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Post by peasapie on Oct 16, 2019 1:01:51 GMT
Doctors, nurses, and other staff are already overloaded with administrative crap that I don’t intentionally make it more difficult. Many of these questions are asked because they have to be in order to meet regulatory and/or insurance requirements. Computers aren’t perfect so I’m usually ok if they want to ask me the same questions they’ve asked before. They can’t go through every patient record to see if that section is already filled out or not. It’s probably just easier for me to answer the questions about myself and they can update the computer if needed. If they're overloaded with administrative crap, they should acknowledge that their patients are, too, and stop giving us reams of paperwork to fill out when they're just going to ask the same questions when they see us. I've started responding "it's on your forms" when they ask me questions I've already answered. I'm not going to the trouble to look up things twice because they're too lazy/overbooked to read the forms. What would be even better is if they allowed the patient to update their own information on the computer and then they can review it as necessary. Totally agree. Half the time the people in the office don’t even look at the info on my paperwork, and repeating it orally after writing it down dutifully just reinforces that they are wasting my time. (Especially after I waited an hour for my appointment.).
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FurryP
Drama Llama
To pea or not to pea...
Posts: 6,955
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 19:58:26 GMT
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Post by FurryP on Oct 16, 2019 1:13:55 GMT
The only thing I can think of is that I don't give them my DH's personal information on the new patient forms they make you fill out. I am an adult. You don't need my "dad's" information!
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Post by bc2ca on Oct 16, 2019 2:43:59 GMT
My only act of defiance was to refuse to take a pregnancy test before recent surgery. Interesting--I've never been given a choice. They run it with other pre-surgical labs. I said it was unnecessary when the labs were ordered and then while in surgical prep the nurse noted it's absence on my file and offered it again. I declined again. When the OR nurse came to take me and the file, they had a little discussion and asked me to sign a waiver that I'd been offered the test and declined, which I was happy to do. I'm only a few months away from 60, the age at which they stop requiring it.
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ComplicatedLady
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,037
Location: Valley of the Sun
Jul 26, 2014 21:02:07 GMT
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Post by ComplicatedLady on Oct 16, 2019 4:24:04 GMT
Many of these questions are asked because they have to be in order to meet regulatory and/or insurance requirements. Computers aren’t perfect so I’m usually ok if they want to ask me the same questions they’ve asked before. They can’t go through every patient record to see if that section is already filled out or not. It’s probably just easier for me to answer the questions about myself and they can update the computer if needed. Maybe there would be less need for all this nonsense paperwork if anyone would bother to actually LOOK at this stuff. And if they’re not going to do that, then seriously it would save everyone’s time if they just entered it once at the time the person is seen and built that time into the patient visit because they’re already doing it anyway which then slows the whole process down. Here’s where I think we can agree to agree! I’m ok with the Trust, yet verify approach. If a doctor wants to confirm what meds I take before prescribing me something, I’m ok with that. Totally a different story if a doctor is asking me what meds I take when several people have asked already during that visit and they haven’t looked at any of the stuff I or someone in their office has already filled out. There me is a lot of time wasted with redundancy in our health care system. Part of the problem is that everyone is required to ask the same questions but no one seems to trust that someone already asked and updated medical records. (Maybe because half of their patients are being intentionally defiant?? Hopefully everyone reads this as the humor I intended!!)
