Power to the Patient

I had an appointment with one of my breast cancer doctors today (I'm on a follow up plan with three docs--surgeon, oncologist, and radiologist, that involve appointments every three to six months. It's part of the plan and I'm good with that schedule.)

It's not unusual for two of my three docs to run late; I've had to wait has much as two hours for the oncologist... I don't appreciate being made to wait, who does? But you do what you have to do when you're in this boat.

So there I was this morning, doing a slow burn. I had a mental intervention and decided that I wasn't going to take it. I was the first appointment of the day and he was 30 minutes late.

When the medical assistant took me to the exam room, I asked her if the doc was in the building (I've learned through experience that asking if the doc is running late is useless, I ask if the doc is in the building).

She said he was not, and I asked her to find out when he'd be there. Actually I told her to go find out. She came back and said someone had him on the phone and that he'd be with me in 10 minutes. I told her, "Go tell whoever he's talking to to tell him that if he's not here in 15 minutes that I am leaving, with my copayment, and that I will expect a call from him with the name of the surgeon he will turn me over to, because I will be through with him."

She came back, having delivered the message. I apologized to her for speaking the way I had. I told her I knew it was not her fault and that I'd had no right to speak to her the way I had. She was gracious and so very kind. She deserved better than I'd given her. She smiled and said, "Don't apologize. This happens all the time."

He walked in a few moments later. And I gave him an earful. I never raised my voice and I did not get emotional. I spoke in an even tone.. and I let him have it.

I told him that, over the course of our nearly 2 1/2 year relationship, he has been late for every appointment. EVERY appointment. I have been on time or early for every appointment. I have done everything he has ever asked of me so that I could get and stay healthy. I said I was offended of his lack of respect for me as his patient (really, I said that!). I told him that I wanted him to understand how upset I was and that if he could not tell me when to make an appointment that he might be better able to make on time, I wanted him to give me the name of another doc and that I would take my "business" elsewhere.

I shocked the hell out of him. He was genuinely stunned. And very apologetic. He has laughed off some of my comments in the past, and I've never appreciated that, but I always took it. Respect for the doc and all that B.S.

I think it was calling him on his lack of respect that made him really get it.

Until the next time, I'm afraid. I honestly don't expect things to ever get better, but I wasn't going to smile on the outside and steam on the inside. Not again. I know there are emergencies but I expect and deserve some consideration and an apology when things fall off track.

Why do we let people in positions of power push us around like that? Doctors do this all the time... and it's so frustrating, particularly when you spend as much time at medical appointments as I've spent in the last two-plus years.

We all need to learn to speak up, but we need to be sure we speak to the people who have the power to make something work.

If you're ticked at your doc, don't lash out at the medical assistant or the receptionist. It's not their fault that the doc double books or runs late. These good people are the ones who bear the weight of our fussing and complaining. Be good to them.

Disclaimer: OK, I'm the mother of a medical assistant, a hard working, wonderful health care professional who has taken her share of crap from patients over the last couple of years. She helps me be a strong patient. I think she'd echo what I've said here. If you've got something to say, say it to the doc.

Stand up for yourself. Be your own advocate. Give hell when it needs to be given but do it with respect. Your health care needs to be about you and your needs.

You have the power. Use it.

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