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What about the Good Doctors?

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Posted 9/11/2007 1:48 AM (GMT 0)
We spend a lot of time here talking about different doctors.  Those that we don't understand how they became doctors, and those that we love.  I will not and have not hesitated to speak up and let doctors know when I am unhappy with their treatment plans, ideas, whatever.  My question is this....  How many of us really show our appreciation to the GOOD doctors?  Do we take the extra step, and send a letter to the office, or shake their hand and let them know how much it means to us to have a doctor that stands out above the rest? 

I will be the first to admit, that I never have.  I am going to though.  Sure, it's my doctor's JOB to be a good doctor.  It might just make him an even better doctor to know that he is truly appreciated.

 

Just something to think about. :)

Posted 9/11/2007 2:31 AM (GMT 0)
When I first started getting really sick I wasn't able to get in to see my doctor. I ended up seeing a nurse practioner and then a week later a different doctor in the same office. When I finally got in to see my doctor he sent me straight to the hospital, it the 5 minutes it took to get us there they were waiting for me. When I was in the hospital and he would come through the door it felt like "home". I guess it was just that for those few minutes I knew that there was someone there that knew me and was going to help me get better. I told him that too. I also had a infectious disease doctor who saw me in the hospital, even though with in two days he knew that I was not his patient he came every day and spent at least an hour talking to me about what was going on and what test results were back and what they meant. I sent him a thank you letter. I also had an awesome nurse that went way above and beyond and took such good care of me, I wrote a letter of commendation to the hospital for him. Before I got sick I never thought about it much, but since being in the hospital and being sick I really appreciate the doctors that take care of me.
Sorry to be so long winded.
Heather
Posted 9/11/2007 2:56 AM (GMT 0)
I've gone through 4 GI's in 16 yrs.


:)
Posted 9/11/2007 3:04 AM (GMT 0)
Heather~

That's awesome!  That's what I am talking about.  I just want to know how many of us show our doctors true appreciation, just like you did.  It's no secret that we won't hesitate to speak up about the bad ones.

And I want to encourage you all to speak up and show your gratitude. 

Posted 9/11/2007 4:32 AM (GMT 0)
Good thread KitKat, and well done Heather!!
My girls and I have had our share of Drs. GIs. Councellors, psychiatrists etc. We've been through a lot in the past 11 years....I have met good doctors, good councellors, and not so good ones.
We've come to recognize the good ones almost immediately....the truly genuine human beings that are in their chosen professions out of truecompassion for people and a real desire to help....it is in their voice, their eyes, their hand -shake...or hug. We have always told those special people how special they really are .
We were known as the family that lined up for hugs after every visit!!!LOL.

Gratitude goes a long way in mending our broken bodies and broken spirits. And I am sure that these dedicated Drs and nurses etc . get weary a long their journeys at trying to make others healthy. A little praise goes a long way in restoring their tired old souls too. !

Mary
Posted 9/11/2007 8:44 AM (GMT 0)
Mary~  Well said about the gratitude.  I think about my own job, and I know that when I am shown appreciation, it makes me do an even better job.  It makes me WANT to do a better job, because I know that someone appreciates it in the end.  Of course, I am just a baker, not a doctor.....but I think that everyone can benefit from seeing some gratitude.
Posted 9/11/2007 9:51 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Katina,
I always take care of my Gastro's office at Christmas time. I always bring in a big cake
or pies which the love.

TBW
Posted 9/11/2007 11:42 AM (GMT 0)
Hi I feel that my GI probably see's the kind of care he gives in my smile and health he does his part and I try to do mine .Working together we try to give me the best care that can be given. lol gail
Posted 9/11/2007 12:14 PM (GMT 0)
KKB great positive thread! You are right. I don't think I have expressed my appreciation of good docs as much as the disappointment in others.

My first GP at my Cd diagnosis was the best ever! He was young and looked similar to a 70s John denver. I was embarrased to have him see my skin, but he was the kindest man I have ever met. He evetually left my town to go to work in a small town down south where he was not forced to spend as much time in the hospital duties. He wanted to be a doc in the office caring for people. He always shook my hand, knew what my usual breakfast was and that was with a ton of patients. I really miss him and wish I could let him know that now.