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tincin
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,363
Jul 25, 2014 4:55:32 GMT
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Post by tincin on Oct 16, 2019 5:20:26 GMT
If they're overloaded with administrative crap, they should acknowledge that their patients are, too, and stop giving us reams of paperwork to fill out when they're just going to ask the same questions when they see us. I've started responding "it's on your forms" when they ask me questions I've already answered. I'm not going to the trouble to look up things twice because they're too lazy/overbooked to read the forms. What would be even better is if they allowed the patient to update their own information on the computer and then they can review it as necessary.This would be by far and away the best case scenario. It’s the patient’s information and patient’s medical/surgical history. I TOTALLY agree that it should be updated WITH the medical team instead of paper forms that have to be transcribed into a computer. That’s a waste of everyone’s time. I do feel like I need to add this—I don’t think the administrative burden should be transferred to the patients. My point was that the staff are being asked to do this by “powers greater than themselves”. I can almost guarantee that they hate making you fill out forms almost as much as you hate it—when they could just ask you and update it real time. Real time isn’t possible though—especially when there are too few clinic MAs and they are having to deal with patients refusing to step on a scale. (Seriously kidding at the end there...maybe a bit of twisted humor? I told my boss today that inappropriate laughter is my coping mechanism. I guess that’s not limited to the office.) The records are are mostly electronic—why are there so many paper forms? It causes so much inefficiency. My ortho surgeons are both in the same practice and they only do computers. You’re giving a site to log into and fill out all the preappointment paperwork. Then they send you and email reminder. Finally when you arrive for your appointment they give you a tablet to sign in with and update any aches, pains, etc. It’s very efficient.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Oct 16, 2019 12:30:59 GMT
Maybe there would be less need for all this nonsense paperwork if anyone would bother to actually LOOK at this stuff. And if they’re not going to do that, then seriously it would save everyone’s time if they just entered it once at the time the person is seen and built that time into the patient visit because they’re already doing it anyway which then slows the whole process down. Here’s where I think we can agree to agree! I’m ok with the Trust, yet verify approach. If a doctor wants to confirm what meds I take before prescribing me something, I’m ok with that. Totally a different story if a doctor is asking me what meds I take when several people have asked already during that visit and they haven’t looked at any of the stuff I or someone in their office has already filled out. There me is a lot of time wasted with redundancy in our health care system. Part of the problem is that everyone is required to ask the same questions but no one seems to trust that someone already asked and updated medical records. (Maybe because half of their patients are being intentionally defiant?? Hopefully everyone reads this as the humor I intended!!) How about ONE person asks, right when you check in, whether your information has been updated within the past 30 days? If not, here’s your mountain of paperwork OR the nurse will ask you about any pertinent changes and enter it once you’re in the room. Our clinic always prompts patients to update their information online prior to the appointment, so *anything* they ask me at the clinic is redundant. They *could* just look it up but they never do.
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Post by kristi521 on Oct 16, 2019 19:01:20 GMT
I may have missed it, but I haven't see anyone mention this one. My act of defiance is that I will not show up 15 minutes early to an appointment. If you want me there 15 minutes early, schedule me 15 minutes early. I do all the paperwork online before the appointment, when given that option, so I am not showing up extra early only to wait in the waiting room or the appt. room. I also understand a doctor being late once in awhile. I do take issue with those that are habitually late, and then tell me to schedule the first appt after lunch and it won't be an issue and still always is.
I assert myself if I don't agree with something a doctor is saying to me, but I don't take that as defiant, I take that as having a vested interest in my own health, and that of my children.
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sharlag
Drama Llama
I like my artsy with a little bit of fartsy.
Posts: 6,574
Location: Kansas
Jun 26, 2014 12:57:48 GMT
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Post by sharlag on Oct 16, 2019 19:03:12 GMT
I may have missed it, but I haven't see anyone mention this one. My act of defiance is that I will not show up 15 minutes early to an appointment. If you want me there 15 minutes early, schedule me 15 minutes early. I do all the paperwork online before the appointment, when given that option, so I am not showing up extra early only to wait in the waiting room or the appt. room. I also understand a doctor being late once in awhile. I do take issue with those that are habitually late, and then tell me to schedule the first appt after lunch and it won't be an issue and still always is. I assert myself if I don't agree with something a doctor is saying to me, but I don't take that as defiant, I take that as having a vested interest in my own health, and that of my children. Me, too on the 15 minutes early. Anything they need from me pre-exam room will take fewer than 5 minutes.
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Post by jubejubes on Oct 16, 2019 20:15:13 GMT
Wow -- A lot of passive-aggressive actions on this thread.
I go to a single family doctor practice in a more rural area. All of my information is on her computers- 2 screens. She can pull up my lab work and emails/faxes my scripts to my pharmacy. I rarely have to wait, as her office manager gives each patient a 10 minute slot.
No forms to fill out or any other BS.
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Dani-Mani
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,706
Jun 28, 2014 17:36:35 GMT
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Post by Dani-Mani on Oct 16, 2019 20:42:50 GMT
I feel really bad for some of the doctors who treat the peas. Some of these things are dangerous or straight up passive aggressive and unnecessary.
