[NotGolfer]

Originally Posted by Abby10

I'm tellin' ya - you both need to get over to that hospital and straighten that place out!

Seriously, TOTV and TV in general are fortunate to have men of your caliber and experience as resources. I've often wondered myself what sort of healthcare discussions a group of retired professionals could offer TV residents about general topics of concern. CFrance may be onto something here.

This would be absolutely awesome I've said something similar (I think) in the past! Folks (the rest of you)..you need to put "feet" on your complaints rather than just complaining and dissing our wonderful community every which way. It's not profitable to you or anyone else.

[Viperguy]

JMHO. If you have excellent care at home, love your doctors, can make easy appointments, have technology assisted care with email and billing, STAY THERE. This place is a joke. Specialists are booked way out. Primary care is impossible unless you have been here a while or are using Villages Health. I can't so I use Tricare for life. The insurance is GREAT but finding and accessing timely healthcare is almost impossible. The system in Florida is BROKE. Offices are jammed and waits are long. Admin staffs are rude and over worked. I say a gain, if you LOVE your healthcare at home, keep it and stay there!. Heart Bypass surgery in Leesburg was phenominal but follow on care with my pcp and specialty is a JOKE!

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by dbussone

Oh wow! CF, this is a really difficult request for me. Without some detail I’m at a loss right now. Let me see if I can entice Golfing Eagles to get involved in this discussion. He is the epitome of a medical practitioner; I’m more of the process/facility consultant.

GE - can you help out here?


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I guess the part that scares me is Be your own advocate. What things you should know or look up. And how to know if your doctor is going to be your advocate. If you have no medical experience or education, this is a very nebulous statement, Be your own advocate.

The one incident we had was very scary. It looked like death or cancer or other bad news. In fact, it was just an esophageal tear. I would have done anything they told me to do. We were lucky.
(And BTW, TVRH was great, although it was August and no one was in the ER.)

But you can't know what questions to ask or things to advocate for when you have no medical knowledge.

I'm not complaining; just asking. There might not be a simple answer, but I thought there might be some guidelines.

[NotGolfer]

Originally Posted by CFrance

I guess the part that scares me is Be your own advocate. What things you should know or look up. And how to know if your doctor is going to be your advocate. If you have no medical experience or education, this is a very nebulous statement, Be your own advocate.

The one incident we had was very scary. It looked like death or cancer or other bad news. In fact, it was just an esophageal tear. I would have done anything they told me to do. We were lucky.
(And BTW, TVRH was great, although it was August and no one was in the ER.)

But you can't know what questions to ask or things to advocate for when you have no medical knowledge.

I'm not complaining; just asking. There might not be a simple answer, but I thought there might be some guidelines.

It does take work and time but you can advocate for yourself. I have several medical issues and I read up on them. I'm not a genious nor do I understand many things but I get the basics at least so I can ask questions. A good dr. is a team worker and you have to feel comfortable with them. To wait til you have an emergency---THEN---that's trouble and of course it's back to square one. I hope you find the info you need and that everything will work out for you!!

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by NotGolfer

It does take work and time but you can advocate for yourself. I have several medical issues and I read up on them. I'm not a genious nor do I understand many things but I get the basics at least so I can ask questions. A good dr. is a team worker and you have to feel comfortable with them. To wait til you have an emergency---THEN---that's trouble and of course it's back to square one. I hope you find the info you need and that everything will work out for you!!

It is my opinion that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. We three have blood tests and follow up with our PCP (board certified) quarterly. Even then an unexpected electrical malfunction of my heart (ten months after wearing the Holter Monitor for a 24 hour period) threatened my life. BUT I had my PCP and Cardiologist in place when I arrived at the hospital in an ambulance last month

I am very happy with my doctor but not so much with what seems to be an ever changing staff. I think that he is part of a larger business that hires medical staff. Sometimes I think many are products of the very brief medical training you hear touted on TV. I have to suspect they get paid far less than experienced medical staff that are available to hire. Sometimes I feel that they don't understand me because many have English as a second language. Sometimes I don't understand them because my hearing is flawed as well. It doesn't make for the comfortable fit I felt in Cincinnati with my doctor's staff.

I still say that having a PCP who knows your health history and monitors your current health more frequently than once a year is very important if you are over seventy years old.

