Thanks for the input Syd.
You made some points I was trying to and perhaps didn't do so well with.
These eBay/Amazon type reviews really dont have a place in medicine. The physician is defensless and bound by HIPPA (federal laws governing confidentiality).
Never ONCE in private practice was I late (and almost always was late) for anything personal like eating lunch or peeing. It was the patient that went bad in the hospital unexpectedly or the one that came to the office with the heart attack or bleeding wound instead of going to the E.R, or the one that came in for a blood pressure check and just happened to mention they had been suicidal since the death of their spouse.. Did that keep people from being angry? For those with basic compassion and intelligence yes. For some, they frankly said they didn't care if someone else was dying, they were important too (yes they said THAT).
Imagine those same unreasonable people posting whatever they wanted with the physician having no recourse, as if he even had time to pursue that while struggling with the patients' difficulties and the day to day struggle of keeping the office running. It simply is mean spirited and unfare. I interestingly did not hear nearly the clamour to set up sites singing the praises of great doctors.
I'm just saying guys, it is the hardest job I could have ever imangined, and the continous/unrelenting attacks from lawyers, insurance companies, the government, and disgruntled patients is making leaving medicine behind an easier and easier decision for more and more physicians.
Think you have a tough time getting an appointment now? If you couple the virtual dearth of those entering primary care residiencies with those leaving the field and retiring early or changing careers, you aint seen nothing yet.
I could go on for pages about yearly salary cuts for most physicians for the last 5-8 years, the lawsuit issues and more. My point is if you feel the need to attack them you have be prepared for the future consequences. As I said before there are established ways to go about addressing problems that don't encourage anger driven, harmful, indefensible comments.
The physcian can't just ban them from the board they post on if he doesn't agree.
The physician can't just say that he has been asking you to lose 50 lbs and quit smoking for 10 years.
The physcician cant just say how you miss follow up appointments and don't take medicines as ordered.
The physician can't explain that "Jane Doe" shared that her husband is beating her, leading to a longer office visit and referal to proper avenues of help.
If you have problems with your doctor TELL HIM or HER! So many people never do then trash the doctor. We need reminders just like everyone else, and sometimes don't realize the front staff has slipped into bad habits.
If that doesn't work, vote with your pocketbook and go to someone else. And by all means if a loved one or friend asks you your opinion give it, just do so after doing your part to encourage communication and a fair resolution.
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