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Post by pattyraindrops on Oct 17, 2019 1:52:31 GMT
You know what, lainey ? I think maybe it's because I feel vulnerable there. I'm not uncooperative in general; in fact-- I'm a people pleaser. But somewhere along the way I've come to feel a need to assert myself in medical situations. I don't feel like that at the bank, or the post office. I do understand the need to be assertive when the situation requires you to truly advocate for yourself (or a family member). But finding little ways to be defiant seems silly to me (sorry, Sharla!). I'm only at the doctor because I have an issue I want help with, not because they are forcing me to be there. I want to ask, for example, opening and closing the door, what does that get you? What are you gaining? The staff becoming annoyed is the only outcome you're going to get. They aren't going to move you ahead of another patient because you're a PIA. And when a doctor is running late I try to realize that if I have a need for the doctor to spend a little extra time in my appointment to explain something to me (thus causing a delay in the following appointment(s)), I sure as heck hope they don't rush out of the room, leaving me without feeling fully educated on a diagnosis or treatment just because my 15 min. time limit is up. I actually do feel they are forcing me to be there. I have been a type 1 diabetic for over 40 years. Last year the PA told me after we went through everything that I should be a diabetic educator. I know what I'm doing and I'm not afraid to ask if I have a question and often if I don't know the answer they don't either and have to look it up. But if I want to LIVE I have to keep going back so I can get the prescriptions that I can't live without and the blood tests that will show me how I am doing. And SOOOO many doctors treat you as a child - though I've found that is more common with endocrinologists and internists than with other areas. I understand they have the education and licence etc. There are so many things they know more than me. They have all these examples snd experiences. I just know ME better in a lot of my issues. It's an unbalanced system.
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Post by freecharlie on Oct 17, 2019 2:04:28 GMT
Doctors, nurses, and other staff are already overloaded with administrative crap that I don’t intentionally make it more difficult. Many of these questions are asked because they have to be in order to meet regulatory and/or insurance requirements. Computers aren’t perfect so I’m usually ok if they want to ask me the same questions they’ve asked before. They can’t go through every patient record to see if that section is already filled out or not. It’s probably just easier for me to answer the questions about myself and they can update the computer if needed. If they're overloaded with administrative crap, they should acknowledge that their patients are, too, and stop giving us reams of paperwork to fill out when they're just going to ask the same questions when they see us. I've started responding "it's on your forms" when they ask me questions I've already answered. I'm not going to the trouble to look up things twice because they're too lazy/overbooked to read the forms. What would be even better is if they allowed the patient to update their own information on the computer and then they can review it as necessary. I do this. My endocrinologist has you go online and do a pre-check in. Then I don't have to fill anything out. I never wait at my endocrinologist and if I have to wait at my primary, I know it is because he squeezed someone in who needed a same day appointment due to injury or illness. Even then, he is extremely apologetic and it's never been more than 10-15 min
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Post by scrappintoee on Oct 17, 2019 2:05:02 GMT
I also told them I'm refusing "drug and alcohol counselling" which equates to "how many drinks per week" and similar questions taking all of about 2 minutes and which cost me an extra $40 once. ONCE. I read and re-read this several times, but I still don't understand......Also, besides the other parts I don't understand, why would they charge you an extra 40.00 for answering a question? I've been to wayyy too many doctor's appointments lately; (paying 40.00 co-pays for regular visits, to $125.00 for the emergency room, and $100.00 for a CT scan), so I am VERY curious to understand your post.
