Incompetent Doctors

[twinmaker]

Tell if I'm being a little too sensitive or what...but yesterday I decided I needed to go to the doctor (family practice). I had had a sore throat and cough for a couple of days and it wasn't getting any better. I quickly went to list of docs approved by our insurance and came up with one who was close by. They worked me in yesterday afternoon. Went through my whole history with the nurse. Then a third year med student examined me and went through the history. Then the doc comes in and we go through my history once again. Went through all the meds and the reasons for them. OK, so he's listening to my chest and asks if I have a porcine valve. I could hear the clicking without the stethoscope. And I just assumed he knew why I was taking that high of a dose of Coumadin. Could he have thought it was because of my A-fib only? He said he could hear the aortic valve murmur, but what made him think my mitral valve was porcine when he had to hear the clicking? Do porcine valves click? Is he incompetent or am I being silly, or should I just use him for the minor everyday stuff and forget it? Maybe he was just rattled by my history. He wasn't a young doctor...maybe around 40. Any thoughts? LINDA

 

[bvdr]

Well, the only reason I can think of is that with a mechanical valve the noise would be normal but with a bio-valve it would be abnormal and possibly require some further intervention on his part. I'd probably give the guy a break. Even the best docs sometimes make statements or do something dumb. Not long ago I had to get a copy of a routine office visit note from my cardiologist. In it was the phrase that my chest was unremarkable except for a well healed sternum. I never had a sternal incision since my incision was under my right breast. I just kinda shook my head when I read it. I know that when dictating sometimes docs open up their mouths and what almost amounts to a form letter pours out.

 

[JohnnyV_46]

I don't trust too many doctors...You know what they call the person who finishes last in medical school.......Doctor...Shoot my pediatrician when I was a kid, nor my PCP now ever heard my Heart Murmur.....

 

[MrP]

I've never been to the doctor for a simple cough and sore throat ... never will. And thank goodness for the doctors who saved my life and dedicate their lives to helping others.

 

[Granbonny]

Linda

Linda

I'm sure if you look around..you will see the Quick Med offices..They have a lot of different names.there are many in any large towns.We used them a lot when we were helping our son raise our now age 14 year old Grandson ..mainly for the quick care for sore throat, upset tummy, fever, ect. they will dx meds for you..Most do take Insurance...We are lucky that we have a branch from the large Clinic down in Gainesville.They do mostly dx's for meds, ect..but, will do bloodwork, ect. and refer you to a doctor..if think it is more serious....I have used them several times for sore throats, cough, ect.In and out in a short time....and their meds were great..in fact, I had one DX med for an eye problem..went and picked it up..$90.00.. but it worked..another time, for a realy bad nagging cough..same thing..$90.00..but, man did it ever work.. Insurance paid for them. .They know my history..from having my blood drawed before I got a hometesting machine for my INR....so, they just look at my record and give me the right meds. ..Bonnie

 

[twinmaker]

Thanks for everyone's input. I guess maybe I've just been spoiled when it comes to doctors that I've had in the past. I just don't feel quite as comfortable with my cardiologist here or now this family practice doc. Because of the meds that I'm on, I need to have certain bloodwork done every six months, and cardiologists don't want to be bothered with that....at least mine doesn't. And for things like this sore throat, I can't call my cardio. At least this doctor is close. Two minutes from my house. And he's in the insurance plan.

Mr. P. The reason I go in pretty quickly for a sore throat is because I'm afraid it might be strep. I'm in the shape I'm in now (heart problem) because of Rheumatic Fever which can happen when a strep infection is not taken care of. Thank goodness I don't get sore throats and coughs very often. I also get bronchitis (sp) very easily and with the holiday weekend coming up, I just didn't want to sit and get worse over the weekend. Worse yet, I didn't want to end up going to an emergency room over the weekend.

LINDA

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Finding new doctors can be DIFFICULT, especially when you are new in town.

Have you met anyone in the medical field who impressed you? If so, ask them who they consider to be a good PCP. Nurses are usually a good source of information. You might even want to just drop in at the local hospital. Go to the desk on the Cardiac Floor. Dentists and Pharmacists may also be helpful. I suspect you would get a more open response if you do this in person, one on one.

GOOD LUCK !

'AL Capshaw'