[TimeForChange]

Have lived in TV for over ten years. In that time we have used four different primary care physicians. In those ten years my wife has been mis-diagnosed twice. The first by a rather popular dermatologist. This Dr. totally missed a cancer in the corner of her eye on the skin. The Dr. blew it off as nothing. If not for USF Health Care in Tampa she could have lost an eye. After the cancer was removed in Tampa her entire eyelid had to be rebuilt with a great plastic surgeon. That was two years ago. In June of this year we thought we had found a good primary care at one of the largest medical groups in TV. We had been going to this Dr. for a year. My wife mentioned to him an issue on one of her breast. He first prescribed a topical cream and in the next two visits another cream and then an antibiotic. My wife took it upon herself to get a biopsy at USF Tampa after her Dr. at Moffitt recommended she do so. As it turns out it was breast cancer and we have due to the TV Dr's missed diagnosis,
failure to review her past medical history and failure to request an immediate biopsy now delayed a mastectomy that will .be required ASAP. My advice is do not totally trust your local PC anywhere. If you have and issue medically that will not go away then go out of TV and the area and get an expert opinion or a second opinion. I am sure there are some good Dr's in TV but still I would go to a major clinic and get an opinion. There are 1200 people a day moving to FL. There are no where near enough great Dr's in the area.

[Gpsma]

Perhaps, TimeForChange, follow your name

[vintageogauge]

There are a lot of good PCP's here but a lot of bad ones too. I had a quack that in 18 months and probably 6 visits never touched me with a stethoscope and he actually once told me to come more often as he needs more billing to stay in business, I never went back. The bad thing about him is that he's still here after 2 years since I found a good one. If I see a "Walk-in's Welcome" sign I stay away, any good PCP will not have time for walk-ins.

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by vintageogauge

There are a lot of good PCP's here but a lot of bad ones too. I had a quack that in 18 months and probably 6 visits never touched me with a stethoscope and he actually once told me to come more often as he needs more billing to stay in business, I never went back. The bad thing about him is that he's still here after 2 years since I found a good one. If I see a "Walk-in's Welcome" sign I stay away, any good PCP will not have time for walk-ins.

I would like to tell you it only happens in The Villages but it happens everywhere. Four people in our family, including in-laws, have not been correctly diagnosed with cancer even though they were screened through annual tests or specific office visit to assess a medical problem. There are these nightmare stories everywhere.

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by TimeForChange

Have lived in TV for over ten years. In that time we have used four different primary care physicians. In those ten years my wife has been mis-diagnosed twice. The first by a rather popular dermatologist. This Dr. totally missed a cancer in the corner of her eye on the skin. The Dr. blew it off as nothing. If not for USF Health Care in Tampa she could have lost an eye. After the cancer was removed in Tampa her entire eyelid had to be rebuilt with a great plastic surgeon. That was two years ago. In June of this year we thought we had found a good primary care at one of the largest medical groups in TV. We had been going to this Dr. for a year. My wife mentioned to him an issue on one of her breast. He first prescribed a topical cream and in the next two visits another cream and then an antibiotic. My wife took it upon herself to get a biopsy at USF Tampa after her Dr. at Moffitt recommended she do so. As it turns out it was breast cancer and we have due to the TV Dr's missed diagnosis,
failure to review her past medical history and failure to request an immediate biopsy now delayed a mastectomy that will .be required ASAP. My advice is do not totally trust your local PC anywhere. If you have and issue medically that will not go away then go out of TV and the area and get an expert opinion or a second opinion. I am sure there are some good Dr's in TV but still I would go to a major clinic and get an opinion. There are 1200 people a day moving to FL. There are no where near enough great Dr's in the area.

Agree about the overall poor quality of health care in TV. We knew it wasn't ranked all that high when we decided to move here but, apart from dental care, the medical care here is pretty hit-and-miss. Coming from a part of the country where the complete opposite is true (Minnesota, doctoring at Mayo Clinic) the difference, in virtually every area, is astounding.

I don't think it is (necessarily) the doctors. My current doctor (for maybe 8 more weeks), aside from being arrogant and condescending, seems pretty knowledgeable. The clinic support staff though (techs, front office people) are across-the-board bad. I joked with my wife awhile back that it has reached the point where I am surprised when something goes RIGHT. Numerous prescription errors that take weeks to straighten out, erroneous entries in my medical information, impossible to reach by phone, etc. etc. have convinced me to change doctors. My wife is pretty happy with her doctor at Cleveland Health, so he will become my primary come November.

[Michael G.]

I told my wife if there's any question/doubt that needs a 2nd opinion about my health, take me
straight to Mayo clinic in Jacksonville.

By the end of the day, you will know what your prognoses is immediately and their treatment program.

Geee, I wonder if that had something to do about us waiting in TV hospital emergency for 8 1/2 hours.

[Stu from NYC]

We are happy with our quality of care, unfortunately our primary care physician is no longer taking new patients.

[Jewelz]

I am so sorry to hear of your wife’s diagnosis and of all the problems with Physicians you’ve had around The Villages. I am so glad that she went and got checked out by other physicians and was able to get diagnosed correctly. Many prayers go out to you both as she goes through her surgery and recovery.

[SusanStCatherine]

Thank you for speaking out! I totally agree. Be proactive in your Healthcare. I'll be seeking a new third dermatologist and second new dentist. I found a second eye doctor I like. I call it doc hopping but I don't put up with providers who are not adequately providing while I am paying a great amount.

[jimschlaefer]

It's really hard to get good answers at times. One big burr under my saddle is when someone says they identified a really bad service provider but refuse to name names. So what good is identifying someone who maybe has an office on the moon as far as information goes. You may be reluctant to name names, but it helps everyone if you do. When folks ask for help, help. Don't just advise or imply.

[Reeds]

Be careful with Cleveland Healthcare. This is our PC office and we are looking elsewhere. The office is run horribly. They NEVER answer the phone and they NEVER call you back when you leave a voicemail! I even submitted an appointment request via the patient portal (since it seems preferable to them) over a week ago. Still haven't heard back from anyone. Good luck!

[Maybelle]

Originally Posted by Michael G.

I told my wife if there's any question/doubt that needs a 2nd opinion about my health, take me
straight to Mayo clinic in Jacksonville.

By the end of the day, you will know what your prognoses is immediately and their treatment program.

Geee, I wonder if that had something to do about us waiting in TV hospital emergency for 8 1/2 hours.

I waited for TWO days! Turns out I got better care in the ER than I did on the second floor.

[Fuzzyjourneyfan]

I feel your pain. Either I find a good doctor with a terrible staff or the opposite. Instead of naming poor doctors, can we start naming doctors / practices that we think are great! I'm willing to go outside The Villages. Recently, after a sub-par office visit where the entire physical exam (first time visit) took about one minute (not exaggerating), the office sent me notes of what occurred during the visit. About 90% of what was written in the notes never happened. Grrrrr....

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Fuzzyjourneyfan

I feel your pain. Either I find a good doctor with a terrible staff or the opposite. Instead of naming poor doctors, can we start naming doctors / practices that we think are great! I'm willing to go outside The Villages. Recently, after a sub-par office visit where the entire physical exam (first time visit) took about one minute (not exaggerating), the office sent me notes of what occurred during the visit. About 90% of what was written in the notes never happened. Grrrrr....

Wow sad that they would lie about the appt.

[Keninches]

If in doubt, seek another opinion. You have to be your own advocate. We go to Moffitt for everything and you don’t have to have a referral.
My wife and I both are patients there.