Rude Meeting With Surgeon Today

Yes, all good points,not here to debate, in too much pain for that. Just saying I choose the correct diagnosis and competency over empathy, and respect gets respect. You can always find a surgeon who will do the surgery when five others say no. Sometimes patients only listen to to responses they want to hear.Everyone deserves a clear understandable explanation but it doesn't have to come with hugs. Here is an interesting article annout the dilemma
https://www.managedhealthcareexecutive.com/view/many-patients-say-their-doctors-lack-compassion
Wish everyone all the best with their health issues and pray for you to find the optimal paths to healing.

It is so sad what has become of our US medical system. I read the comments here and wonder if a class in rudeness is one of the last classes doctors take.
I retired in Mexico five years ago and the difference is astounding!! I'm possibly facing fusion but my doctors are still consulting with each other and making absolutely sure that when we go, we're going after the right problem. My team of four, two orthopedic surgeons, a neurologist, and my anesthesiologist (pain management) know & welcome each other's opinions. They are compassionate, caring and actually give their cell numbers out to patients in case we need to reach them. Yup, doctors do that here!! I've seen the top orthopedic surgeon in a Mayo Affiliated Hospital in Guadalajara for approx. $65 US, that's it. No insurance. He spent an hour and a half (not uncommon) with me explaining everything & making sure I understood it. He ordered some more tests eliminating other possibilities & sent me home with a back brace that mimics what the fusion will do to make sure that fusion will work. FYI. Medicare may cover emergencies only on a reimburse basis which takes forever.
I received the same attitudes you're all talking about at the IHC Hospital in St. George, UT. , Dixic Medical Center. The pain management doctor's attitude was cold, arrogant and mechanical, spent only about 15 minutes with me including the time he asked me about the cartels in Mexico because he was watching "Narcos" on Netflix!!
It's deplorable what has happened with the medical system in the US. IMO, it's degraded to a conveyor belt of minimal care.

Don’t do the replacement unless you want to sit and do nothing the rest of your life. Mine got loose and created problems that can’t be fixed.

I would get up and walk out. Second or more opinions are the best idea. A third one might be good since they didn't agree. I had a similar rude doctor I did not take his advice so he said "you'll be knocking on my door". I did not,and I found better advice.

Doctors hate when you refer to other doctors or compare treatment. He is human, and unfortunately took offense. He still should not have commented the way he did. I am sorry you had to deal with this.

I agree, anytime a patient is considering spine surgery, a second and third, and fourth opinion are in order. And I understand what you mean about rude doctors. There should be more training on bedside manner, but I guess if the doctor is lacking in empathy and social skills, there's not much we can do about that. I think it's as important as their medical knowledge and skill. No one WANTS to be in pain and having to spend every day trying to figure out how to get better, spending all their $ too. People in need of medical care also need a lot of compassion. I'm a counselor and I have treated many with medical trauma, some due to the way they were treated by doctors.

I had a doctor fire me as his patient for challenging him about not ordering a chest x ray when I was short of breath. Some of these doctors have big egos and that carries more weight with them than by doing right by the patient. If a doctor is rude to you do not have him touch you! Walk out the door as fast as you can.

Happy Medicare! Great coverage with supplemental but it does take longer and more work for doctors offices.
I’m getting 3 opinions before my minimally invasive surgery

Many surgeons work for organizations, not in private practice. They get paid and get their benefits, no matter how disrespectful or indifferent they are to patient needs.

The only way for this to improve is to decline service from badly behaving surgeons (and other doctors who think we serve them, not the other way around.

This idea that doctors, in general, and surgeons, in particular, are harder working than everyone else, more intelligent than everyone, and more worthy of respect than patients is archaic and only promotes the practice of recommending unneeded surgery that, at the very least, endangers lives by exposing patients to the risks associated with surgery but also in some cases shortens lives such as when a woman is told she should have both ovaries removed when they are healthy, due to a theoretical risk of ovarian or breast cancer despite reasons to believe it's not likely.

As some have noted in their comments. patients often feel too intimidated to advocate for themselves. When doctors disregard patient rights and trivialize their concerns, the outcomes can be life-altering for patients who must cost with health consequences for the rest of their lives.

The United States is ranked 37th in the world in health care, and it's high time this changed. Why is our healthcare system so suppressive to the people it's supposedly serving? Money buys power, and power often has no heart. But where does the money come from?

If a surgeon or any doctor or other health care provider doesn't answer questions appropriately, uses manipulative methods, or says things that seem contradictory to the studies, write them a letter and ask your questions and express your concerns in writing. More often than not, they'll refuse service unless they are appropriately humble and respectful of you.

Until we get a single-payer healthcare system like all the other advanced nations on earth, we'll continue to be treated like peons while doctors have godlike power over us.

The fact is that there are good doctors out there, including surgeons. However, accountability is weak, allowing the exploitative ones to flourish, even punishing patients who tell by writing false records that discourage other doctors from caring for them.

If a doctor is disrespectful, don't go back. You have the right to report them to the state medical board and to ask for an investigation of the facility if it's not supporting your interests and seems to be behaving in an unethical manner.

As long as doctors have the power of the pen with records and patients are demonized for holding them accountable, we'll have worse outcomes for patients. You have the right to review doctors on sites like Healthgrades and other doctor review sites. Read the rules for reviewing so that you write your review to comply with their rules so it won't get taken down. Doctors sometimes become enraged when a patient writes an honest review about their behavior behind closed doors. They may retaliate if they recognize their behavior and try to get other doctors to retaliate. They may slander you in the medical community. However, if you are accurate, it's better to review them and let other patients know. Again, be accurate, for the sake of other patients. If every patient did this, things would start to change.

You need to have a working relationship/dialogue with your surgeon. Your doctor got defensive and is putting the blame on you. Go interview other surgeons until you find someone who communicates with you. When a surgeon asks you what brings you here, say I’m interviewing surgeons for a possible upcoming surgery. Have your mri or x-ray reports and CDs so the doctor can review. I’m in the process of finding an orthopedic knee surgeon. First candidate failed, second candidate was comfortable in his own skin, an informative interview and I have a third scheduled for the end of July. Good luck.