My latest GI is not a warm fuzzy guy at all and it is still a good deal! I have let him know I appreciate his candor and his ability to discuss my care at a level that respects my knowledge.

A good thank you really goes a long way. I am making the effort to offer sincere thanks to anyone who does something for me----even if it is their job. Thank you waitress, cashier, etc.
Posted 9/11/2007 12:29 PM (GMT 0)
No, I never have, and I think I just might take a pack of apple cider donuts from a local orchard to my pcp! :) I go see my gi on the 30th I think it is, so I will take hers then.

Great thread! I certainly appreciate my drs....they all go above and beyond, and I need to show my appreciation more!
Posted 9/11/2007 12:43 PM (GMT 0)

I usually buy a gift at xmas time to show my appreciation . I do that with my fam dr , my psychiatrist and my therapist and this year with my GI ....I am lucky to have my GI he really cares and when I call him ...he calls me back withing 1/2 hr. I am lucky  that I really like my drs and it really helps when your dr cares and genually wants to help make you feel better.

Jackie

Posted 9/11/2007 12:55 PM (GMT 0)
Well, I'm sorry, but I have to strongly disagree with BillShakespeare. "Most" doctors are not "terrible." The vast majority of medical professionals I have encountered have been competent and able. I also disagree that doctoring is not an intellectual challenge. The mass of knowledge and skills they must master goes way beyond what is required of any other profession -- four years of college, four of medical school and from three to seven or more in residency and fellowship training . . . often at a pace approaching 100 hours per week.

There's just no equivalence between what it takes to become a doctor and what it takes to be a lawyer, for example.

Fact is, Crohn's is a chronic, incurable disease that affects every patient in different ways. I can understand why some patients become frustrated when they don't get "well" but it's not the doctor's fault we got sick and it's not his fault that there is no magic bullet.

Yes there are some lousy doctors -- a very small minority in my experience. And yes there are some mistakes -- not surprising when dealing with what is really as much art as science. But to characterize all, or even a significant portion, of the medical profession as money-grubbing incompetents is simply bogus.

Posted 9/11/2007 3:04 PM (GMT 0)
I absolutely love my GI! He's been so wonderful to me, calls me back quickly, just calls to check in every so often if he doesn't hear from me, and he is currently fighting very hard with my insurance company to get Humira approved. Last Christmas, I got him a gift card to Barnes and Noble to show my appreciation for all the great work that he does for me. I really wish that I could clone him for all the Crohnies :-)
Posted 9/11/2007 3:14 PM (GMT 0)
I was in the hospital for two weeks this summer, and the nursing care was excellent.  A cousin sent me gorgeous roses (1-800-Flowers- I definitely recommend them, if you want to send someone flowers) so many that we had to split them up into two vases.  I left one of the arrangements for the staff, and they all seemed to really enjoy them.  A few days later I sent them a fruit bouquet from Edible Arrangements (another place I would recommend- they have great stuff).  about a month later I was back at Edible Arrangements to order a gift for a friend, and the ladies there remembered me.  The woman who made the delivery said that they were all very excited when she arrived.  I guess they see plenty of other people get deliveries, but don't get many themselves.  It made my day to know that they enjoyed the fruit.  Doctors get all the glory (and sometimes the blame), but the nurses spend far more time with us.  Good nurses can catch what the doctors miss and through compassion make a miserable situation bearable.

Posted 9/11/2007 3:18 PM (GMT 0)
I'm glad to see there are some people that LOVE their GIs! I don't have Chron's, but am having the darndest time trying to find a GI who will see me (just for a routine---I may have GERD/Ulcer)---b/c I already went to one GI who I was uncomfortable with----and had the other 10 GIs in the same practice REFUSE to treat me (no reason given---I was not combative or anything.....ever).