[billethkid]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

It is my opinion that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. We three have blood tests and follow up with our PCP (board certified) quarterly. Even then an unexpected electrical malfunction of my heart (ten months after wearing the Holter Monitor for a 24 hour period) threatened my life. BUT I had my PCP and Cardiologist in place when I arrived at the hospital in an ambulance last month

I am very happy with my doctor but not so much with what seems to be an ever changing staff. I think that he is part of a larger business that hires medical staff. Sometimes I think many are products of the very brief medical training you hear touted on TV. I have to suspect they get paid far less than experienced medical staff that are available to hire. Sometimes I feel that they don't understand me because many have English as a second language. Sometimes I don't understand them because my hearing is flawed as well. It doesn't make for the comfortable fit I felt in Cincinnati with my doctor's staff.

I still say that having a PCP who knows your health history and monitors your current health more frequently than once a year is very important if you are over seventy years old.

Wholeheartedly agree 100%.
And as mentioned by a previous poster, being as educated as possible about ones self and their personal needs is a definite plus.

I consult with "Dr. Google" on everything in my health back ground and needs. Medicines, procedures, therapies, etc.
Sorting out and using the pertinent information to facilitate asking questions and asking for alternatives (assuming there are any).

I have yet to meet a doctor or medical professional who is not impressed with a prepared patient.

[Abby10]

The last 3 posts are on the right track. This is what I often recommend to family, friends, and customers of mine (just to clarify, I'm a pharmacist currently working in retail) - read up, research, ask questions.

Also, be forthright with your doctor about what you know about yourself relating to your ailment. I have heard people say when they go to the doctor that the doctor should have known this or that. Sometimes your words, your story, is just as important in diagnosing as the doctor's examination and/or testing. How you have actually been feeling, what changes you have noticed most recently, and especially anything that you notice that is out of the norm for you. Remember, we are all different and sometimes what is normal for one person is not the same for another. I think this is valuable information that only you, the patient, would know since you know your body better than anyone else. In other words, don't withhold information that you may think can be helpful to the doctor in diagnosing and evaluating. Not everyone is the same in presentation of illnesses so it is unfair to make judgment on the doctor if the patient is not forthcoming.

I have somewhat of a passion about this because I think both of my parents were guilty of not doing this and suffered some severe consequences as a result. They even kept me in the dark, maybe because I did not live close and they didn't want to worry me, I don't know. But since then (they have now passed on) I feel compelled to help others be their own advocate, or if one is unable for some reason or another, find someone who is willing to advocate for you. This is a really good and important discussion. I applaud those who have brought attention to it on this thread.

[dbussone]

Originally Posted by Abby10

The last 3 posts are on the right track. This is what I often recommend to family, friends, and customers of mine (just to clarify, I'm a pharmacist currently working in retail) - read up, research, ask questions.



Also, be forthright with your doctor about what you know about yourself relating to your ailment. I have heard people say when they go to the doctor that the doctor should have known this or that. Sometimes your words, your story, is just as important in diagnosing as the doctor's examination and/or testing. How you have actually been feeling, what changes you have noticed most recently, and especially anything that you notice that is out of the norm for you. Remember, we are all different and sometimes what is normal for one person is not the same for another. I think this is valuable information that only you, the patient, would know since you know your body better than anyone else. In other words, don't withhold information that you may think can be helpful to the doctor in diagnosing and evaluating. Not everyone is the same in presentation of illnesses so it is unfair to make judgment on the doctor if the patient is not forthcoming.



I have somewhat of a passion about this because I think both of my parents were guilty of not doing this and suffered some severe consequences as a result. They even kept me in the dark, maybe because I did not live close and they didn't want to worry me, I don't know. But since then (they have now passed on) I feel compelled to help others be their own advocate, or if one is unable for some reason or another, find someone who is willing to advocate for you. This is a really good and important discussion. I applaud those who have brought attention to it on this thread.

It’s really nice to hear the advice provided by another healthcare professional.

One other thing I think we should note for the lay people reading threads like this is the availability of public information about physicians, other professionals and facilities. For example, the State of FL can provide a tremendous amount of data if you know where to look.

Before I visit any physician I check out their educational and training background, as well as malpractice cases or the lack of them. Similar information is available on about 40 types of licensed providers - and many facilities types as well.

