAO:
 
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Happy Heart said:
A regional hospital and their cardiac surgeon were recently fined by Medicare for over billing and billing for unnecessary procedures. The financially struggling hospital pays the surgeon $2M/yr and ignored his fraud for years before a brave sole filed a "whistle blower" action, naturally, he was the one forced out.
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I hope the whistleblower is suing the hospital. There are laws against retaliation. It can be very tough to find a lawyer for those cases though.

What America needs is a giant fund to pay lawyers for representing the poor in civil cases. Not all lawyers can even afford to take a continiency case up front without seed money to start. A giant fund could provide grants to do that. Maybe level the playing field in court a tiny bit?
 
Judycat said:
Most of the doctors I've been to were pretty decent but have known some who could use an attitude adjustment. I usually ignore rude behavior and find first impressions soften over time.
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I used to be that optimistic with doctors and ignore the rudeness. Now, I feel like I don't have time for that - like, I have been the "nice lady" for 45 years and what has it gotten me from the medical profession? Not much.

When I was on Medicaid I was especially nice because there is such hatred of poor people overall in America. On Medicaid I've even been to urgent cares where I could tell they were testing me to see if I wanted any pain meds - they'd keep asking me about my pain when I was just there for a chronic cough (could I have bronchitis or pneumonia?)

In my area, I sometimes think that if you are nice to people they assume you're an idiot and they take advantage of you. So now, if I can change doctors quickly, I will. I think some doctors really hate that. They don't want you to leave - IDK why. I didn't sign a contact to be seen by only you!

We live in freakin' strange times and I'm pretty darn sick of it.
 
VintageBetter said:
I hope the whistleblower is suing the hospital. There are laws against retaliation. It can be very tough to find a lawyer for those cases though.

What America needs is a giant fund to pay lawyers for representing the poor in civil cases. Not all lawyers can even afford to take a continiency case up front without seed money to start. A giant fund could provide grants to do that. Maybe level the playing field in court a tiny bit?
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For fun and interest I pasted your proposal into "Bard" a "very smart" Ai assistant...I hope you don't mind...because I am very interested in finding ways to help the disadvantaged.

The idea of a giant fund to provide legal representation for the poor in civil cases is a complex one, with both merits and potential drawbacks. Here are some points to consider:

Merits:

  • Increased access to justice: Many low-income individuals face significant barriers to accessing legal representation in civil cases, often leading to unfair outcomes. A dedicated fund could help address this inequity by providing resources for lawyers to take on these cases.
  • Improved case outcomes: Studies have shown that having legal representation significantly improves outcomes for clients in civil cases. A larger pool of available lawyers could help ensure more people receive representation.
  • Reduced societal costs: Legal problems often have cascading consequences, impacting housing, healthcare, and employment. Providing legal assistance at an early stage can help prevent these problems and reduce their overall cost to society.
  • Leveling the playing field: Individuals and small businesses often face powerful corporations or institutions with extensive legal resources. A fund could help create a more balanced legal landscape.
Potential drawbacks:

  • Cost and sustainability: Establishing and maintaining a large, centralized fund would require significant resources and ongoing funding. Ensuring efficient and responsible allocation of these resources would be crucial.
  • Potential for abuse: Some concerns exist about potential misuse of funds, such as frivolous lawsuits or excessive fees. Clear guidelines and oversight mechanisms would be necessary to address these concerns.
  • Impact on the legal profession: A large influx of funding could affect the lawyer-client relationship and the overall legal system. It's important to consider how such a fund could be implemented without causing unintended consequences.
  • Alternative solutions: Some argue that existing legal aid programs and pro bono efforts could be strengthened instead of creating a new fund. Evaluating the effectiveness of existing initiatives and identifying any gaps in coverage would be necessary.
Overall, the idea of a dedicated fund to support legal representation for the poor in civil cases deserves careful consideration and nuanced discussion. Weighing the potential benefits against the challenges and exploring alternative solutions are crucial steps in determining the most effective way to address this important issue.

It's important to note that there are already several organizations and initiatives working to provide legal aid to low-income individuals in the United States. Some examples include:

  • The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) is a federal agency that provides funding for legal aid programs throughout the country.
  • The American Bar Association's Pro Bono Center helps connect lawyers with individuals who need legal assistance.
  • Pro bono programs are offered by many law firms and legal organizations.
  • Local bar associations may also offer legal aid services or referrals.
These existing resources can be a starting point for individuals seeking legal assistance, and understanding the current landscape is important when considering new solutions like a centralized fund.

I hope this information helps contribute to a constructive discussion about this important topic!
 
VintageBetter said:
I used to be that optimistic with doctors and ignore the rudeness. Now, I feel like I don't have time for that - like, I have been the "nice lady" for 45 years and what has it gotten me from the medical profession? Not much.

When I was on Medicaid I was especially nice because there is such hatred of poor people overall in America. On Medicaid I've even been to urgent cares where I could tell they were testing me to see if I wanted any pain meds - they'd keep asking me about my pain when I was just there for a chronic cough (could I have bronchitis or pneumonia?)

In my area, I sometimes think that if you are nice to people they assume you're an idiot and they take advantage of you. So now, if I can change doctors quickly, I will. I think some doctors really hate that. They don't want you to leave - IDK why. I didn't sign a contact to be seen by only you!

We live in freakin' strange times and I'm pretty darn sick of it.
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We have to shop around for a Doctor that listens to us, and becomes a partner in our health care. My GP is that. We work together and allows me a lot of room to make my own decisions. She offers me advice, and knowledge, plus a very caring attitude. I couldn't ask for more. But, when I do run into the fast lane folks, I make some trouble. I am not going to let callous/unfeeling humans control my life. So I guess we just need to keep vigilant.
 
VintageBetter said:
I hope the whistleblower is suing the hospital. There are laws against retaliation. It can be very tough to find a lawyer for those cases though.

What America needs is a giant fund to pay lawyers for representing the poor in civil cases. Not all lawyers can even afford to take a continiency case up front without seed money to start. A giant fund could provide grants to do that. Maybe level the playing field in court a tiny bit?
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Yes, he did sue and won, but at the end of the day, it is the patients/tax payers who will pick up the tab for the greedy. Now another hospital has the whistle blower surgeon and the bad apple is left when he should have been the one forced out. Too bad they don't teach ethics in med school.
 
When I first started having issues with my hip...2007 or so, I went to my primary doctor at the time. He was very condescending, and almost acted as if I was faking it, or over reacting. That is when I said enough of this guy, and found another doctor. She was amazed he never even suggested an ortho, or sent me for X rays. She did, and my right hip was bone on bone!!! Yep, faking it
 

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