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Post by bianca42 on Sept 23, 2020 2:10:02 GMT
I know around here the medical staff are tested weekly. If you doctor wears a mask it is to keep from transmitting covid. If they test negative they don't have it to give to you. Still I would ask why they don't wear a mask. I'd ask the nurse. All this means is that the doctor didn’t have it the day they were tested. Test Monday morning, exposed Monday afternoon and possibly spread for a week until the next test.
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Post by librarylady on Sept 23, 2020 2:15:59 GMT
I have seen an eye doctor and a dermatologist since March. Both were wearing masks and shields. Eye doctor made everyone wear gloves. Before we went into the waiting area, we had to apply sanitizer to the gloves.
I would never return to the physician who was not wearing a mask. I would probably write a letter telling him why I left his practice.
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Dani-Mani
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,709
Jun 28, 2014 17:36:35 GMT
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Post by Dani-Mani on Sept 23, 2020 2:25:54 GMT
At the height of COVID, a local doctor tested positive after shopping and carrying on and taking zero precautions.
Before he knew he was positive, he saw a patient in his office for a routine visit, infected the patient, and the patient later died.
I wouldn’t be going back to that doctor.
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Post by MsChiff on Sept 23, 2020 2:50:22 GMT
I'm in an area where there are minimal cases of covid. My doctor require you to call when you arrive. They ask questions about where you've been, if you have any symptoms, etc. If you pass that test, the nurse then comes out to your car and takes your temperature. If that is OK, they take you inside. Patients of different doctors use different entrances. EVERY employee is masked, including the doctors. The doctors do not come near you except when they must examine you. As I had a nasal issue, I was advised to keep my mask on until the doctor was ready to examine me and then remove it only for the examination.
Even my doctors in FL, when many people didn't wear masks (we've been away for a few months and masks were mandated in my county the day we left), are always masked and their offices take great precautions.
I wouldn't go to a doctor that doesn't wear a mask because to me, that's not taking your patients' health seriously. If they're that lax when they are working with sick patients, they're likely lax everywhere else.
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Gravity
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,233
Jun 27, 2014 0:29:55 GMT
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Post by Gravity on Sept 23, 2020 2:50:33 GMT
I can't believe there's any medical person *not* wearing a mask during a pandemic! wow. I've recently been to an eye doctor and then a retinologist and the eye doc and her tech were both wearing two masks, as was the retinologist. And all the receptionists, nurses, techs, whoever... and the patients. At the eye doctor you're not even allowed to come upstairs until they call you. You have to call from your car and then wait there. I can’t believe there is any person period not wearing a mask during a pandemic. Please do NOT feel embarrassed to ask this fool to wear a mask while in the exam room with you.
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tincin
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,378
Jul 25, 2014 4:55:32 GMT
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Post by tincin on Sept 23, 2020 3:06:02 GMT
I would not only ask her, I would insist. I’m certain she sees far more people in a day than you do. Then I would get busy looking for a new doctor. So glad mine takes it seriously.
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Post by scrapmaven on Sept 23, 2020 3:34:05 GMT
I am questioning her common sense. A doctor should know better. Frankly, I'd be afraid to see her.
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Post by doesitmatter on Sept 23, 2020 3:57:45 GMT
I work in a hospital and am surprised to hear this. Masks our mandated in my state, but before they were they were worn by all staff unless in private offices. I have a lung issue so I’m usually in my office with my o2 anyway. I had Covid for a long time and still struggling in my lungs..
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Marina
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,509
Aug 12, 2014 23:32:21 GMT
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Post by Marina on Sept 23, 2020 6:16:34 GMT
That is not acceptable! I just had my physical and my doctor was wearing a mask and at a later VIRTUAL appointment she was wearing a mask. I would also call ahead and request it.
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Post by pierkiss on Sept 23, 2020 10:34:06 GMT
I can tell that this apt is super important for you. So I would keep it. And I would ask my dr to wear a mask.
But I would be firing my doctor if she did not automatically mask up while at work. She’s a DOCTOR. The one who is supposed to know better and set the example on how not to transmit a respiratory disease.
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Country Ham
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,314
Jun 25, 2014 19:32:08 GMT
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Post by Country Ham on Sept 23, 2020 11:20:27 GMT
I have asked them to pull it down for a second so I could see their face. They got a new NP and my usual one was off for bereavement. Between the mask and the protective eye glasses I just couldn't relax till I saw the person behind it. So before she got into my space I asked her if she minded showing me her face she pulled it down long enough for me to see.
