Collaborative communication between and care by health care providers?

Hi Swanson2023,

Interesting question, as I sit here a wee bit cold watching my dogs romp, I read my Mayo clinic connect so when I leave for my doctor's I have good questions for my doctor. For the most part for mydoctors that think my neuropathy is 'a given' like my arthritis, I move on. So, I ask questions, wait for answers. If the goal is not for me to be in the least pain, then I move on to the next. I do not want pills as the first answer either. What are realistic expectations for pain reduction?

I think the key is with having a good PCP that coordinates. I had an EXCELLENT one in NC, and am hoping to get one as good in SC. However, all relations with my other providers were 1:1 with her. It wasn’t a team where the Neurologist would talk directly to the cardiologist or the GI. My dream is for a system where there’s an integrative team that works together, and solve things like they do on the tv show House, but my personal experience is for specialists that work only in their own realm and with one PCP. I’m interested in learning of total team interaction as well.

Thank you
We are helping cast light on the need for what you share - total team interaction in healthcare. Mayo Clinic, other respected organizations, and insurance providers-including Medicare could help.
Please keep sharing the need for the system to change - for the future of healthcare, for our sake and the children’s sake.

Thank you
After experiencing the neurologist tell me I have neurology, I paused, then they said walk 30 minutes a day, I do. Provided no insight into cause, treatment-other than walking, or how to live with it.
I started searching on the internet and discovered the cause, medication, possible ways to heal the nerves (supplements, treatments) and ways to deal with neuropathy.
I became the coordinator of the communication between providers. As a nonprofessional, I need help with coordination - still looking - hopeful- your responses reveal the need to keep on keeping on - for others’ sake, mine too.

My doctors don't interact with each other about any of my health care issues. I am the coordinator. I think because I am a retired health care person, they figure that I can understand and talk to them and share what is happening.
I can't remember if there was ever any communication between doctors in all my life. They now just look at the computerized medical records to see what other doctors have put in the file. Another way the internet has taken the person out of the equation.

Yes - Well said
Use of technology has taken the person out of the equation.

True in education as well as healthcare.

Please share this with others !!!!

I don't think managed care is conducive to the team approach - they simply don't have time to call one another and consult. One occasional exception is when you have a PCP that is in a 'concierge' doctor network, who will call my specialists for clarification of a diagnosis or test result, if I ask him to do so. But I pay for this service (MDVIP) - about $1800/yr, above and beyond Medicare and Medicare supp. It also allows for a short wait time to schedule an appointment, and availability 24/7 anywhere in the U.S. Since I have multiple chronic diseases, I feel it's worth it. Otherwise, I'd spend the money in ERs. Another major shortfall in our medical system is that doctors get no education regarding side effects of drugs or cross-reactivity. Best to google any newly prescribed med before taking it to see if it will actually make your situation worse.

My PCP was going to start me on Antibiotic Levaquin. I started looking it up and found that Levaquin can cause neuropathy. I looked on several different sites including mayo clinic. I brought this up to him and thankfully we’ve changed antibiotics, so I encourage all of you to research all of the drugs you are on or may be placed on. We need to take charge of our own medical care as much as possible…. And maybe someday someone will come up with a treatment for this darn neuropathy.
Wishing you all peace and comfort, Bcool123

Yes
Thank you
Also start helping PCP to think themselves about medications - like you did!!

Help PCPs be responsible

I have mine sending to naturopathic doctors for nutrition plans

My experience reveals all you share.
It’s important to share this with as many as possible

I’d like to see the Mayo Clinic be a leader in helping the system understand and overcome what you share - and so many know
Broken healthcare system - and education system - reflect on my generation and is not good for future generations
We can be part of the solution