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GI that works one day a week

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 12/28/2011 4:34 PM (GMT 0)
I guess my GI has let his profession get to his head because he only sees patients on Tuesdays. So he has a ton of patients going to see him on the same day. This is new because I used to be able to see him on almost any day. I see him in a hospital because he doesn't have a clinc. So I called and asked if I can see him any other day because I have 4 classes on Tues and Thurs while every other day I have only one. They told me that he only works on Tuesdays and I can only see him on tuesdays or not see him at all. So I asked if I can change physicians and they said: "No, he's your doctor. For you to be able to see another doctor he has to give you permission." Now I don't know what to do. Is this normal for a GI to work just one day? Does he really have to give me permission to see another GI?
Posted 12/28/2011 4:43 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds ridiculous. Find another GI. Of course you don't need his permission. He may own his files though, but that's okay, your insurance will have copies and you're entitled to see everything in your file (that's how it is in Canada, should be the same in the US).
Posted 12/28/2011 6:01 PM (GMT 0)
Oh yes you can change!! And I think with that kind of schedule you need to find a new one. Crohns doesn't only flare on Tuesdays, so I think you need to find a doc who will be more available to you. I am flabbergasted at the responses you received. I would call your insurance and see what they suggest. Hugs!
Posted 12/28/2011 6:30 PM (GMT 0)
He doesn't own his files. They are YOUR files. The practice may charge you a nominal fee ($25) for "copying" the files to give to you.

When you asked if you could see another DR I assume you meant that you'd like to see another DR in the same GI practice as the one you're currently seeing. That should be possible, too, and simply requires that you call the main reception area and ask to have an appointment with another GI. Inside their medical practice they may frown upon DRs taking patients away from others, but given the schedule conflict you've identified I would think everyone could agree to a new arrangement. If they can't however, you are free to take your business wherever you want.

Oh, and it's not important why he only sees patients on Tuesdays.  You don't know anything about his personal life I'd bet, so please don't make assumptions about him.  My GI, for example, is in his mid-60s and had a major heart attack a few years ago.  He completely changed the way he practices medicine and now has a much smaller office and takes fewer patients.  What's important is what works for you, and if Tuesday isn't going to work for you then find someone who can see you on other days of the week.

Posted 12/28/2011 8:12 PM (GMT 0)
My GI only sees patients one day a week too. I used to find it crazy but since I've been working with her for a while, she's open to seeing me outside of office hours when necessary. Can you contact him directly and ask him if he's available to see you other days? The office staff tends to tell everyone the same thing, they don't know the answer to your quqestion, they just know he only sees patients on Tues. They also can't tell you who you can see. You can start seeing someone else and they will be required to send your history to that office. I don't think I would see a different GI in the same office if it were me, I would probably try a completely different office if I were going to go elsewhere.
Posted 12/28/2011 8:51 PM (GMT 0)
I'm going to talk to him personally and see if I can see him another day. But, the problem isn't only that he works on tuesdays, there is also the problem that  he sees so many patients in one day. The time I'm with him is about 3 minutes and it's very rushed. IMHO, if he can't see patients because of whatever is going on in his personal life he shouldn't see patients at all, not cram them all in one day. But, thanks for your suggestions, if he continues the way it's going I will go elsewhere.
Posted 12/28/2011 9:31 PM (GMT 0)
Run...run real fast away from this dr and go find another one. 

If you are in the USA, you have the right to get a copy of all your medical records.  They can charge you for copying them but I have never been charged in the past (luckily).

If at any time they give you a problem and say you can't have your records, report them to the AMA.

Posted 12/28/2011 9:53 PM (GMT 0)
My daughter was going to a GI in a practice of 25 doctors. When she was having surgery, her surgeon could not get in touch with the GI to the point that the surgeon suggested to her that she get another GI because of 'negligence'. This practice of GI's is the only one available at the hospital near us and many other hospitals in it's network. So the surgeon recommended another doctor in that practice and when she called to switch, she too was told she would need permission from the first doctor before she could transfer to the second. I am assuming asking permission only applies when it is within the same group of doctors.
Posted 12/28/2011 11:19 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, the asking permission thing is because it's in the same group of doctors, there are about 10 of them and then about 4 colorectal surgeons. Which the surgeon I love when I have to see him. But it sucks because I like that hospital, just not doing so well with the doctor. And I'm in the U.S, I'm going to try to get my records and see if I shop around if he refuses to see me another day.
Posted 12/29/2011 12:16 AM (GMT 0)
Nanners, that's so funny—cd doesn't flare only on Tuesdays.

But Kaz, you bring up a good point...I thought docs or medical institutions owned the medical files, even though we are entitled to copies...? I have to check that out.
Posted 12/29/2011 7:34 PM (GMT 0)
You might want to ask WHY this gastro is only available in office one day a week. The same holds true w/my gastro, she only has office hours one day a week - but - that is because she is busy doing procedures the other days. Most of her patients she only sees once every 5-10 years for preventive colon screening. Then there are those of us who need office time as well due to Crohn's, UC, GERD, etc. etc.

I'm taking a guess that this doctor is not in private practice but rather is an employee of the hospital and the hospital has changed his position/duties and office hours.

As far as medical records go: the medical records BELONG TO THE GENERATING FACILITY or doctor. However, patients have a legal right to COPIES of those records.

I would guess that you would only need permission to leave this doctor to switch to another w/in the same practice - 'cause no doctor tells me I can't leave his practice. If I decide I want to he is history. Simple as that. I'm the one paying the bill, whether thru insurance or out of pocket is immaterial. Insurances and HMOs may restrict your choice of doctors tho. That's not saying the doctor I want to switch to is willing to accept me as a patient.

Posted 12/29/2011 9:14 PM (GMT 0)
You definitely should not need permission to find another doctor, and the medical records are your property, not his. You might have to pay for them as others have said above. I would find another doctor (of any kind for whatever problem) if they told me something like that. I'm coming to them and paying them to help me, and I want them to work with ME. There are definitely other doctors out there, it's not easy to find a good one sometimes, but I'd rather start over with a new doctor than receive care that I feel is less than what I need and deserve.
Posted 12/29/2011 9:43 PM (GMT 0)
I changed doctor's within the same practice and no one batted an eye

I originally called to try and make an appt with my original GI and couldn't get in so the front desk asked if I would like to see another one

I said yes

She saw me and once the visit was over, she asked if I would like to continue seeing her or did I want to go back to my original GI

I told her that I wanted to stay with her and from what I was told, swapping doctor's in their practice was not frowned upon
Posted 12/30/2011 7:24 PM (GMT 0)
I will repeat once more: medical records are the property of the generating facility or doctor. Patients are legally entitled to COPIES of these records except under certain specified conditions.
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