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peabay
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,891
Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on Sept 23, 2020 11:39:40 GMT
That is crazy! All medical personnel around me are wearing masks, keeping as distant as possible for the majority of the appointment. Several even wear face shields in addition to the mask. Definitely would call ahead of time and ask if they will be wearing a mask. Maybe go to an urgent care if they won't wear a mask? My kid's pediatrician, my family doctor, our dentist and one other specialty office I've been at this summer/fall takes your temp outside before they will even let you in the building. They also ask the exposure, fever, been tested, etc questions outside. They called to ask the questions a day or two before the appointment and asked again outside before allowed into building. I went to my gyn yearly exam and they even have all patients take off the mask they wear into the reception area and put on a provided disposable mask. I was wearing a cloth mask already, but still needed to put on the disposable mask. I'm guessing it's because our state rule is that you have to wear a "face covering" - which can include the plastic face shields and neck gaiters - studies are finding that they aren't as effective and I guess they want the extra protection. I've been twice asked to remove my cloth mask and put on a medical one. At my optometrist's office they said it was because some people come in with that they call "face coverings" that are ineffective (as you mentioned) and quite often dirty and unsanitary.
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Post by mikklynn on Sept 23, 2020 13:27:39 GMT
I know around here the medical staff are tested weekly. If you doctor wears a mask it is to keep from transmitting covid. If they test negative they don't have it to give to you. Still I would ask why they don't wear a mask. I'd ask the nurse. They could still test positive the next day. No mask is just crazy for a doctor. I'd be considering a new doctor.
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AmeliaBloomer
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,842
Location: USA
Jun 26, 2014 5:01:45 GMT
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Post by AmeliaBloomer on Sept 23, 2020 13:50:36 GMT
I know around here the medical staff are tested weekly. If you doctor wears a mask it is to keep from transmitting covid. If they test negative they don't have it to give to you. Still I would ask why they don't wear a mask. I'd ask the nurse. All this means is that the doctor didn’t have it the day they were tested. Test Monday morning, exposed Monday afternoon and possibly spread for a week until the next test. Yup. Scenario #2: -Contract virus on Friday. -Test on Monday and receive a false negative, which is not uncommon within the first days post-transmission. -Possibly spread for TEN days until either the next test (if asymptomatic) or until onset of symptoms.
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Post by maryland on Sept 23, 2020 13:50:41 GMT
Sorry you are in this situation. You need the apt., but it will be very risky with a doctor that is being careless.
It sounds like you really need to go to this apt., so I would call and request that she wear a mask. If she says no, I would go elsewhere. It's not worth getting covid. As others suggested, maybe the ER if you can't get in anywhere else. And I would find a new doctor after. She could have covid (as she doesn't seem to take this seriously) and even though you have on a mask, and she would put on one, I wouldn't want to go near her. I can't believe a doctor isn't wearing a mask! Especially in the office.
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Rhondito
Pearl Clutcher
MississipPea
Posts: 4,798
Jun 25, 2014 19:33:19 GMT
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Post by Rhondito on Sept 23, 2020 14:23:03 GMT
Since March I've seen my oncologist, radiation oncologist, surgeon, pulmonologist, optometrist, had two CT scans, and an EKG. Every single person I came in contact with in all the facilities wore a mask. Every one of them.
If I went to see a doctor who wasn't wearing a mask right now, I wouldn't trust them with my care. I would leave.
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peppermintpatty
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1345
Posts: 3,947
Jun 26, 2014 17:47:08 GMT
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Post by peppermintpatty on Sept 23, 2020 15:26:32 GMT
For those of you who said you wouldn't go back and to find another doctor, it isn't that easy. Most practices these days are not taking new patients and if they are, it is a virtual appointment that is usually months out. Then you will have to schedule for an in person appointment. If the OP has to be seen now, I would call the practice and tell them that they are not following the State's mandate and that you are requiring your doctor to wear a mask as well as the staff at the practice. Having the doctor wear one is pointless if the rest of the practice isn't wearing them That's putting a bandaid on a gunshot wound. I would also turn them into the state.
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Post by mnmloveli on Sept 23, 2020 19:44:41 GMT
I couldn’t trust a doctor at this time not wearing a mask. I would hope if he wasn’t wearing one he would put it on immediately when you told him to.
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Post by SweetieBugs on Sept 26, 2020 21:11:40 GMT
UPDATE: It was worse than I expected. I haven't seen my doctor in probably 8 years as I've been seeing her NP who is fantastic (she's been wearing a mask since the very beginning). Unfortunately, the NP just recently left the practice so I had to see the doctor. 3 out of the 6 office staff and PA's were not wearing masks and then the doctor breezed in not wearing a mask. She say's "I hope you're having a great year" and I say, "I've been better". She looks at me with a completely baffled expression and asks why. I say, "because I'm here seeing you about this (will need breast lumpectomies for a pre-cancer breast disease I was just diagnosed with and was there to get a referral to a surgeon), COVID has really made it a difficult year and my husband died 4 months ago". That made her say, "oh well, yes, that is something". Anyway, I asked her if she could tell me a bit about why she wasn't wearing a mask and she WENT OFF on the whole situation. Masks are completely ineffective, studies have show they are ineffective, blah, blah, blah, government totally overblowing this, ruining the economy for the next generation, fear mongering, not a big deal, asymptomatic people barely shed the virus and are not a threat. She would have to wear a mask all day long and that would be bad for her health (she is a very healthy looking mid to late 50's woman-trim, excellent physical shape, etc.) She also said something pretty heartless about it was unfortunate but inevitable about what happened in nursing homes and she's been called heartless.
