Advocate for myself

From years of being morbidly obese, my knees are shot.  I need knee replacements on both of my knees.  My left knee is so bad that I'm in pain just going from one room to another in my own home. 

A couple of weeks ago, I went to an ortho doctor to get injections in my knees to try that before going for knee replacements.  He was awful.  He told me that from being morbidly obese, what did I expect.  He said that he would have big reservations in even doing knee replacements for me because since I've been morbidly obese before, I might be again.  I was so upset.  He was so condescending and just awful that I left in tears. 

After thinking about it all day, I decided that I wasn't going to put myself through that.  I don't want to have to deal with a doctor like that.  Like all of us are customers of retail stores, we're also customers/patients of doctors.  I came home and went through the process of changing ortho doctors.

Yesterday I went to see my new ortho doctor.  I am so glad that I changed.  He was everything that the other doctor wasn't.  He was very kind, compassionate and understanding.  Most of all, he was supportive of me.  He commended me for trying the shots first (insurance required that I do it) and then an eventual knee replacement.  He also told me he respected how much pain I've been in. 

My point here is that I had a WOW moment of not putting up with someone that was not a partner in my health with me.  I'm so grateful that I used my voice and my power as a patient to be my own advocate for what is best for me and my health.  My take-away is be persistent, and take care of my health care by choosing physicians that partner with me and not put me down.

Good for you!  That other doctor was a judgmental asshole   My brother is an ortho surgeon and he would never treat anyone that way.  

You're 100% right about him!  It is a shame there are health care providers out there that are like that.  The good thing is that there are more health care providers such as your brother that make up for the Dr. Ass types.

You are so right.  Actually a doctor and patient is like a relationship.  If you don't connect it isn't gonna work.  If you have a good relationship with your doctor he will go far and beyond his call of duty to help you.  Don't you wish we would of had this surgery years before.   I often wonder if I would have a much better back if I would of.  Good Luck

Brenda

You're right, the doctor/patient is a relationship.  Taking that a step further, I would never have a friend or any relationship in my life like that.  Why would I (or any of us) settle for that type of relationship with a doctor?

One of my favourite phrases is "you teach people how to treat you" - well, changing docs is doing exactly that!   You taught Dr Ass that he cannot treat you like that!  

The only problem is, if you didn't point out what as ass he is, he won't realise you are gone unless you let him know - consider sending him a letter outlining why he is no longer your ortho doctor of choice - you *may* be saving someone else from his ass-douchery!

The health care system that my insurance covers sends out online surveys as follow-ups sometimes to doctors you already see AND especially as a new patient.  Right after I wrote my post, I received a survey from them on Dr. Ass.  I really used my voice loud and clear.  On a star ranking of 1-5, I gave him all 1's.  His nurse was great so I gave her 4's and 5's.  Then, the best part to the survey, they ask for comments and feedback.  Thankfully it wasn't limited to a certain number of letters so I repeated the comments he said and let them know how he impacted me. 

I also gave my appreciation to my new doctor as a contrast to him.  The survey is distributed by an independent third party from the health care suits which is good.  As you suggested, I'm also going to write to the hospital administration to let them know as well. 

I'm also going to go on some online doctor review sites to write a review.  I want to do everything that I can to let people know of my experience so they can make an informed decision for their own ortho doctor.

I wouldn't want anyone else to walk away from an appointment with him as I did. 

Too many people think that they have to accept whatever treatment they get from doctors just because they're doctors. I'm glad you've decided that you deserve to be treated respectfully and with care and concern by your ortho! Medical skill is only part of the equation, doctors also have to realize that they're treating *people*, and it's not conducive to helping people improve their health if you treat them like a douchecanoe! I second the notion that sending a letter to your last doctor to let him know why you left him may help him realize that he's being a jerk to people. If you decide to write a letter, make sure to be as factual and unemotional as possible in describing your reasons for your decision. It may have a better impact that way.

I hope your new doctor can help with your knees, the pain you're in sounds terrible. 

I did receive a survey on him from an independent third party that gathers input from patients.  I rated him accordingly plus provided my feedback.  Just as you suggested, I made it factual and not emotional.  I know that feedback is received with more consideration if it is factual rather than emotional.  If I'd completed the review that day, um yea, I would have been emotional.  Now, standing up for myself and picking another doctor, I want them to know the facts.

As both you and Kim suggested, I am going to write a letter to the health care system administration to let them know.  I'm also going to go to some of the online review sites to leave a review as well.  Not to hurt him but to share my experience with others so they can be knowledgeable before making the selection of him as their ortho doc.

I just wanted to say congratulations Cathy for standing up for yourself!  You are an inspiration!!!  xxooxxoo