[Talk Host]

I find it to be so maddening that in order to make an appointment with a doctor, you have to leave your name and number on an answering machine and they will call you back at their convenience. That means you now have to sit around and wait for the call. If you miss it you are out of luck. What's next, "Hello, you have reached 911, please listen to our options, as they have changed recently. If you are having chest pains, push 1. If you have been cut by a chain saw, push 2. If you are trapped under a bulldozer, you'll have to call back during regular office hours of 9 to 5.....Good bye."

[graciegirl]

Jan

:dontknow:

Don't have that problem here in West Chester, Ohio.

[chelsea24]

Jan. I took care of my dad for many years in Illinois. If I called a doctor and his receptionist put me on hold, without asking me if I COULD hold, I would never go back. Consequently, in my husbands clinic (veterinarian) if I heard a receptionist answer that way, they were fired on the spot. They had been warned about this when they were hired.

These menu's, especially at doctor's offices are one of my pet peeves. Many times when people call, they are at their most vulnerable, feeling sick or confused. I did find a great doctor here in the Villages. Even on her day off, she calls you back within minutes. And all of her staff, except one, could work for me easily. A very caring, efficient group.

Customer service in all types of businesses comes first with me. It's a nationwide trend I fear.

[Talk Host]

Don't you just know it.......I stepped outside to pull a weed out of the flower bed and the doctors office called back and I missed the call. they left a message for me to call back and when I called, I got that ****ing answering machine again.

[graciegirl]

Call Chelsea and see if Vetman can fix it. ;D

Oh I am sorry. The devil made me say that. :dontknow:

Oh Jan, don't throw me out. :cop:

I know this is serious. I would switch Doctors. :redface:

[islandgal]

The one irritating thing I have encountered since moving here, is when you call a doctor after hours or weekends, there is no one to cover for them or an answering service to relay the call.
I wouldn't be calling unless it were urgent - not urgent enough for the Emergency Room but enough to get a quick answer or solution that shouldn't have to wait overnight or a weekend.
Never experienced that before. Maybe that, too, is a sign of the times.

They all say, In Case of An Emergency, Dial 911.
That just blows me away. Maybe I have the wrong doctors. :dontknow:

[barb1191]

WOW Jan....... Did you hit a sore spot with me!! Totally agree with you.

Bill and I decided to become full-time residents in TV, after having been snowbirds for a number of years. When we attempted to find drs (specialists), no easy task, we were totally disenchanted and so returned to the snowbird status because of the very very poor medical attention in FL.

Having a terminal illness, I really didn't feel that any of the medical care I received in FL didn't come close to the great care I had experienced in Boston. Was told by one oncologist to just wait it out and then go to hospice!! I walked out of that dr's office having the feeling of being handed a death sentence! Now back in Boston, with the best medical care, has given me hope as they take the pro-active approach.

Another thing I noticed is that the gp's in FL seemed to have no equipment in their offices, merely take your vitals and send you to various specialists as needed. Guess I'm used to going to a dr who's office is fully equipped with various testing devices. It seems there's the dr and a computer, a receptionist and a nurse who takes your bp and pulse.

This experience is not to discourage others, however, be your own advocate and insist on what's best for you.

barb

[billethkid]

I find it to be almost exclusive (almost!!) to TV.

The demand is so great they do not have to do what others in their profession do to provide satisfactory service.
And this also does not apply to all the physicians here. I find if you mention it to the doctor, he will often times not be aware of the short comings his staff has introduced into the process to make their job easier.

The other irritation when a new arrival is can take months to get an appointment. Even doctors who advertise they are taking new patients, it is not uncommon to be one plus months out.

I have resorted to specialists with offices in and around MRMC South of Ocala just off SR 200. The Ocala physicians/specialists do not have the pent up demand as in TV. Then I book one of those far out appointments with one in TV I would like to eventually wind up with. I will not go without the appropriate and TIMELY care because of TV bottleneck.

The physician location problem overall is also exacerbated when trying to find one that speaks understandable English!!!

BTK

[chuckinca]

Originally Posted by Talk Host

I find it to be so maddening that in order to make an appointment with a doctor, you have to leave your name and number on an answering machine and they will call you back at their convenience. That means you now have to sit around and wait for the call. If you miss it you are out of luck. What's next, "Hello, you have reached 911, please listen to our options, as they have changed recently. If you are having chest pains, push 1. If you have been cut by a chain saw, push 2. If you are trapped under a bulldozer, you'll have to call back during regular office hours of 9 to 5.....Good bye."

Jan:

We don't even call 911 in the Norcal Bay area - the phone just rings and rings without an answer. Have to call the local police or fire dept to get any emergency response.

[SteveFromNY]

Jan, this seems to be the trend not just with doctors though. Lots of service folks do it too. I hate it. When I call, I want to talk to someone, even if only to be sure they got the message. When I do leave a message, I leave my cell number and carry that with pretty religiously.

[graciegirl]

I think Barbara stated the facts about medical care in Florida very wisely. Unfortunately the "meccas" of certain specialties are not in Florida. My folks who lived in Venice would schedule quarterly trips to Ohio. I think that we will as well. I don't want it to be so, but it is.

If you have a life threatening cancer than you should be flying to Anderson in Texas, or Sloan Kettering in New York. If you have a cardiac issue that is dangerous, fly to Cleveland Clinic




This is my opinion. Please don't jump on me. I am having a bad day. I fell off the toilet. :joke:

[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I am having a bad day. I fell off the toilet.

You're just begging for this post to go off topic with that statement :joke:

Not as serious as falling off the wagon but I hope that you are OK.

As far as the topic goes - My PCP just put one of those in. But usually you can circumvent by dialing '0' and get to the secretary.

[Shirleevee]

In days gone by..........we had a, "family" doctor. He gave shots, took x-rays, tested blood and urine in office. My oldest son received his allergy shots from him. His wife was an OB-Gyn and took care of womens needs.

Today, I go to my Primary doctor, (if I can get through to make an appointment), he takes my blood pressure and anything else is referral-ed out to other doctors, that I have to pray will answer their messages..............

911 ??? When my husband had a heart attack in 2001, 911 informed me that our address did NOT exist........well, where have we been living for the last 35 years? Thank G-d for the NYFD/NYPD
New trends equal FRUSTRATION!!!!!! IN ANY STATE

Shirleevee

[billethkid]

There is an MD Anderson extension in Orlando.

There are a substantial amount of specialties in the medical field in and around Miami.

When my wife needed a specialty surgery, one of the only places in the country that could handle what she needed was at the Miami University Hospital.

A lot closer than ANY points North. I would venture to say almost anything you needed back home (some where up North) is available here in FL. The drive is much shorter and no snow!!!

BTK

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by billethkid

There is an MD Anderson extension in Orlando.

There are a substantial amount of specialties in the medical field in and around Miami.

When my wife needed a specialty surgery, one of the only places in the country that could handle what she needed was at the Miami University Hospital.

A lot closer than ANY points North. I would venture to say almost anything you needed back home (some where up North) is available here in FL. The drive is much shorter and no snow!!!

BTK

I am delighted to stand corrected! :bigthumbsup: