:bigbow:

It appears that houses in The Villages sell much quicker than medical appointments can be made.

I sure hope that the building of new medical care facilities and finding and relocating professional medical personnel can keep up with the pace of homebuilding.

First class healthcare was not something we were thinking about when we decided to move to The Villages and in hindsight we still would have moved. That might have been different if we were older or less healthy but the lifestyle was what was and is most important to us.

I remember about the time we were planning a move here...or maybe "just" before that---we had a conversation with a friend who was in health-care. She had been a liason between doctor/hospitals and insurance as an RN. Her comment was that FL and AZ were two of the states that weren't considered to be ones with "state of the art" (my words) health-care. Back then (around 2008 or so) she said it was tough to find ins. that would cover etc. We knew when we moved here that it "might" be tough to find a good provider (we were fortunate and did, thank God). We're also quite happy with our insurance coverage as well. I guess we were looking more at the good weather and the life-style we'd be moving towards and we haven't regretted it.

I was in the emergency room the other day and was taken back to a hallway, as all rooms were taken. That didn’t stop them from taking blood and vitals and I was admitted within a couple of hours. The emergency staff was able to diagnose correctly, where my PCP failed and they ended up saving my life. I had an excellent experience.
I am so sorry for your loss.

There is nothing any of us or the Morses can do about that. The Morses can build buildings. Medical personnel have got to want to move here. I am more concerned about the quality of medical personnel who decide to move to Florida and HOW they are accredited or licensed. What constitutes the criteria.

There was a doctor who moved here from the Carolina's who had been in trouble there for substance abuse. She is practicing here now after an arrest on 466A with a LOT of pills in her car.

I know NOTHING about how Florida accredits physicians, but I would like to know more and get behind some legislation to update and improve the quality of physicians allowed to practice here. This is not researched...just a general feeling by an old woman whose child has had stellar medical care for many things in the North for over fifty years. In fact we just returned from Cincinnati for one of her medical check ups.

This idea of Florida has sub par health care is bogus in my opinion. There are good and bad doctors everywhere. We seniors are totally advantaged here. The doctors here are primarily working with an elder population. Why wouldn't they be keeping their skills up biased toward the demographics Vs your hometown ? Also 90% of the medical personal just like the population comes from somewhere else with their experience. Do you not believe they share their experience and knowledge ? I have had nothing but great health care here but I've done my research just like I would have anywhere else I've lived.

I am looking for a new PCP, who was yours?

health-care
 

To the OP...I'm so very sorry for your loss! It's got to be incredibly hard for you and I pray for comfort for you during this time. To be so new here must have made it all the more difficult.

I included the posts above however, as I agree with them on everything they share. We hear so many who share their negative experiences but there are also many who've been happy with their care here. We do live in a rural setting despite the splendor of our community....so to expect "world class" care here is futile IMHO. For that---you'll need to go back to the communities that have that. Cosmopolitan........

Personal Experience
 

The best measure of what you will get is what had been done. My wife was diagnosed with Pancreas cancer and a abdominal tumor in the villages by a Dr. We immediately
went to Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville for a second opinion. Results: After 6 hours of surgery no Pancreas cancer, no abdominal tumor. BUT: Stage 3 Uterus cancer with 8 Lymph Nodes also involved. Suggestion: Immediate surgery. Results: Surgery completed and all indications of cancer removed. After 2 of 3 months cancer tests she is completely cancer free and if she can go one more year with same tests results she will be considered CURED by Mayo clinic standards. Had she continued with the Villages Medical community it is an open question as to how long she would have lasted. The question is still why would anyone rely on the villages medical community when within 2 hour and 45 minutes you have one of the very best medical facilies Some other poinst: How many have waited in a Dr. waiting room for an hour or so in The Villages. At Mayo when a Dr appointment is is scheduled you will see that Dr at that time. If you will exceed 3 days for a treatment (transplants, radiation chemo, etc) you can apply to stay at the Gabriel House which can accomondate 28 patients with beautiful rooms, kitchens, etc etc and the cost is $45 a night and you must have a 24/7 caretaker with you which is included in the $45. The portal you will receive will allow you to see the results of your various tests, (e.g. blood, cat scans, MRi's etc etc) when the Dr receives them. Depending upon the problems you may have a team of 3 physicans who will meet with you when you go to the clinic. As you can see there are wonderful treatments and care within 2 hours and 45 minutes away. The question is whether your health is worth the effort to get some of the best?:shrug:

I don't understand - did the Mayo Clinic diagnose it was uterine cancer Vs pancreatic cancer and an abdominal tumor before the surgery or discover it as as part of the surgery ? Were you told there was nothing that could be done by the first Doctor here in The Villages ?

Good questions. People are given information about their health and sometimes do not absorb it correctly. The two of us go together so we have a better chance of hearing correctly and asking the right questions.

Some people do not know much about the function of the human body and they will hear rumors and innuendos from others and repeat them as fact. I have never ever heard any oncologist use the word "cured".

We consult many different doctors here and some are foreign born. That doesn't mean they are inferior but it does sometimes mean that they are more difficult to understand.

I am satisfied with our health care overall, but sometimes find myself annoyed at how the offices are run here with many people employed who have graduated from one of those short term programs, rather than the R.N.s that our doctors in Cincinnati employed.

I have over 45 years health care experience. We travel outside the villages for quality health care. As a generalization, the quality of heath care in and around the villages is simply okay and less than great.

I did a yellow page search for "doctors" in The Villages and got 1542 hits. Approximately how many real life experiences with doctors in The Villages is your "generalization" based upon ?

Healthcare in The Villages, my take. Don’t, none but a good GP. Make sure you get blood tests every 3 months, if any problems head to Tampa, West Palm and/or points North. Healthcare here is for the lack of a better word, sucks. Any MD specialist that knows his/her sh*t won’t set up shop around here. That is a fact.


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Previous Question
 

Village mis diagnosis was done BEFORE Mayo Surgery. Cancer was found by MRI at Mayo when we went for a second opinion. Surgery was after all pre surgery tests and exams and was done robotically and normal surgery procedure where and when needed. This was followed by 6 weeks of radiation at Mayo.:smiley:

I know I share the happiness of this good outcome with every soul who read your posts about it.

Daughter Helene and I are cancer survivors. I pray to live to see all cancer obliterated.

I hope that all people who are diagnosed with cancer find the best place to treat it. Mayo is EXCELLENT.

Are you saying The Villages diagnosed pancreatic cancer and an abdominal tumor without a MRI an told you do nothing next ? They did not refer you to someone else ? I too am a cancer survivor. My GP gave me a list of possible problems for the symptoms and thought cancer was not highly likely due to my young age (at the time) but sent me to a specialist who found it. I don't consider that a misdiagnosis. Are we saying the same thing here ?
If this is the scenario please send me a note with the doctor's name so I can steer clear of him/her. I am happy for you wife's results. I had stage 3 cancer 12 years ago and still here- pass that on to your wife.