[nhtexasrn]

Originally Posted by MoseyInn

I won't mention any specific Doctors or offices. I have had 3 doctors and been in two facilities. I was very healthy when I came and still am. 3 of the doctors I had left because they were over worked and both facilities I found to really not care about "me" as a person or patient.
I moved from Maine, had the same physician for 25 years and know that can be duplicated but I am just thrown off at the treatment I have received. I was prescribed 5 new medications for something that was just a seasonal allergy - sent to sleep studies - and made to take drug tests for a "controlled" substance, a sleep aid. At home I saw a doctor once a year. When I got here it has been 6 x a year. Right now I don't want to see another physican - it is stressful
I am just confused - is it me or is this the system ?

My husband and I are both healthy and only visited the Dr. once a year before coming to The Villages. After finding a PCP here, we were scheduled for all kinds of tests which i felt were unnecessary, but were told it's just to establish a "baseline". We went along with that and figured it was probably a good thing, but also had the feeling that they were gouging Medicare. Anyway, after all the tests and blood work etc, they kept trying to schedule us every 6 months for a Dr. visit. We finally said, "look, we are not coming in to this office every 6 months, see you in a year unless we need you" They said OK, and that was that...As far as the care itself, i guess we are satisfied but haven't had any serious problems.

[diamond2005]

Originally Posted by MoseyInn

I won't mention any specific Doctors or offices. I have had 3 doctors and been in two facilities. I was very healthy when I came and still am. 3 of the doctors I had left because they were over worked and both facilities I found to really not care about "me" as a person or patient.
I moved from Maine, had the same physician for 25 years and know that can be duplicated but I am just thrown off at the treatment I have received. I was prescribed 5 new medications for something that was just a seasonal allergy - sent to sleep studies - and made to take drug tests for a "controlled" substance, a sleep aid. At home I saw a doctor once a year. When I got here it has been 6 x a year. Right now I don't want to see another physican - it is stressful
I am just confused - is it me or is this the system ?

When I first moved to TV, I went through similar drills.
They always want to refer you to another physician. I realized the “drill”, and now, I decide.

[Sabella]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

"They don’t have the resume to practice in good healthcare systems"

I'm sorry, I've seen some ignorant medical posts on this site over the years, but this is in the top 3. Why don't you read the profiles of the doctors on TVH web site, and see what their "resumes" are (btw, the correct term is curriculum vitae). My doctor and I practiced in NY together for 30 years, and we could join any "good" healthcare system in the country. There are many other very well trained physicians in TVH, and a few that may not look so good on paper, but are good clinicians anyway. This is why TVH is the #1 rated practice in central and northern Florida and in the top 1% nationwide.

get a job here and are expected X number of patients per hour per day!

Actually, the physicians at TVH are restricted to a patient profile of 1200 and schedule 1/2 hour routine appointments and 1 hour new patient appointments. So yes, X=2

They use the HMO model so the more things they have you do or get tested for the more of Ins Co money they get to keep.

No, the physicians are salaried, and like every other physician in this country they get no "piece" of any lab test or procedure they order (Google Starke laws)

"You also need to take charge of your health and tell these folks no."

And your medical expertise to disagree with a board certified physician regarding appropriate testing is......??????? (yeah, I thought so)

"I’m still wondering how moving to Florida is a healthy choice over all"

For you, it probably isn't. I hear Luxembourg has good healthcare, why don't you give it a try?

Allegedly the 3rd leading cause of death In the US is medical malpractice . Does anyone know if this is true?

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Ladygolfer93

Definitely not you ! Myself and MANY others (you just have not found them yet !) are shocked and dazed by this atmosphere (is it "Florida" or just "The Villages" ?) It' s like a mall here, a retail mall, sell, sell, sell, and sell some more. Medicines "suggested" for things you have never had or thought of, tests, everything you said is true. Never in my life or in my family were we taken to the doctor constantly like it is here. Never did ANY of the doctors in my home town (some were better than others of course but...) NONE of them insisted you come in with NOTHING wrong with you just to take tests and "get a base line" ? If you got flu, or got pneumonia, or fell and may have a broken bone, and you called a doctor, they treated you. They did not start suggesting possible "diseases" that never crossed your mind. "Re-flux disease" ? Do you ever "burp", I can give you a Rx for that. Well, not really, but I suppose I have "burped" once, maybe twice, think it was last Christmas. "Oh, okay, we'll get that fixed, and..... on the way out you pick up another Rx".
No, NO, you are NOT alone, you have every reason to be "confused", and be very very careful, you will find a "REAL" doctor in the sense of the kinds of doctors you had previously, but.... believe me it will take time and patience. It may even be in another town, but do not give up ! Hand in there and GUARD your good health or they will have you on at least 5-7 meds, probably more, and a "sleep test", everyone should have one they say. BE CAREFUL, guard your good health.