JESUS on a bike!!! I'm just stunned beyond belief. So, she talks through my biopsy reports and then gives me a referral to a surgeon but tells me he has horrible reviews because he has a really mean office staff but he is excellent at what he does. Well, that's just brilliant. She wanted to make sure to refer me to someone that specializes or does a lot of work with the breast which is definitely what I want. It seems like in the entire area of Sacramento, in my insurance group which is a big name insurer and a good plan, she only had one good surgeon to recommend??? And finally, as I asked for a refill of my Lunesta prescription, which is on a controlled substance list and requires a handwritten RX and only for 5 months at a time, she GOES off on the RIDICULOUS GOVERNMENT OVERSITE AND OVERSTEPPING BUDDING INTO EVERYONE'S LIVES. She went on for another 5 minute as I sat there with glazed over eyes.
So, clearly I'll be in the market for a new doctor!!! I just need to get through my current situation. She assured me that this is not breast cancer but that the current thought is that if you leave it be, it can down the road mutate into a cancer. I'm at high risk for breast cancer so this is very less than ideal. I looked at the surgeon reviews online and they are worse than I even expected. I'm going to go to the eventual appointment I get but probably end up going back to my primary doctor to ask for a referral to a second doctor to compare. This is going to be a very, very annoying situation and I could really use my DH's strength and support:(
Sorry this is so long.
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peabay
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,891
Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on Sept 26, 2020 21:21:07 GMT
Wow, what an update. She's a freaking nightmare. Get away from there as soon as you can!
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edie3
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,631
Jun 26, 2014 1:03:18 GMT
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Post by edie3 on Sept 26, 2020 21:32:44 GMT
Is this doctor's practice affiliated with a larger health system? If so, I would be reporting her ass! Or even to the state medical board. I can't imagine any practice big or small doesn't have some sort of policy regarding masks.
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Post by jubejubes on Sept 26, 2020 21:35:18 GMT
I'm so sorry that your doctor is so horrible and treated you so nastily. I do know that the really good surgeons usually have not a good 'bedside' manner as they are dedicated to their craft & not the people that they treat. I wish you all the best as you are undergoing treatment.
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leeny
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,760
Location: Northern California
Site Supporter
Jun 27, 2014 1:55:53 GMT
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Post by leeny on Sept 26, 2020 21:39:33 GMT
No! Run for another doctor and opinion. You are worth more than what this doctor is making you feel. ((hugs))
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Post by librarylady on Sept 26, 2020 21:44:52 GMT
Oh, my! It is a bad situation.
I think you are wise to seek a new doctor. Perhaps she likes this surgeon because he is politically aligned with her.
But, I'd be eager to leave her practice ASAP.
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Post by freecharlie on Sept 26, 2020 21:47:17 GMT
Holy shit!
Are you certain you don't want to switch doctors, even in the middle of this?
My doctor is irritated with some of the oversight (he had to physically see ds to write a script for a nebulizer even though he's been ds doctor since birth and is the one who diagnosed ds with asthma) but the rest of it???
I'm not sure I'd trust her medical judgment
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sassyangel
Drama Llama
Posts: 7,456
Jun 26, 2014 23:58:32 GMT
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Post by sassyangel on Sept 26, 2020 21:47:47 GMT
I'm so sorry that your doctor is so horrible and treated you so nastily. I do know that the really good surgeons usually have not a good 'bedside' manner as they are dedicated to their craft & not the people that they treat. I wish you all the best as you are undergoing treatment. Their *craft* IS the people they treat. Without people to treat, they have nothing.
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sassyangel
Drama Llama
Posts: 7,456
Jun 26, 2014 23:58:32 GMT
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Post by sassyangel on Sept 26, 2020 21:50:02 GMT
I'm not sure I'd trust her medical judgment I was going to say the same thing. I might have been angry enough to tell her so.
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Post by jubejubes on Sept 26, 2020 21:53:05 GMT
I'm so sorry that your doctor is so horrible and treated you so nastily. I do know that the really good surgeons usually have not a good 'bedside' manner as they are dedicated to their craft & not the people that they treat. I wish you all the best as you are undergoing treatment. Their *craft* IS the people they treat. Without people to treat, they have nothing. For a very select few, their *craft* is the beauty of the work (surgeries) that they do and how beautiful the the procedure went, how nice the healing was and the better quality of life that the person has. Yes, they need the people to do the work on, but consider the people as a canvas so to speak. I have medical/surgical friends and I have been told that they don't think of their patients as "people" but as "cases".
