[asianthree]

you did say you need to find another DR....but still banking that he/she Dr may have been given a letter that you wanted to leave and just signed it..

[Bonny]

Originally Posted by rn1tv

Bonny, my fellow parrot head, believe me, as an RN,BSN at the hospital, I have the respect of most every one of the drs. that practice there; however, we all know that all of the docs in the area are not top notch as I thought mine was. It's not a question of liking me, I am very easy to get along with except when I do not get the health care I expect. It's a question of their competence. I am not a griper, I only expect excellent health care as all of us should. Maybe if you had made several calls to your doc over 7 days regarding a very serious new medication issue with no response, you would better understand.

I have been very lucky ! I had 3 major surgeries in 7 months for 3 different things, 3 different Drs. and 3 different hospitals. The Villages, Leesburg & Florida. Everyone of my Drs. were top notch, thank God, and every hospital experience was wonderful !!!
I'm sure you're a great person, but as we know, not everyone is our cup of tea, nor are we theirs. In the end, hopefully you are happy with you have. Maybe it was one of those blessings in disguise !

[Tweety Bird]

Maybe you won't listen to what your doctor says. Maybe he feels a lawsuit coming on. Maybe your personalities simply do not mesh. Maybe you're confrontational. Maybe he feels he cannot help you. Do you swear at him ? What do you think it is? You must have some kind of clue!

[rn1tv]

Tweety Bird, He is a she ;o). I was not confrontational and have never sworn at a doc as I have much respect for all in the medical field. I think that the decision to "fire" me was made by the office manager without the dr's knowledge but they would not have the doc contact me direct...only her incompetent nurse who couldn't take 5 minutes in a period of 7 days to return my call when I and 2 of my other docs had a serious concern about a medication she had prescribed for me. I must add that I had a CT scan that showed a "significant thrombus (blood clot) in my aorta while I was recently in the hospital and she became my cardiologist. She told me I could be discharged with no mention of the finding. I asked what was her plan regarding this issue and she admitted that she had not picked up on it in the report...blamed it on the radiologist! She also said she would discharge me on blood thinners to treat it but left the hospital (and not to be back for 3 days) without prescribing any medication. Had to call the doc on call for her who had no clue about my medical situation. Had to stay in the hospital longer as a result. And people ask why insurance costs are so high...she was more concerned about her weekend. Guess I should have started looking for a new doc at that point.

[manaboutown]

Remember, half of the physicians out there graduated in the bottom half of their class. (Shudder) Also, office staff can be terrible, and some good physicians hire and retain poor and incompetent staff.

On the other hand noncompliant patients are a problem for physicians who want to "lose" them ASAP.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Tweety Bird

Maybe you won't listen to what your doctor says. Maybe he feels a lawsuit coming on. Maybe your personalities simply do not mesh. Maybe you're confrontational. Maybe he feels he cannot help you. Do you swear at him ? What do you think it is? You must have some kind of clue!

I'm stunned.

[gustavo]

Originally Posted by Applepie

I was fired by my doctor. When I first came to TV I need a primary care phycican. Dr. Rivers was recommended. I saw him, everything was fine, and he told me to return in a year. Which would be in October. The following October I was up north taking care of my dying sister as she had no one else. I did not return to TV until mid December. I got busy with Christmas and forgot about Dr Rivers. I called early in January to make an
appointment and was told I could no longer be a patient of Dr. Rivers and that my records had been deleted from their system. The reason: I failed to follow Dr. Rivers instructions by not returning in October. I tried to explain my issues with my sister but was told it was too late. Find another doctor. Which I did. I suppose it was partly my fault but he could have been more understanding.

Same thing happened to me. But Rivers sent me a certified letter saying he could provide 3 months of "emergency" care then I was canned. I never looked back but the sad thing (for me) was my wife still goes to him. No solidarity.

rn1tv, I must say that I am ashamed of the people who are attacking you when clearly you had a legitimate complaint about your doctor. With an ef so low I don't know how you're still able to work. I also can't believe they discharged you with an aortal thrombus! I'm glad that you now have 3 good doctors working with you to get your health on a better track.

I think doctors' egos get threatened when they have a medical professional for a patient. If we don't look out for ourselves who will? Surely not most of them.

Good luck!

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by gustavo

Same thing happened to me. But Rivers sent me a certified letter saying he could provide 3 months of "emergency" care then I was canned. I never looked back but the sad thing (for me) was my wife still goes to him. No solidarity.