AND "Never before" were you as old as you now are. As we age we have more reason to see a physician to monitor our changing health. Do you burp, or have heartburn is a valid screening question for those over fifty. Untreated acid reflux can cause serious issues. When I received chemo for breast cancer I met a man there for cancer of the esophagus which happens when acid reflux is left unnoticed or untreated.

Seeing a doctor for a check up every six months when you are over sixty is very wise indeed. As is getting tests such as those to check thyroid function, sugar levels and how your kidneys are functioning. Also wise to get a colonoscopy if you are over fifty.

I think it very wise to be referred to a specialist for a heart problem or an endocrinologist for thryroid or sugar difficulty or for a dermatologist to look at your skin that is exposed to a lot of sun here in Florida.

All three of us have been very happy with Creekside Villages Health Care.

[bp243]

Is there a female physician who is highly recommended?

[Sontah]

It is not you, it is this horrible system at the villages hospital....very, very poor to say the least. They let people suffer and wallow in waiting area. do not ever go here.

[deestatham@aol.com]

Originally Posted by MoseyInn

I won't mention any specific Doctors or offices. I have had 3 doctors and been in two facilities. I was very healthy when I came and still am. 3 of the doctors I had left because they were over worked and both facilities I found to really not care about "me" as a person or patient.
I moved from Maine, had the same physician for 25 years and know that can be duplicated but I am just thrown off at the treatment I have received. I was prescribed 5 new medications for something that was just a seasonal allergy - sent to sleep studies - and made to take drug tests for a "controlled" substance, a sleep aid. At home I saw a doctor once a year. When I got here it has been 6 x a year. Right now I don't want to see another physican - it is stressful

I am just confused - is it me or is this the system ?

Like you and so many, I’m totally fed up. We moved from Maryland and had the same doctors for years. In 5 years here I had 4 doctors. Finally found one I liked and Lowenkron, the Medical Director fired him because he questioned things that were being done wrong. How do I know? The doctor told me himself offline. If you research Lowenkron, you’ll find that he was fired from his post in Tampa several years ago but he is a friend of the Morse family. This place is a revolving door of doctors and a goldmine for the drug companies. You might consider keeping your doctor up North and just go back once a year. Just my humble opinion based on my own experience here.

[runkcrun]

I agree, there is a culture here that everyone needs to see a Dr. multiple times a year and see a specialist for any little thing. However, we do not have to do everything a Dr. recommends. We are in control and we have a choice. I inform my physician that I will come in yearly and requests my prescriptions be written for 1 year. I ask questions, and listen to what the Dr. is telling me. If I don't think a test or treatment is necessary, I don't it. I research via reputable sources and make my own decisions on my health care.

[MoseyInn]

I agree with you totally ! Where would I find a list? Since my first post I have spoken to more than a dozen people that have had the same experience and 3 of them with the the same clinic. Rivers Family Medicine. I do not feel that my experience is unique and I would like to know why nothing is said or am I just don't know where to look

[MoseyInn]

Is there a place that people take about this - I do always use "follow the money". but at our age and in this place I think it is criminal to take advantage of elders and yes, even the insurance company - we all end up paying when there is abuse

[Florida Fan]

Originally Posted by Carla B

Now, how could you have been with them for 14 years? The Villages Health Care just started about 2012, as I recall.

You're right. I guess it just seems for ever. Comments remain the same. Couldn't be happier.

[MoseyInn]

So do you think it is a culture or system here, in the Villages or Florida - Is it worth doing anything about it. At first I didn't mention it was Rivers Family Medicine but after talking to other people I am not going to protect them. They need not take advantage of us or the Insurance companies that they bill. Right now I think I am just going to use Urgent Care

[MoseyInn]

Totally Totally Totally agree. You have to be responsible for your health. I can be and it sounds like you can also - but what about the people that feel everyone with a medical degree is perfect and they take test after test - needed or not. I have total respect for the medical profession. My cousin is a neurosurgeon in Washington DC and was shocked at the treatment I received at Villages Family Medical, He had never heard of a physician dismissing a patient. It happens here

[MoseyInn]

So what do you think I should do - can anyone change a culture of medical service in this area. I do know that there are some great doctors here but what about the people that just think that they have to settle. I don't know where to turn to make a difference

[MoseyInn]

Thanks for. your reply - it was helpful. I never heard of Luxembourg and will certainly check it out - or the Dr Profiles. That is one of the reasons for the post.
I agree there must be great doctors here and though my experience was unique - except when I started asking around and found that Rivers Family Medicine came up more than once regarding bad treatment. The other place was Mullbury. In a very short time I had 3 doctors - One of the very, very best was Dr. Wald. He and Dr Collette Mercier and Dr Linda Satterlee were outstanding but they left because of the pressure the system put on them - That is why I went to Rivers Family Medicine. I want you to know that I am not just complaining - I was wondering why this was happening in such a short span of time. I was wondering who stands up for people that don't complain - where is the watchdog ? Can you help me with that? Maybe there is such a system out there and I just don't know about it. Thanks for your reply