Now, I am trying to call other GIs in my area---and when they find out I've seen a GI in my "past" (three years ago)---they all get weird and most of the time refuse to see me? Now, why is that?
Posted 9/11/2007 3:33 PM (GMT 0)
I too love my GI. he has been supportive, attentive, and helpful. I have his cell number and am free to call anytime (but hardly ever do!) of course, it probably helps that I went all through school with him and he was a neighbor...so I am glad for that.
on the idea of why docs are like they are...they spend most of the years that the rest of us are growing up (our 20's) in school, which might make them a bit different. I just read in Newsweek that med schools are now looking for liberal arts undergrads. as an English Prof, I love that idea! it said they find the LA majors to be more understanding of humans and that makes them better docs..what a concept!
Posted 9/11/2007 4:38 PM (GMT 0)
hopeisreal,
I can't tell you for sure why the GI's are being strange, but I can give it a guess. As far as the ones from the original practice: they don't like to step on their partners toes. I have also been told that in smaller places that when GI's take turns being on call for the hospital that they don't like to step on the others toes either. Maybe when you are making your appointment just mention that you saw someone awhile ago but don't recall their name and wanted to see someone for these new issues. Maybe that will help. Or go to a nearby town....
Heather
Posted 9/11/2007 6:52 PM (GMT 0)
I LOVE my OB, I have been with him since 1991. There have been many occasions over the years that I have told him, his staff, his wife and other patients how much I am blessed to have him as a doc. I have had him recommend other docs to be because I figure if I like him and he likes them then that is good enough for me. So far all of the best docs I have, have been referred by him. I also know from watching the staff when they take care of my husband that when the pain stops and he changes his attitude that they know they did a good job.
Posted 9/11/2007 7:01 PM (GMT 0)

pb4 said...
I've gone through 4 GI's in 16 yrs.

I believe I'm on number six in eight years. What do I win?

I have yet to find a GI who was open-minded, who would talk about dietary modifications and natural supplements. After achieving a long-term remission on my own, no GI has ever asked what I was doing or what I felt made the difference. They don't want to partner with patients to take positive steps in achieving digestive health; drugs and surgery is all they know.

But - in the spirit of the positive thread - I really like my general practitioner. He practices complimentary medicine - a blend of traditional allopathic and alternative methods. He's very laid-back and he really listens to me and respects my input about my own body.

Posted 9/11/2007 8:40 PM (GMT 0)
I have the most wonderful GI in the world! She has been treating me for 15 years. She knows all her stuff, all the recent meds available and all the experimental stuff out there, too. She calls me back right away whenever I have a question. She referred me to the best surgeon in the world. However, she talked to several surgeons and we talked about the pros and cons of each before I made my decision. I am very fortunate to have such great caregivers. Unfortuately, I am a bad patient and never followed the treatment she prescribed which resulted in me having to have surgery. I would never go to another GI as long as she is in practice. I have complete and utter faith in her. My only complaint is that because she is so popular, it very difficult to get an appointment with her, but she has made special arrangements to see me when there have emergency situations or will do telephone conferences when necessary.
Posted 9/12/2007 1:13 AM (GMT 0)

I'm glad to see some positivity about everyone's medical professionals on this thread.  Thank you, KitKat, for starting this!  And thank you to those of you who are taking the time to selflessly reflect and trying to put yourself in your doctors' shoes even though you are suffering. 

I am in my first year of medical school and have no life outside of it.  The highlight of my day consists of feeling victorious when I find some random artery in my cadaver (I'm not complaining here - I like learning this stuff and I knowingly put myself in this position).  BillShakespeare, you must have had very poor experiences with your own doctors to think so negatively of them, and that's really a shame.  You say they don't care about people, that becoming a doctor is "easy," that they have ego complexes and are just entirely too "privileged" for their own good.  I can't think of anything further from the truth than most of those statements for the vast majority of physicians.  Sometimes we have to look inward when we feel so vehemently negative about something and Bill, I urge you to do so. 

I have had some not-so-great doctors (the ones who are harried, can't be bothered, etc.) but in the same vein as above, I've had such positive experiences with so many more.  Now I have even more appreciation for them and their skills.  I hope to emulate those good ones someday.

Posted 9/12/2007 2:06 AM (GMT 0)
Right now I do not really care for my GI for my son....too many docs in one practice...always a different doc on call...never have even seen the doc I started ou t with cause he is on vacation...or not on call when my son has an emergency. His girls in the office can be nasty.....when my son was in the E>R> the doc did not come in to see him until 10 hours after he was admitted,he was only seen by the er Doc.....then that same gastro guy of mine who did not come in the first day charged my insurance company 200$ for a visit to my son that he NEVER MADE!!!!! He still is claiming he saw my son...but he did not...thehospital records even say he was not there but his office will not take off the bill. This is only one story...I could go on and on.....not feeling warm and fuzzies for gastro guys right now!!! LOL Deese
Posted 9/12/2007 5:33 AM (GMT 0)

Hello

This is Kitt and I am so proud of each of you for speaking up and sharing your stories.  I too know many wonderful and kind Doctors.  The one that did the autopsy on my son and attended his funeral, the GI Doctor my husband sees for his Crohn's and always follows up with a persoanl phone call the evening of his colonoscopy to make sure he is ok. She calls every single patient herself and she has many. The Doctor who held my hand when my Father died.

