Finding a G.I. doctor

It's difficult if you are trying to see another doctor that is in the same clinic... It shouldn't be! You may have to look outside of that clinic. I'm currently in the same position. The vascular surgeon I feel doesn't hear me and comes across dismissive 😕. I have a post op appointment with him this Friday. We'll see what happens. I may be looking elsewhere even though I love the Mayo clinic 😞

Hi. I may have misstated: I have been trying to see G.I. docs in different clinics. But here, in Seattle area, they are connected when they want to be. And they pulled up my history of the different clinics. However, what they totally miss is that I have only seen one (1) G.I. doctor for treatment. One was for a procedure only, and one was an ARNP zoom. Those last two do not count in my book!!!

Sorry you are having a difficult time 😞. I saw four gastroenteritis before I was finally diagnosed with MALS. The others all gave a different diagnosis. Keep advocating for yourself, no one else will!

This actually has happened to me, and it is infuriating! Although, it’s kind of odd that it’s happening with gastroenterologists because it’s not that strange to ask for a second opinion (or more). I’ve seen 4 GI doctors across 3 different medical systems, so 2 have been in the same clinic (but my regular GI doctor referred me), and I actually have another appointment with a new GI doctor in the same clinic.

Anyway…not to bore you with those details. I was turned away when I was seeking a GI psychologist (they offer gut directed hypnotherapy or cognitive behavioral therapy for functional GI conditions), and it’s very hard to find a provider. I maxed out the allowed sessions during the height of the pandemic lockdown and we were stuck doing phone sessions and therefore couldn’t do hypnotherapy. They discharged me anyway. With the support of my GI doctor, we looked for someone new.

Exactly like you said, no less than THREE GI psychologists at various academic medical centers used Epic (the medical records software most medical centers use) to access my records and canceled my appointments because I had been seen elsewhere. I was livid. They wouldn’t even listen to what happened (hello, COVID) or even talk to my doctor.

Here is what I did: I enlisted my PCP to help me reach out to the next person I wanted to see. AND: I turned off Epic’s Care Everywhere feature. That effectively shut down the ability of providers in various medical centers from accessing my records without me either reactivating Care Everywhere or handing over clinical notes directly (the old fashioned way). That gave me back the control to share what I wanted, when I wanted.

Some providers I can tell are kind of irked or annoyed because they can’t see everything and it is sort of annoying that I have to report my medications over and over again, but I don’t really care. I have multiple, complex, intertwined health conditions and providers can easily judge me based on my records. There are also very clear errors in the records that I haven’t been able to have corrected despite trying. I prefer to be the one to tell my story when seeking a second opinion or other care. It could be an issue in an emergency but it’s not hard for me to turn it back on and I don’t have any conditions or serious allergies that would put me in significant jeopardy if emergency action would need to be taken.

I’m not sure if the clinics you’re using use Epic, but it’s highly likely because they’ve cornered the market on medical records. If that’s the case, in a large medical center, there should be a HIPPA person or office you can contact and request to turn off Care Everywhere. Or, do you have a primary care or other provider you could ask to help you communicate with another GI doctor?

Wow!! Go you. I am so sorry this has happened to you, please understand. However, you have tricked the system and I love it. Yes, Epic is used widely here. And yes so many med mistakes that need correcting every frickin' time you are at an appointment. I will heed your advice and attempt to do same. Thank you for that and the best of luck to you!

All I get is test with list of problems found then it's filed away in the electronic file. Frustrating. We have a pass the buck society in everything 🤷‍♀️

I am not a doctor, but my take on this is most medical doctors have the same training on just which medication to prescribe for which ailment, because much of medical school curriculum is based on suggestions from the pharmaceutical industry, and if you fail to respond to those drugs, they may not know what to do. It may cost you a bit more, but my advice would be that you visit a naturopath and you will find a new type of medicine based more on diet and supplements to cure your problems. In addition to a standard medical curriculum, naturopath doctors complete four years of training in clinical nutrition, acupuncture, homeopathic medicine, botanical medicine, physical medicine, and counseling.

Yes, indeed. Have done so in past. Unfortunately had to do so via zoom which I believe is limiting. Thanks.

Yes!!!!! I have. Ridiculous. I had to really advocate for myself and tell them I needed a new Dr for many medical reasons. Unless a Dr isn’t taking on new patients they really can’t turn you away!!! Just because you’re established somewhere else doesn’t mean you can’t switch or go for another opinion!!! Zoom for gi patients is ok to me if you’re just telling you all your symptoms and need different meds etc. but if I’m in pain and have symptoms no way am I agreeing to a zoom appt! Good luck. You’ve got this. They have to see you.

Lol thanks. I hope it helps and it’s not too hard to get to the person who manages the Epic access. It wasn’t hard for me because I’m at a large medical center.

I do believe it worked for me because the first time I had a consult with a GI psychologist after I turned Care Everywhere off, no one intervened after it was scheduled to cancel it. And maybe it ended up being for the best because she’s a really great fit for me.