Tired of all the Specialists!

Ruthanne

Ruthanne

Caregiver
Location
Midwest
Remember the olden days when you had 1 doctor to see and they did everything? It went okay back then, too!

Now I have several recommendations from my Internist to make appointments with specialists and I have not made them. I feel overwhelmed with it.

Wish he could do what the olden doctors did before and quit shoving me off on other doctors or so it seems.

Every time I tell him a problem it's another doctor recommendation so I feel like keeping it to myself now. What is the point of see a the GP if it's only for more referrals?!

I can refer myself if I know the type of doctor. Then if you are not happy with the specialist(s) you have to sort that out and get new ones!

I guess I'm just ranting about this--tired of this nonsense.
 

I know exactly how you feel Ruthanne. I understand the GP has to refer us to a specialist for our more serious ailments..however, why as you say can't it be just one specialist. I don't know about in the USA but here in the Uk I very rarely get to see the same specialist for the same ailment..

I'll get referred to Mr Jones ( here if they're top of their game they're called Mr and not Doctor)... then when I get to my appointment I get to see one of his ''crew'' Doctor smith, then my symptoms are not something Smith has seen before, he's confused. he calls for a second opinion from a more experienced doctor..or he refers me ( weeks or maybe month later) to Mr Jones again.. and again, i get to see one of his crew..this time Dr Roberts... he knows a little more than Dr Smith but not as much as Mr Jones... and so it goes on ad infinitum!!
 
hollydolly said:
I know exactly how you feel Ruthanne. I understand the GP has to refer us to a specialist for our more serious ailments..however, why as you say can't it be just one specialist. I don't know about in the USA but here in the Uk I very rarely get to see the same specialist for the same ailment..

I'll get referred to Mr Jones ( here if they're top of their game they're called Mr and not Doctor)... then when I get to my appointment I get to see one of his ''crew'' Doctor smith, then my symptoms are not something Smith has seen before, he's confused. he calls for a second opinion from a more experienced doctor..or he refers me ( weeks or maybe month later) to Mr Jones again.. and again, i get to see one of his crew..this time Dr Roberts... he knows a little more than Dr Smith but not as much as Mr Jones... and so it goes on ad infinitum!!
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Yes, it's maddening really! I am fed up with them at this point. 😣
 

I’m sorry you have to deal with this Ruthanne.
It must be so frustrating.
I wish I could say I can relate but I honestly can’t however I wish you the best moving forward, whatever that may be.
 
Keesha said:
I’m sorry you have to deal with this Ruthanne.
It must be so frustrating.
I wish I could say I can relate but I honestly can’t however I wish you the best moving forward, whatever that may be.
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Thanks Keesha, after a lifetime of this I just get tired of it every now and then! o_O :cautious::oops:
 
Keesha said:
That’s understandable.
Do you have any colouring books?
It might sound silly but sometimes the act of doing something so simple is actually soothing.
Highly recommended.
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I might have some tucked away in something. I'll look for it. Good idea.(y)🤩
 
I've gotten to the point where I avoid mentioning problems to my PCP unless I intend to have something done about them.

It's difficult balancing my health care against my own peace of mind/comfort knowing that in the end none of the fuss will make much difference in how long or how well I live.

Try to do what feels right for you and your own situation, good luck!
 
Aunt Bea said:
I've gotten to the point where I avoid mentioning problems to my PCP unless I intend to have something done about them.

It's difficult balancing my health care against my own peace of mind/comfort knowing that in the end none of the fuss will make much difference in how long or how well I live.

Try to do what feels right for you and your own situation, good luck!
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You sure have a good point! I have a feeling that doctors must take action if you complain about something or they could be held liable. I am scheduled to go to the doctor next month and I’m developing a plan as to what is important to discuss with him. So much of what I am experiencing is just general aches due to the aging process. I was witness to so many of my family members going through such h### as they aged spending their remaining days going to doctors appointments, tests, etc....🙁
 
i dont tell my pc doctor every thing--she will have me running all over town to specialist--she also told me if i didnt go to my ent dr. she couldnt give me a certain med. so i have to see him once a year(50.00) to get a 4.00 prescription for vertico
 
Aunt Bea said:
I've gotten to the point where I avoid mentioning problems to my PCP unless I intend to have something done about them.

It's difficult balancing my health care against my own peace of mind/comfort knowing that in the end none of the fuss will make much difference in how long or how well I live.

Try to do what feels right for you and your own situation, good luck!
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Thanks, I do.
 
I agree completely Ruthanne......I have bitched about it for some time. GP's are nothing more than medical traffic cops. And I see no need for them either. I hate hospitals but.....remember the days when a doc would say, I am going to check you into the hospital for a series of tests. Then we'll go from there? Well now they say well, make an appointment with this or that 'specialist' [sometimes 4-6 weeks out] then drive over there [often in the depth of winter] , then that 'specialist' says well, make an appointment with this & or that other 'specialist, and travel to there.....etc,etc. And you are right . People become overwhelmed , disgusted, and just say the hell with it all. {OK maybe just me, but I doubt it]

I remember when the GP had the specialist come to their office on designated days. I remember it overhearing conversations between my EX and her mother.

I believe allot of this is , [in part] what has led to the rise of alternative types of medicine / self medicine . The doctors of all types must just hate the internet [Dr Google] because I seriously believe more & more people are going to it for this very reason.

BTW follow the money.........more players in the game, more money made, more luxury cars sold...............
 
Unfortunately the need for specialists is understood when it's your life at stake. Otherwise, I agree, it does seem a hassle. As we age, they are always looking for stuff. If stuff does happen, reread first sentence.
 
Pepper said:
Unfortunately the need for specialists is understood when it's your life at stake. Otherwise, I agree, it does seem a hassle. As we age, they are always looking for stuff. If stuff does happen, reread first sentence.
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They need us, [to fuel their lavish lifestyles] we need them to stem our ills......now if we could only get them to care about us .......jmo.
 
I have known many who care, and do their best in a humane manner. Wish I didn't know so much. Of course, there are those who don't.
 
I'm very fortunate to have a good GP. He is a geriatric specialist.
He's never in a hurry, reads the charts. He knows his stuff and is one of the top 10 Drs in a very large city.

When I went to see him after my heart attack he explained things the Cardio Dr. hadn't. He prescribed something for my ucky tummy and changed my inhaler to one that does not shock the system/heart. He said I didn't need to see a Pulmonologist. The Cardio Dr wants me to see a list of specialists, my GP said no need. All of the info from other Drs or tests will go to my GP and he will co-ordinate my care.
 
Pepper said:
Unfortunately the need for specialists is understood when it's your life at stake. Otherwise, I agree, it does seem a hassle. As we age, they are always looking for stuff. If stuff does happen, reread first sentence.
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I never said there is no need for them. It was a rant and you missed the point.
 
The U.S. health care system is increasingly becoming more about the Money, than patient care. As for PCP's, they are a dying breed, as 90% of today's med students plan on entering a "specialty"...because that is where the big money is. At some point in the future, most PCP's will probably be "imports" from India. We pay twice as much for health care as the rest of the western nations, yet the US ranks way down the list in terms of overall quality of care. This study shows the US coming in at number 11 of the 11 nations ranked....and the last time the WHO ranked the nations, the US came in at number 37. If you look up the 10 highest paid careers in the US, 7 out of the top 10 are in the Medical field. Health care costs are the number one reason why Seniors are having trouble financially....and Medicare/Medicaid are quickly headed for some serious financial shortcomings if some major changes aren't made within the next 5 or 6 years.

https://www.internationalinsurance.com/health/systems/
 

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