Medical Assembly Line

[Richard1366]

Being new to The Villages my prescription drugs (for cholesterol and blood pressure) were running out and I needed a doctor. Picked out an internist group and got an appointment to see a doctor. Filled out the forms, additional history was taken by an asst. then I was seen by a doctor. He knows nothing about me, he asked a couple of questions, listened to my heart, thumped my chest and back and listened to me breath in and out, felt my stomach then said "see you in 4 months."

Nothing was said about getting blood tests so that additional important information about the status of my health could be determined. No test for the status of my chloresterol, blood sugar levels, prostrate health, etc. etc. Seemingly as one ages, it is important to have a medical base line so that my changing health over the coming years could be determined.

I realize that the opposite of this is for a doctor to have a patient take a bunch of tests that are not really called for, but a base line blood series seems very important.

I would suspect that the next 4 month visit would be the same routine, don't think I'll be going back to him.

[Mikeod]

That does seem cursory. Perhaps the appt was designated as Rx refill so the Dr. was prepared to just check vitals and refill the meds. I know on our first visit we had a similar experience, but we were given lab work to get and the results were discussed with us at our next visit. We were told if anything was out of the normal range we would be notified and seen sooner.

So, changing providers may not accomplish what you want. I think I would contact the office and ask why no labs were ordered as a result of your first visit.

[gomoho]

I think you should name this group so the rest of us aren't taken as well. I once had a physical in North Carolina where the doctor never put a hand on me. It's not just TV it is the state of medicine today. Doctor's have to see a million patients a day to pay their outrageous student loan and malpractice insurance so we in turn pay the price. Go figure. Hopefully TV's affiliation with the University of South Florida will improve things for us. We'll see.

[BarryRX]

I prefer we don't know the name of the group. Unless the MD has a chance to respond, we will not have a chance to understand why he did what he did.

[jimbo2012]

I don't think the OP has to consider the Dr's ability to respond, they are simply reporting their experience.

U would hide their identity if it was your lawncare Co, tell us the Dr's name.

But I will say in the Dr's defense why didn't the patient ask the Dr on the spot what he was doing rather than just leave the office, he was paid for a service.

The issue I suppose is what is the standard of care and was it met.

[gerryann]

I had a situation weekend before last....different scenario, but similar situation. I let a problem that I was having get too serious and I realized late on a Friday afternoon that I wouldn't be able to go through the entire weekend without addressing my problem. I did call the doctor that I had seen about 6 weeks prior for an introductory visit and I did like her but I called too late and she was unable to see me. .....so, I went to urgent care. I gave the assistant all of the info required and waited for the doctor to come in the room. When he came in, he had prescriptions already written out on a clipboard. I barely spoke to this man. He was relying solely on what I had told the assistant. He handed me four scripts. One for a UTI......I didn't have one and never implied that I did. One for congestion....no problem there either. An antibiotic....don't know if I needed that or not. And a stomach muscle relaxer that I did need. I had to pay cash for this visit..which only added salt to the wound. Needless to say, first thing Monday morning I followed up with my doctor.

Are situations like this gonna get better or worse in the next 4 years??

[perrjojo]

I find this confusing...most posters complain about the doctor ordering test. As patients we need to communicate with our providers. If we think we need more testing, we should ask for it. If we think testing is unnecessary, we should question it. This opens a dialogue with the physician and helps to get the care we desire. Perhaps the physician can explain why the testing was needed or not needed.

[IndianaSam]

Wow send me a pm of the name of that Dr. As I had a completely different experience after moving here. Came here completely healthy and by the time I left the doctors office in tears thought I might not be around long. This is crazy how many test our ran here for WHAT??? More Money!!

[gomoho]

I find this confusing...most posters complain about the doctor ordering test. As patients we need to communicate with our providers. If we think we need more testing, we should ask for it. If we think testing is unnecessary, we should question it. This opens a dialogue with the physician and helps to get the care we desire. Perhaps the physician can explain why the testing was needed or not needed.

Oh he prescribed plenty of tests for me. My point was he did all this without ever laying a hand on me. Interestingly my appointment with the doctor was on a Monday and was scheduled for my annual physical. I told him I had had terrible stomach pain all weekend and was vomiting. He apparently never made note of that because when my blood work came back with out of sight liver enzyme numbers he called me and said he suspected I had alcohol induced cirrhosis when if he had only been paying attention would have properly suspected gall bladder. Yep that was the problem which I ended up diagnosing myself and confirming it with him.
He was let go not long after that. I am assuming I wasn't his only misdiagnosis.

[blueash]

To the original poster, did your new doctor ask in the many forms you signed for a release of medical records from your previous doctor. If so, there may well have been no need for any lab work at your visit. If you have been followed in the past with a steady and acceptable response to your medications it is reasonable to continue on them while awaiting your old records and not order lab work that is not going to change management and is mearly costly and duplicative. The doctor already knew if the BP meds were working as they checked it.