The ER Doctor, my partner, who worked long hard hours missing sleep,  holidays with his family, time away from the golf course ( lol), put himself through medical school and works with Doctors Accross Borders.  The man is kind and caring to everyone from the poor soul that lives under the bridge to the lawyers.  Every single person he sees he treats with extreme dignity, even the patient out of his mind on Meth. 

The doctors I know do not lie and hide their mistakes from the patients or their families.  We have a protocol at our hospital, we tell the patient the truth up front when we make a mistake, why lie as we are only human and yes Doctors can make a mistake. Does not everyone or is there someone out there that is perfect ? I know I am just human.

On 911, we should be celebrating the medical field, EMS, Fire, Police, and all the people that came forward to try to save the lives of so many only to go home in tears of pain like the rest of the country.

Everyone of you is a special person, thank you for speaking out in such a positive and respectful manner.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Amen.

Posted 9/12/2007 3:44 PM (GMT 0)
In my experiance, of the 10+ doctor's who have treated me regularly, all but one of them have had there full heart and utter devotion too the job.
One Dr, he even went so far as too keep coming back every other day to the unit, too see how we are doing, after he'd left. A consultant, has retired 5 times in my hospital, yet he keeps coming back, as he's just not ready too stop helping people.

The doctor's I don't like (actually only my neurologist), I've told straight, he did a lot of messing around with me, and is STILL messing me around. He has lied to me, and doesn't have his heart in the job at all, he's just one of those doctor's who doesn't seem to care.

I praise the good doctor's lots, send cards at christmas, at the end of a hospital admission, I spread the word too other patients.
Currently we have 2 consultant's and a registrar on our cf unit. Al of them are excellant, happy, cheerful, and really jump to the rescue when things are tough. Of these 3, there's a doctor who's very boksmart and gives out allthe medical jargon, generally I understand that, which is good. One tries to guess the information you need, although sometimes doesn't quite give enough to put you at ease. The other, he jumps through hoops of fire, too make sure you understand everything. None of my doctors will leave any table unturned. They never order me too do things, only enlighten me too what will happen either way. They also gave me permission to shout at them if they do things wrong...........I mean who doesn't love a good shouting session:)

It's not just doctor's either. MY nurses, and dieticians and psychiatrist and physios. There exactly the same.
One nurse, I have the email off, and I send her thankyou cards, if I've not been brave enough to say it in person. Female staff, it's awsome, as I can just jump on them and hug them for all they've done. More of an issue with male staff, there harder to thank.

I am very greatful for this thread, as it reminds me, I have a few people I haven't yet thanked for getting me through a funeral. If I hadn't been in hospital at the time, I actually can't even imagine how I would have coped that day.

PS, I know I don't have Crohn's, but a chance to praise my docs, is always good:)
Posted 9/12/2007 7:56 PM (GMT 0)

To Bill,

One of the reason's the medical profession is stepping forward and admitting their mistakes is to break the wall of silence.  It has been found to help the patient's and the families to hear straight from the physicians that they have made a mistake and acknowledge their mistake.  The patients need this information so they can continue on with the care they need.

So yes you are right admission of mistakes is the better road to take for all.

Yes there are some bad Doctors as with any profession but educating the public and nurses advocating for the patients has come a long way.

We now ask family members if they would like to be at the bedside of their loved one during full arrests as we feel if they see the effort of the team working to try to save a patient's life, they will know all is being done and they can also be their to talk directly to the staff when they have a question.  I have not had an ER Doc refuse a family member access during a code. The Doctor is on full display for the family to see and if they see something they question and later take it to litigation, well so be it.

Thank you for pointing out the book and members can access Amazon right here or their library or any book store if they are interested in reading it. :)

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