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[cvobiker]

WTF is wrong with health system these days??    Five years ago and after two failed minincus surgeries on my left knee I was told I needed a total knee replacement. So the hunt for a good orthocopic doctor was on. I found a good knee doctor that came with a good background and high recommendations. He was covered with my insurance so made an appointment to see him (5 yrs ago), and he basiccly confirmed I needed TNR but suggested I try to push surgery until i was 60 and rely on pain meds and cortisone injections. All this in a 20 min office visit.  I took his suggestion, been to his office at least 15 visits for cortisone treatments which was done by one of his assistants, on some of these visits I asked to see the Doc but he was always too busy.   Last August I decided I needed to do this surgery so made an appointment with the Doc, when arrived, again I saw his assistant, Doc was busy with other patients. So went ahead and scheduled surgery with with my Doc through his assistant.  Last Friday I had my per-opp which I scheduled with my doctor. When I arrived, guess what, Doc was busy with other patients and I was seeing his assistant. I couldn't believe this was happening and demanded I see the Doc I made the appointment with. They simply said, Soory can't happen, Doc is busy with other patients...  Well screw it,   I walked out, if I can't visit with the Doc that's going to tear my leg apart I ain't dong this..    NOW, I'm getting mixed reactions from friends and co-workers that this is standard practice...  Is it really???   No patient/doctor relationship anymore ??    I just don't feel comfortable having a stranger into my leg...    What are opinions here??  

[2k]

Can't believe that he is so busy he doesn't have time to stick his head in the door for 5 minutes. Whose gonna do the surgery? His assistant?

[JCZ]

I had total hip replacement about seven years ago....Dr. Merlin Lai (across the street from Sutter General).  He also saw me for the plate in my arm, the plate below my knee, etc.  He has an outstanding reputation and I saw him every time I went in to his office.  That was seven-eight years ago.

He's on the forefront.  At the time I got my hip replacement the FDA had approved the all titanium (all three pieces) replacement just a couple weeks before and that's what he put in me.  Said it'd last longer than the titanium/nylon replacment.

I always felt like he was genuinely concerned about my issues (I was pretty busted up....nerve damage, etc.) and that he was really listening to me vs. just going through the motions and trying to hustle me out the door to get the next patient in.

One thing for sure......I'm with you.....I couldn't proceed with a Dr. that I can't even talk to.

[ultrafxr]

I wonder how you can qualify to be an 'other patient.'

[Fired00d]

I had total hip replacement in January 2007 and from day one when I referred to my Ortho Surgeon from my Primary Care Physician I saw the Doc/Surgeon that was going to be the operation. On every visit since surgery for my hip I have seen the Doc/Surgeon that did the operation. I have since seen him for issues I had/have with my knee and he's operated on that since my hip surgery.

Definitely understand your concern... it would make me wonder if/when they put you to sleep who is really going to be doing the surgery.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[Twolanerider]

Not speaking specifically to the ortho side of things but to the general aspect of face time with the doc and, more importantly, getting questions answered from the most trained professional; you're being treated terribly.

Unfortunately it is the case that we deal with the Medical Arts and Sciences.  It's not all science despite the impression the profession would like us to have.  The trouble comes when the "Arts" side becomes more finger painting than finer work.  Or, in your case, when they don't even open the box of crayons.

It is important to know the guy, to get an impression.  You can't measure everything about the guy from short office meetings.  But you can measure some.  When my dad was still alive his death was an upcoming and drawn out episode over years that stemmed from a malpractice incident.  It was a doc that was a referral we didn't get to meet before a hastily performed back surgery.  Meeting the guy later alarm bells went off in his presentation and demeanor.

Going through the myriad other docs over the years that followed most are competent (or at least well intended) professionals.  One cardiac guy was a drunk though.  When twice in consecutive visits you're sure he's drunk you know to run away and not let the bastard touch you.  Another came in prep before a scheduled colostomy surgery having done absolutely no review of the case ahead of him.  Didn't know who the patient was, what the work was to be or what his complicated case history involved so could have made no preparations. 

They don't act like it but these guys work for us.  We pay them.  If they won't see you, talk to you, answer your questions and thereby prove at least the perception of competence our hiring them demands leave them the hell alone.  Do th due diligence on them too.  Check the history and referrals.  But the face time is important.

[UFO_HOG]

My wife had hers replaced June of this year, she is ** "Less than 60" and they wanted her to wait. We decided we did not want to wait and had it done. I do believe it's ultimately your choice. Now, as far as being on time  Our Dr. will miss his own funeral, we were postponed 4 days from the scheduled date, then postponed 9 hrs on the re-scheduled date. So like HD "That's Normal"

[Paulcvo]

I expect to have knee and hip replacement surgery in a few years. In the meantime, it has been Synvisc and Cortisone injections, with lots of Advil and Aleve. The replacement surgery technology continues to improve, so I am waiting as long as I can. Maybe by then I can get a full replacement.....from the neck down.

[lilcoot]

Get another doc.  If this guy is that busy, he's either completely disorganized or overscheduling so that he can retire at 40.  You are only a number to him.  MDs like this are the ones who operate on the wrong knee because they're so rushed, and don't even know the patient they're working on.

A big part of this is the MD education in the US.  They continue to limit the number of MDs trained in medical school, despite the population increasing.  By limiting the number of doctors available, they are able to wring more money out of the system; supply and demand.  We suffer because of their greed.

[LRebel]

I got into a similar situation with my primary care doc a few years ago.  Everytime I called to schedule an appointment with the doc, I was told that it would be next week if I scheduled to see the doc, but I could see the PA that afternoon.  I finally got my fill and told the receptionist that I was paying way too much for my health insurance to see the "second-string" and to make a note in my file to never ask or suggest that I see the PA.  I have not had any problems since.

I do have a good ortho doc.  I had pretty extensive knee surgery back in June... to prevent a total replacement (anytime soon, anyway).  I see him every visit.  However, after surgery I would see him, then he would send in his PA to shoot me with the Synvisc.  Not a bad thing though.... she is much better looking than the doc   

[muddypaws]

You did the right thing. I also need both knees and my doc said to wait until 65 as they only last 10-15 years so I will only have to get it done once before I'm in the home....

[dlaws01]

All you need to do is inform your insurance company that you are not being seen by the Dr. but by an assistant.  If by chance he has been billing as the attending physician he will have a lot of explaining to do.  This happens more often than you might think and is considered billing fraud. Don't take my word on it. Do research and contact the AMA. They will say the same thing. By the way, find yourself a dedicated true professional physician that is concerned about your health care and doesn't pawn you off on some med student.  Good luck with your surgery and may you get relief from your pain.  My prayers are for your full and rapid recovery.

[T-Hawk]

CVObiker, I Just sent you a PM...   

[LovemyCVOgirl]

You are a "patient".  If he is to busy to see you, that I suggest you get another Dr., cause he might get in surgery and schedule you for a 30 min procedure and if he's running past that time than he might stitch you back up with the job only half done. 

[JoeSDE]

You need to find a new doc. You want to find someone who specializes in total joint replacement because they tend to have the best results. Some docs talk about how many they do, but if they won't take the time to make you feel comfortable and explain exactly what you need, move on. You should feel as comfortable with your surgeon as you do with your longtime riding partners. I could go on and on however your in control of this. Shop for a surgeon the same way you would for anything else. I have been an OR nurse for over 30 yrs and specialized in orthopedics for 20--- there's a lot of great surgeons you just need to take your time and find one that meets YOUR needs. Good luck and it will work out.         JoeS