Get used to checking this type of data on a regular basis. Medicare, The Joint Commission (TJC) and state health departments are also invaluable sources.

Start here and get used to looking around:

FL HealthSource • Health Care Resources for Consumers & Providers



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[Abby10]

One other thing I forgot to mention, when doing your research about disease states, make sure you are using reputable sites. Listed below are 3 very good ones from well known healthcare organizations. The information presented is written more for the lay person so it is generally easy to understand and not bogged down with unfamiliar medical terminology.

Diseases and Conditions Collections | Johns Hopkins Medicine Health Library

Mayo Clinic

Disease & Conditions | Cleveland Clinic

[EPutnam1863]

Originally Posted by billethkid

Wholeheartedly agree 100%.

I have yet to meet a doctor or medical professional who is not impressed with a prepared patient.

When I had my first appointment to establish as a new patient, my PA was impressed by the knowledge I had about my health. She thought I was trained in the field. I explained I made it my business to educate myself as best as I could. She sighed that she wished all her other patients, young and old, did the same.

[EPutnam1863]

Originally Posted by Abby10

One other thing I forgot to mention, when doing your research about disease states, make sure you are using reputable sites. Listed below are 3 very good ones from well known healthcare organizations. The information presented is written more for the lay person so it is generally easy to understand and not bogged down with unfamiliar medical terminology.

Diseases and Conditions Collections | Johns Hopkins Medicine Health Library

Mayo Clinic

Disease & Conditions | Cleveland Clinic

WebMD is pretty good too. Also I have had a lot of very good help from JustAsk.

[EPutnam1863]

Not everyone is the same in presentation of illnesses so it is unfair to make judgment on the doctor if the patient is not forthcoming. per Abby here

Right on! I warned my hip replacement doctor that I was a big bleeder, so they were prepared. After the surgery, the doc said I was correct and he was grateful I had warned him.

[EPutnam1863]

Originally Posted by dbussone

There could be far more than two. Your attending physician in the ER is responsible for coordinating all aspects of your care while you are there - unless, of course, your primary care physician takes over your care at your request. The same works on the inpatient side where a hospitalist would be assigned to care for you...unless.....


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I think it depends how the system is set up and whether the ER is affliated with the hospital. When I was diagnosed with tick disease by the ER, I was transferred to the hospital in the same building because the ER was a separate entity. . The
ER doctor was then out of the picture as indicated by records.

At another time in a different town, I was diagnosed by ER to have a viral infection. I was transported by ambulance to a hospital 15 miles away because the hospital that the ER was affliated with did not have the proper staff and equipment.

So again it depends on the system. I doubt very much that an admitting ER physician would continue to be involved in the care of a patient that is in a hospital miles away - even hours away.

[dbussone]

Originally Posted by EPutnam1863

I think it depends how the system is set up and whether the ER is affliated with the hospital. When I was diagnosed with tick disease by the ER, I was transferred to the hospital in the same building because the ER was a separate entity. . The
ER doctor was then out of the picture as indicated by records.

At another time in a different town, I was diagnosed by ER to have a viral infection. I was transported by ambulance to a hospital 15 miles away because the hospital that the ER was affliated with did not have the proper staff and equipment.

So again it depends on the system. I doubt very much that an admitting ER physician would continue to be involved in the care of a patient that is in a hospital miles away - even hours away.

I’m confused. Was it a true ER you mean was not part of the hospital, or do you mean the ER physicians were not employed by the hospital?

In every state I know, a hospital (with very rare exceptions, like a long term care hospital) must have an integral ER to receive regulatory approval and become licensed. I’m also familiar with Free-standing ERs. But this one is new to me. I learn something every day.

On the last part of your response, I don’t think I implied that an ER physician would continue to be involved in care of a transferred patient. If anything, I believe I stated that an ER doc’s medical responsibility typically ceases when the patient is discharged from that ER.


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[EPutnam1863]

Originally Posted by CFrance

But you can't know what questions to ask or things to advocate for when you have no medical knowledge.

One can very easily obtain medical knowledge, rudimentary or advanced, through the Internet. Whenever I had a medical situation that I knew nothing about, I always made it my business to check it out before going to the appointment. My PCP wished everyone else in town would do same.

So if we have computers or there are libraries with computers, there is no excuse to not gain knowledge on one's own.