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Post by freecharlie on Oct 17, 2019 2:16:51 GMT
I do understand the need to be assertive when the situation requires you to truly advocate for yourself (or a family member). But finding little ways to be defiant seems silly to me (sorry, Sharla!). I'm only at the doctor because I have an issue I want help with, not because they are forcing me to be there. I want to ask, for example, opening and closing the door, what does that get you? What are you gaining? The staff becoming annoyed is the only outcome you're going to get. They aren't going to move you ahead of another patient because you're a PIA. And when a doctor is running late I try to realize that if I have a need for the doctor to spend a little extra time in my appointment to explain something to me (thus causing a delay in the following appointment(s)), I sure as heck hope they don't rush out of the room, leaving me without feeling fully educated on a diagnosis or treatment just because my 15 min. time limit is up. I actually do feel they are forcing me to be there. I have been a type 1 diabetic for over 40 years. Last year the PA told me after we went through everything that I should be a diabetic educator. I know what I'm doing and I'm not afraid to ask if I have a question and often if I don't know the answer they don't either and have to look it up. But if I want to LIVE I have to keep going back so I can get the prescriptions that I can't live without and the blood tests that will show me how I am doing. And SOOOO many doctors treat you as a child - though I've found that is more common with endocrinologists and internists than with other areas. I understand they have the education and licence etc. There are so many things they know more than me. They have all these examples snd experiences. I just know ME better in a lot of my issues. It's an unbalanced system. honestly it is probably an insurance thing. We had to physically go to the doctor for DS to get a new nebulizer for his asthma. My doctor was pissed. He told me if I got a bill not to pay it and that it was ridiculous that after being ds's doctor for 17 years he wasn't allowed just to say that yes ds still has asthma so that insurance would cover the nebulizer. He also said that not long before a patient had to come in to be physically seen to get a new prosthesis for his leg. My doctor was all like "did they think his leg was going to grow back?" He hates the red tape
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Post by scrappintoee on Oct 17, 2019 2:19:50 GMT
I never considered that not being weighed was an option It's fine though.....even though I'm embarrassed by my weight, I know the doc needs to know. But what I HATED was when the (very nice!) Emergency Room doctor asked me my weight from across the room where EVERYONE could hear my answer. I had already told the triage nurse 15 minutes earlier, too. He was busy preparing some scary equipment to "torture" me, so he didn't have access to my info that was on a computer screen out of his view. I'm VERY particular about how all medical people speak** to me---and in this case, truly didn't think it was rude or tacky of him to ask me instead of going to the trouble of finding my chart---- it's totally MY issue, and I own it. I know it's actually dumb/ silly that I don't want to SAY the number out loud, because....as someone used to always say to me: "well, they have an IDEA by just seeing you. plus---they're not there to JUDGE you...they just NEED to know!" ( and I agree!) ===================================== ** off topic, but I'll also share that a very kind nurse used the term "obese" and then backtracked, and said "omg, I am SO sorry I said that!".......I told her she did NOT need to apologize, because it's an accurate, true medical FACT. If she'd said it with a rude tone and/or she seemed to be judging me, it would have been different. For me....a person's TONE / body language means a LOT! I could tell she STILL felt bad after apologizing, so I told her that saying "obese" to describe me is the SAME as saying "white, female, age, etc. "....they're just FACTS.
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Post by chlerbie on Oct 17, 2019 4:40:53 GMT
I really like my doctor's office. I've never felt rushed and they schedule extra time for physicals to really go over everything thoroughly. I always feel like I want to be extra kind and courteous because I'm sure that dealing with so many sick, cranky and/or worried people must get really tiring.
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Post by Eddie-n-Harley on Oct 17, 2019 4:54:38 GMT
I also told them I'm refusing "drug and alcohol counselling" which equates to "how many drinks per week" and similar questions taking all of about 2 minutes and which cost me an extra $40 once. ONCE. I read and re-read this several times, but I still don't understand......Also, besides the other parts I don't understand, why would they charge you an extra 40.00 for answering a question? I've been to wayyy too many doctor's appointments lately; (paying 40.00 co-pays for regular visits, to $125.00 for the emergency room, and $100.00 for a CT scan), so I am VERY curious to understand your post. I suspect that at some point, the visit got billed as an office visit or whatever AND "drug and alcohol counseling," and that meant there was a separate $40 charge for the counseling. So now she refuses the counseling to avoid the $40 charge. Something similar has happened to me-- I went in for my annual physical, which is covered at 100%, but because I had asked about something else that was beyond the scope of the physical, like a cough or something that was bothering me, I also got billed for a regular visit.
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dixielee50
Junior Member
Posts: 92
Aug 3, 2018 19:58:28 GMT
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Post by dixielee50 on Nov 3, 2019 0:13:43 GMT
Former clinic nurse so I am very particular about my care. I have refused return visits many times & have no problem changing providers. I've gone through quite a few but really like my present one.
I called a specialist for results of some tests they ordered. I was told the results were on the doctor's desk but he hadn't looked at them yet. I called back a week later & was told that they never got the results. Make up your mind, which one is it? If they were on his desk one week, then they obviously had received them. A week later they called me with the results. Unfortunately, they weren't my results. They never saw me again.
I agree with not giving out SS numbers. It's surprising how many still ask & use them as patient identifiers.