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Post by MichyM on Sept 26, 2020 21:56:04 GMT
I know this is crazy, right??? My primary care doctor has not been wearing a mask in her office.
I've been seeing her NP (who is virtually the only person in the office wearing a mask) but she just left the practice and I have an important appointment this week that can't be skipped or put off. I'm in the middle of a medical situation that won't wait while I find another primary care doctor so there isn't really a choice. Should I say at the reception desk that I would like the doctor to wear a mask?? She will need to physically examine part my body so it will be "up close and personal".
How crazy is this!!! I know it will be better to be embarrassed than ill or dead from COVID so I'll have to pull up my big girl panties but I don't like being put in this situation. I will definitely be leaving this practice as soon as I can make arrangements. I have a feeling that the mask situation is why the NP left. She was so good that I've been seeing her for all of my general health care for 7 years.
UPDATE: It was worse than I expected. I haven't seen my doctor in probably 8 years as I've been seeing her NP who is fantastic (she's been wearing a mask since the very beginning). Unfortunately, the NP just recently left the practice so I had to see the doctor. 3 out of the 6 office staff and PA's were not wearing masks and then the doctor breezed in not wearing a mask. She say's "I hope you're having a great year" and I say, "I've been better". She looks at me with a completely baffled expression and asks why. I say, "because I'm here seeing you about this (will need breast lumpectomies for a pre-cancer breast disease I was just diagnosed with and was there to get a referral to a surgeon), COVID has really made it a difficult year and my husband died 4 months ago". That made her say, "oh well, yes, that is something". Anyway, I asked her if she could tell me a bit about why she wasn't wearing a mask and she WENT OFF on the whole situation. Masks are completely ineffective, studies have show they are ineffective, blah, blah, blah, government totally overblowing this, ruining the economy for the next generation, fear mongering, not a big deal, asymptomatic people barely shed the virus and are not a threat. She would have to wear a mask all day long and that would be bad for her health (she is a very healthy looking mid to late 50's woman-trim, excellent physical shape, etc.) She also said something pretty heartless about it was unfortunate but inevitable about what happened in nursing homes and she's been called heartless.
JESUS on a bike!!! I'm just stunned beyond belief. So, she talks through my biopsy reports and then gives me a referral to a surgeon but tells me he has horrible reviews because he has a really mean office staff but he is excellent at what he does. Well, that's just brilliant. She wanted to make sure to refer me to someone that specializes or does a lot of work with the breast which is definitely what I want. It seems like in the entire area of Sacramento, in my insurance group which is a big name insurer and a good plan, she only had one good surgeon to recommend??? And finally, as I asked for a refill of my Lunesta prescription, which is on a controlled substance list and requires a handwritten RX and only for 5 months at a time, she GOES off on the RIDICULOUS GOVERNMENT OVERSITE AND OVERSTEPPING BUDDING INTO EVERYONE'S LIVES. She went on for another 5 minute as I sat there with glazed over eyes.
So, clearly I'll be in the market for a new doctor!!! I just need to get through my current situation. She assured me that this is not breast cancer but that the current thought is that if you leave it be, it can down the road mutate into a cancer. I'm at high risk for breast cancer so this is very less than ideal. I looked at the surgeon reviews online and they are worse than I even expected. I'm going to go to the eventual appointment I get but probably end up going back to my primary doctor to ask for a referral to a second doctor to compare. This is going to be a very, very annoying situation and I could really use my DH's strength and support:(
Sorry this is so long. First off, I am STUNNED. And I am very sorry that your Dr is such a dolt. If I understand correctly, you have a condition that may possibly lead to breast cancer at some unknown point down the road. You also have a GP, a medical "professional" who's actions could cause your death (as well as potentially many others) in less than two weeks. GIRL, please tell us that you will never go back to that office. Even it it means delaying your lumpectomies of the pre-cancerous area(s) a month or two. What a nightmarish situation. All the best!
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Post by Zee on Sept 26, 2020 21:58:20 GMT
Keep in mind that reviews are mainly written by unhappy people, not the happy ones, and surgeons aren't known for their kind compassionate ways. I would meet with him and then decide.
My surgeon was GREAT with me but kind of an ass to his staff and the hospital staff. I know the type and that he won't put up with mistakes, which is rather comforting unless you're the nurse in which case it can be intimidating. But he helped save my life and made me feel like he actually cared about my outcome and not just getting rid of my breasts. That's important too.
Reviews are only part of the picture, and if he's one of the best with breast surgery, that's what you need right now. If you don't get a good vibe you can go with a second opinion. Hugs, it's very hard to navigate this stuff alone and without medical knowledge it's even harder.
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