It would seem, Gustavo--from the certified letter you got stating that you would have three months of emergency care--that there may have been some complaints about his professionalism in dropping patients, enough that someone (a lawyer?) advised him to send this letter to dropped patients to, you know, CHA.

[gustavo]

Originally Posted by CFrance

It would seem, Gustavo--from the certified letter you got stating that you would have three months of emergency care--that there may have been some complaints about his professionalism in dropping patients, enough that someone (a lawyer?) advised him to send this letter to dropped patients to, you know, CHA.

Oh, I agree, probably recommended in his program to enhance revenues and how to avoid trouble when you trim the chaff. My sin was I didn't generate enough revenue for him.

[Tweety Bird]

Originally Posted by rn1tv

Tweety Bird, He is a she ;o). I was not confrontational and have never sworn at a doc as I have much respect for all in the medical field. I think that the decision to "fire" me was made by the office manager without the dr's knowledge but they would not have the doc contact me direct...only her incompetent nurse who couldn't take 5 minutes in a period of 7 days to return my call when I and 2 of my other docs had a serious concern about a medication she had prescribed for me. I must add that I had a CT scan that showed a "significant thrombus (blood clot) in my aorta while I was recently in the hospital and she became my cardiologist. She told me I could be discharged with no mention of the finding. I asked what was her plan regarding this issue and she admitted that she had not picked up on it in the report...blamed it on the radiologist! She also said she would discharge me on blood thinners to treat it but left the hospital (and not to be back for 3 days) without prescribing any medication. Had to call the doc on call for her who had no clue about my medical situation. Had to stay in the hospital longer as a result. And people ask why insurance costs are so high...she was more concerned about her weekend. Guess I should have started looking for a new doc at that point.

WOW! I have nothing to say about "she". Sounds like a cover up for something. Who knows. Just start shopping around. Terrible situation.

[rn1tv]

Originally Posted by KittyKat

rn1tv, I must say that I am ashamed of the people who are attacking you when clearly you had a legitimate complaint about your doctor. With an ef so low I don't know how you're still able to work. I also can't believe they discharged you with an aortal thrombus! I'm glad that you now have 3 good doctors working with you to get your health on a better track.

I think doctors' egos get threatened when they have a medical professional for a patient. If we don't look out for ourselves who will? Surely not most of them.

Good luck!

Thanks for your support! I thank God I have a medical background, got my hands on the CT report, and addressed it; otherwise, I could be dead. I wonder how many patients may have similar situations and are totally unaware of an unidentified problem. It's frightening! All my friends ask for copies of their reports and ask me to review (due to terminology) to see if they have reason to be concerned.

[blueash]

I think the simple answer to the question is yes, your doctor can "fire" you, or more properly dismiss you. The doctor is obligated to provide you with ongoing emergency care to give you time to find another provider. The doctor is not obligated to do a routine visit or provide non-urgent care. Providers dismiss patients for many reasons, failure to pay bills, no shows for appointments, non-compliance, and commonly because the physician feels the doctor patient relationship is damaged. This damage may obviously occur due to the actions of either or both sides but once it is damaged the necessary trust is gone and it is best for the patient to seek care elsewhere. I would like to comment on a statement above that your new doctor should not see the clinical notes from your old doctor. I would vigorously disagree with that plan. Any previous notes may be important in ongoing care.

[Mallory Voice]

Originally Posted by rn1tv

I am curious....I was recently "fired" by one of my doctors...has this happened to anyone else?

Yes, it happened when I was in my 30's. I physically proved my doctor wrong about a diagnosis provided me that meant being on a drug for the rest of my life. I did an Edgar Cayce remedy, was totally healed and verified by the same doctor, then the office sent me a dear john letter telling me to go to another doctor. Unbelievable!! Feel it was a blessing - move on to the many great doctors here at TV, especially in the new "Villages Health Care Center System" which provides 24/7 urgent care when needed.
Mallory Voice

[CycleChic]

Years ago my children went to a pediatrician that we all absolutely loved, but his office staff left a lot to be desired. I wrote a lengthy letter to the doctor explaining an unpleasant situation caused by his staff. I received a letter shortly thereafter "letting us go" and "offering to send our records to whomever we choose". I was totally dumbfounded. A few months later I ran into the doctor, he had been told we moved. We had a great conversation that day and ended up returning to him, needless to say, with some staff changes. I would verify who sent the letter.