I have refused many medications. I know my body & know when I don't need unusual meds. A few years ago my cardiologist thought I needed to be on a blood thinner. He decided this after I had left the office so I had no opportunity to question him. He even offered samples. That never happened.
Incidentally, weighing the patient is related to insurance compensation. They can refuse to pay if the patient isn't weighed. They do check. The same applies to measuring height,& blood pressures on kids to name a few. My pet peeve was having to ask questions related to depression & suicide. They don't give enough time to address it appropriately & I always felt that this was something the doctor should be addressing.
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dixielee50
Junior Member
Posts: 92
Aug 3, 2018 19:58:28 GMT
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Post by dixielee50 on Nov 3, 2019 0:37:04 GMT
I forgot to add, I refuse PAP tests. I am 69, obviously not in the age group likely to be diagnosed with cervical cancer, monogamous, & oh, I don't even have a cervix. However, I am still asked. I used to work with a gyn who insisted on PAPs for his very elderly patients, ladies who couldn't even get their feet into the stirrups. Even though midicare pays every 2 years, he'd still recommend it & they had to pay.
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Post by mama2three on Nov 3, 2019 23:40:29 GMT
When it asks how often I drink, and the lowest option is “weekly,” I just put “don’t drink” because I only drink occasionally. Between the two options, it’s the more accurate answer. But I always feel like I’m lying though lol. last time my doctor asked me that, I told her I have a drink every few months...she marked doesn't drink The last time I told the doctor I only had about a half glass of wine maybe once a month or less he wrote down I was a moderate drinker. Damn. What does that make DH who has at least 2-3 glasses every night?
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Post by hennybutton on Nov 4, 2019 0:29:20 GMT
I seldom let them weigh me, my weight is within 5 pounds each way of a specific weight, why bother. For my yearly physical I do let them weigh me. The nurse now asks me if I’m weighing today. 😄 I don’t give them my SSN, they don’t need it. They only use it if you don’t pay your bills. I pay mine. I don’t list all my surgeries either. I don’t think that the doctor knowing I had my tonsils out in fourth grade is really relevant to any current issues I may be having. I’m not taking my statins either. I have always had high cholesterol and it’s almost always the same number give or take 3 either way. It shot up 30 points this year and I feel it’s because I’ve been injured and can’t do anything. He insisted on prescribing them. They are sitting in my medicine bin. I told him that once I can move again I will have it retested and if it’s still high I will try them. I think it will drop substantially when I’m back to my normal activities. Check and see if they're using the new method to calculate cholesterol. I had high cholesterol for the first time ever this year. There was a note saying they were using a new calculation that was supposedly more accurate. When I looked it up, I found that it calculates cholesterol at higher levels than the old test. I choose to not worry about it.
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Post by MalleyCat on Nov 5, 2019 6:59:32 GMT
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Post by VanC on Nov 5, 2019 7:47:37 GMT
Apparently I'm some kind of bad@$$ rebel! I've refused pelvic exams for the last 32 years. I went thru surgical menopause at age 26 and literally everything was removed at that time. I also refuse to let the nurse do a finger stick I do my own they don't seem to realize that you don't have to stab people to get 1 tiny drop of blood! If I let them do it I don't stop bleeding for the entire visit I was on HRT for a few years and felt totally miserable I finally figured out that I wasn't producing certain hormones before my hysterectomy so I for sure didn't need them after. I felt a lot better when I stopped all that crap. I refuse BP readings until they bring the extra large fluffy sized cuff and if they insist I raise a stink. I deal with neuropathy and my whole arm turns purple with a regular cuff.the test is supposed to be uncomfortable not cut off all circulation to your hands. It baffles my mind that an endocrinologists office who deals with overweight diabetics 3 out of 4 patients doesn't have a big one for every exam room.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 24, 2024 6:11:51 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2019 12:27:41 GMT
This thread is fascinating. I have had to go to a fair number of different doctors over the years and I would say that there have been a few times that it leaves me feeling misunderstood, invalidated or judged...it is such a vulnerable experience and if the person is not trained or has no people sense there is not a lot I can really think to do in that moment. Sometimes I write out my encounter afterwards to make sure I remember everything the doctor said and just to process it. sometimes just a weird waiting room atmosphere concerns me...one time recently the lady answering the phone got very heated.I have not said anything in the moment because it takes me awhile to process things. I wonder if there is a book about this topic...someone should publish one and give it to medical professionals!
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