[ZX5chica]

Hey guys,
This is a bit off the beaten path here, but I was just wondering what rights we (ie: patients) have to demand services or second opinions with other doctors.

Basically, I have a GP who has been getting more and more lazy lately, and who keeps neglecting to remember my family history and my personal medical history. I got some test results back that would normally raise suspicion in anybody, but because of my history, it's something that we should act on.
She is refusing to take action by helping me get in to see a specialist. Not only that, but now she's leaving on vacation for two weeks, and this problem will be pushed to the backburner while she is gone, which could turn out to be a major mistake.

So the question is: What sort of rights do I have, as a patient, to demand to see a specialist in the field to confirm the diagnosis? Do I just have to b*tch until they listen to me, or is there any way of getting in to see somebody as soon as possible?

Thanks
Christine

[NefCanuck]

In a case such as this, I would suggest getting another doctor to see you (Even if it is a walk in clinic at this point) and discuss your concerns, including your family medical history. If you can get them to do the tests and get the same results back as the last tests then I'd say you've got a good case to get into a specialist.

NefCanuck

[meford4u]

There should be another doctor available to you when she is away on vacation. Try getting into to see them for a second opinion.

[torradan]

Should be a doctor taking over for yours while away.

It not, open the phone book, call a doctor, and schedule an appointment. They should be able to get the existing records from your current doctor.

Sounds to me like it would be a good time to find a new GP anyways, yours doesn't seem overly - not sure what word I'm looking for here - safe? reliable? Especially it she isn't remembering things. Please say she is keeping records of ever visit.

[thenorm]

they definatly keep records of every visit, they have to so they can bill the Gov and get there $$

[Frost__2001]

yeah I agree with Nef, go to a walk-in clinic if you have too to get a 2nd opinion right away, and if it is something serious to send you somewhere else then do it, and then afterwords change Doctors.

[oldeguy]

If you've lost confidence in your Doctor, ask your friends, about their Doctor's, and if the Doctor is willing to take on a new patient. Of course, you could try a walk in clinic, emergency ward, or check out The College of Physicians and Surgeons for Ontario. 'The one thing you have to remember, we "hire" our Doctors and if you don't like the "job" they are doing, fire 'em.

[FocusGuy7476]

if your doctor is doing that much of a lousy job, fire his/her ass. they basically are like an employee, and you get rid of people that aren't doing their job.

[focusracer]

I had a similar situation about 2 yrs ago and asked my best friends dad, who's a paramedic, about it. You have the right to havea second opinion on anything you feel you need to. Go to a walk in or even the emergency and see another dr. Another suggestion that he gave me was that every 10 yrs, you should switch doctors. In some ways i agree because it's a fresh set of eyes so to say looking over you but at the same time a long term family gp knows your family history and your history.

Another suggestion which you may not be able to do for a while yet becaus eof her holidays is to confront her about it.

That's what I did. Ended up explaining a whole lot of things that I had no idea of. His partner in the office was going through extreme chemo therapy at the time and was not in the office therefor passing all his patients onto my dr doubling his workload.

There could be a reason she's going on vacation, you never know. But get a second opinion soon if it concerns you that much. I would personally suggest a walk in or something of the sort instead of the substitute dr. They could feel awkward about it as may your gp.

[NOS2Go4Me]

Yup, snag a clinic or worst-case hit an emergency room.

I've switched doctors before and told the doctor I was leaving that they really ought to listen instead of just dispensing 5-minute medicine.

It's your life, make sure the mechanic under your hood is paying attention to YOU.

Good luck.

[darkpuppet]

Go get a second opinion... walk-in clinic, or sports clinic and ask to be referred to a specialist. If you ask, they should do it.

and since you're in ontario, check out this article at citynews.ca. They outline what you need to do to file a complaint... and in this case, I believe you should be filing a complaint.

My dad died because of a missed diagnosis, and my grandmother lost her leg because of another poor doctor.

But unlike in Thunder Bay, our options are so much better here in south/east ontario.

[ANTHONYD]

I lost my mother as well to a misdiagnosis. The doctor she had told her the lump on her breast was fat and not to worry about it.

4 years later, I'm putting roses on her casket.

Get a second opinion.

[darkpuppet]

ANTHONYD,Mar 9 2007, 11:00 AM Wrote:I lost my mother as well to a misdiagnosis. The doctor she had told her the lump on her breast was fat and not to worry about it.

4 years later, I'm putting roses on her casket.

Get a second opinion.
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absolutely s***ty man...

And there you have it chica... get a second and 3rd opinion, there's a difference between being a hypocondriac (sp?), and being legitimately concerned. I think you have the right to be concerned...

my buddy's girlfriend had a cyst pop in her brain recently, resulting in chemical meningitis. She got a 2nd opinion because her 1st doctor didn't seem so sure (it's just fatty deposits in your brain).. .and then flew to ottawa for a 3rd because the 2nd opinion didn't match with the 1st. In the end, seeing the right doctors was able to get her the right treatment, and the story had a happy ending.

moral of the story... you have every right to make certain you're getting adequate treatment.. please don't hesitate to do so!

[ZX5chica]

Thanks guys. We're (meaning my parents and I) on the track to getting set up with a specialist while my doctor is away. My GP called my house last night and left a message, telling me not to worry, but the condition name she left on the phone was different than the one that she gave during the initial diagnosis. Now we're just kind of asking what the heck she was reading from the report, and which condition name is it?

In any case, we're getting a copy of my file transferred to the president of the Ottawa hospital. He's agreed to hand them off to the first specialist in the area who he sees in the hallways. Ya for connections!

[oldeguy]

Connections are always helpful. Is good you are getting some help. Can your "connections" get me a good neurologist who won't quit on a difficult case?

[ZX5chica]

oldeguy,Mar 10 2007, 09:43 AM Wrote:Connections are always helpful. Is good you are getting some help. Can your "connections" get me a good neurologist who won't quit on a difficult case?
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Hahaha... I might be able to help you out there.... I'm a neuroscience grad student, and I know a few Ottawa area neurologists through my research. PM me if you want more info/you're willing to share more info