Preparing for a follow-up exam …

Ray - I kind of had a first for me. I had an appointment Tuesday as my PCP referred me to a Neurologist network in my neighborhood, as the other one took 2.25 hrs to get to, and it's not practical. The unfortunate thing is that by "local", it means his "real" office is off in the city, and he only comes to my neighborhood office 1 day a week - the only doctor there, with his nurse & a busy receptionist. As just establishing care, I was going to take it easy and had only 2 basic questions (so I didn't make a list). I was in the waiting room with 3 other patients behind me when I was called, and the doctor was 45 minutes late in seeing me (3 pm had been my appointment time). He asked questions, tried to get my history as he was checking my strength, temperature feeling, non-reflexes, and pin pricks. He was very nice, I liked his demeanor, but he was very hurried, stood, and said "I want to see you again in 6 weeks", and literally rushed out the door while my mouth was open. I did not get a single question in! I checked out, a bit bewildered; it was about 4:15 and I noticed there were about 3 NEW patients in the waiting room, so I guess the other 3 were in exam rooms, so with the office shutting down at 5:00, there was no doubt a rush to catch up. An unfortunate thing I noticed on the old fashioned sign-in sheet - 2 people had signed in for 1:00, 2 for 1:30, 3 for 2:00, so on, and 2 for my time of 3:00. I was never a fan of that scheduling, but even before Covid times, I guess patient no-shows & lateness helped promote that. But the part that plesantly surprised me despite not asking questions? It was him scheduling me back in 6 WEEKS instead of months. I will prepare better, and first did so by choosing a morning appointment.

Ray,
I feel like you should always be prepared when you go to a doctor and writing down the questions you want to ask helps. I have peripheral sensorimotor polyneuropathy and my first neurologist, who I saw once did not even call me by name or introduce himself. After getting 12 follow up appointments canceled, I went to a new neurologist; I wrote 42 questions down in my notebook that I took to the appointment. The Doctor gave me a 1 hour and fifteen-minute appointment and answered 38 of my questions before I asked one. I saw her again last week after being diagnosed with CIDP and had another hour appointment. I have been disabled for 28 years and have been to many doctors. I have learned to speak up and tell them what I need to know as well as what I think I need. Good luck to you.

Hi. A highlight of my recent visit to the neurologist was his saying that I'd posed good questions (I had sent them in advance) and that one of my questions (about Vit. B-6) had made him double-check for the most recent studies. We had a real give & take, and I'd like to think he enjoyed the conversation as much as I did. I wish you all the best in tackling your CIDP! – Ray (@ray666)

I also wear a ATO on my left leg. Ditto on your comments.
I also have Neuropathy in both feet. over three years. Do you have Neuropathy?
Thanks,
Berk

@gba - Berk, yes...I have bilateral axonal peripheral neuropathy caused by who knows, not a diabetic, gradual onset over years and due to drop foot and poor balance, the AFO's were prescribed. Nobody else in family, genetic testing came up with zero. Numbness up to shins area and has not extended much more in past 2 years, minor in fingertips. The AFO's go on morning to night 7 days a week.

Deb - I had a primary doc about 25 years ago who could not keep appointments on time to save his life. After about 3 years of this, I decided it was time to go. Waiting in the "waiting room" for 2 hours did not sit well so when I was called in, the nurse took my vitals and said he will be in shortly. Finally, the doc walks in and says....sorry to keep you waiting. I said no you're not, if you were sorry, you would take a look at your waiting room. I said forget the appointment, I'm here to let you know I won't be back, and I will let you know where to send all my records. Two weeks later, my records were forwarded to my current primary. He was a good doctor, I felt he knew medicine, but I had to make a decision. This was very uncharacteristic of me, but I felt better. I now make any appointments as early as I can in mornings.
I know we all have odd experiences with doctors but this one I won't forget. For once, I walked out of a doctor's office with a smile on my face! Ed

@dbeshears1 The fall was a trip up the steps caused by the drop foot, down I went and ended up with a sprained shoulder. Ouch! It is a slow healing process. Glad you were not hurt on the fall involving chair, what you learn in PT has paid off. No doubt, the PA's are with us and I'm glad. They have a different approach to things....to start with, they listen to what you have to say. And it comes down to the fact that many docs left practice during covid.

Good evening @dbeshears1 and @ray666. I am very interested in the discussion you two are having regarding the timing issue. In my life, I have usually been regarded kindly and given sufficient time with medical professionals. The most outstanding has been my orthopedic surgeon. He always made sure we had covered everything. He also came to my room in the evening after reverse shoulder surgery to make sure everything was o.k. for my first overnight. He personally walked me down to the imaging room when I was telling him about the pain and discomfort that was still in my arm after the shoulder surgery. He said, "Chris we are going to check out your neck." He didn't just tell me to make an appointment.....he took me to the imaging center. He personally handled the insurance company when they denied coverage for shoulder surgery. I always have a picture of him rubbing his head as he was trying to secure coverage.

Now that is a bit much. However, he is with a very large healthcare facility. It appears he has just set different boundaries.

Turn the page now and think back to your follow-up messages on the portal. Do they list the amount of time that is allowed for your visit or the amount of time that was used for your visit? I recall being rather surprised that a new endocrinologist at Mayo gave me an hour for an osteoporosis consultation.

Do you think the insurance companies have established these "time" limits?

I also notice that in order to make sure that patients are on time, some schedule their appointments with a 15-minute lead. Does that help both the patient and the doctor be more likely to stay on time?

Here is another way I try to not become a time disruption. I compose a list of updates on my presenting issues......past and present. I give a copy to the physician and one to my life partner if he is with me. That becomes our agenda. My PCP appreciates and looks forward to having this worksheet.

Just some Sunday evening thoughts. May you both have happiness and the causes of happiness.
Chris

Just some ideas. Thanks for opening this discussion.

Chris Trout (@artscaping), Debbie (@dbeshears1)

I must confess that my doctors have always treated me with great respect. As I think back now, I can't think of a single time I felt abused or ignored. I attribute that to the professionalism of my doctors and the extra effort I put in to preparing for an appointment. That's all part of my philosophy of treating my doctor/patient interactions as teamwork: We're in this together. A year ago, I asked my most trusted neurologist if he would be my medical "overseer." We'd been talking about how many doctors, especially neurologists and their PAs, a patient ends up seeing when he has something like peripheral neuropathy. To my asking if he'd be willing to be my overseer, he said that he was happy to "quarterback" my team. That's the kind of doctor he is.

Ray (@ray666)