At Odds With Your Doctor?

A recent New York Times article reports on a growing trend in American medicine -- that patients no longer trust their doctors:

The distrust and animosity between doctors and patients has shown up in a variety of places. In bookstores, there is now a genre of “what your doctor won’t tell you” books promising previously withheld information on everything from weight loss to heart disease. The Internet is bristling with frustrated comments from patients.

But doctors say the situation is not hopeless. Patients who don’t trust their doctor should look for a new one, but they may be able to improve existing relationships by being more open and communicative.

Go to a doctor’s visit with written questions so you don’t forget to ask what’s important to you. If a doctor starts to rush out of the room, stop him or her by saying, “Doctor, I still have some questions.” Patients who are open with their doctors about their feelings and fears will often get the same level of openness in return.

Comments

[Jonathan Bonato]

I am a homeless HIV positive male who is receiving the twice monthly benefit of $29.50 from C.A.A.P. in the City and County of San Francisco. I am a patient at St. Mary's HIV Services, 2235 Hayes Street, SF, CA, a client of Positive Resource Center, a client of the AIDS HOUSING ALLIANCE, 427 South Van Ness, SF CA, a client of New Leaf in San Francisco, and the Department of Rehabilitation.

I have exhausted my emergency housing vouchers with Tenderloin Health and Aids Housing Alliance, and am at my wits ends trying to get into housing, temporary or permanent in San Francisco, moreover, the temporary housing I had secured was lost, when the San Francisco C.A.A.P. program reduced my benefits again to $29.50 twice a month.

On August 1st, I returned the C.A.A.P. check to Charlotte Grimes, Mayoral Staff, City Hall in San Francisco, stating I wanted Care Not Insult, or Cash Not Carelessness. I am exhausted by the search for accomodation, and the lack of money to do anything about it on my own. I have been homeless for two years, and one month. This has taken its toll upon my morale and ability to function mentally, emotionally, and sometimes physically.

I had secured a place through Catholic Charities, but my T Cell count was 750 last May, and my viral load was 450, which my physician, Bridget Stringer, At St Mary's Hospital in San Francisco, said was too good for me to enter Catholic Charities Homeless Housing Back To Work Second Chance Program.

I am temporarily staying with a friend in Novato, because SF County Adult Assistance Program had no housing available for me, and offered only a humiliating $29.50 "Care Not Cash" check which as I stated, I returned to the Mayor's Office.

I need help, am weary, and cannot focus on my job search with all this chaos of bureaucracy and confusion. Why did St. Mary's approve me for a disabled bus pass, but not for housing? Why did Department of Rehabilitation accept me as a client? What good does a bus pass do, or job search assistance do, without a place to live. And what good does a $29.50 check from General Assistance in San Francisco do for me?

Can you help?
Jonathan Bonato

[Natural Weight Loss]

You can always find another doctor. If you dont trust them walkway fast. There are really a lot of hype out there. Here are some best tips you can have.

The following questions can help you to define further what is most important for you:

# Where is the practice located? Will it be easy for you to get there? Is it accessible by public transportation? Is there ample parking?

#Which hospital(s) does the doctor use? Are you comfortable with the possibility of being treated at one of these institutions should the need arise?

# Where are routine x-rays and laboratory studies performed? Can these be done in-office, or will you have to go to an outside laboratory?

#How long must you wait for an appointment after you call? Can you be seen on the same day if you have an urgent need?
# Is the office staff friendly and courteous?

##If you call with a question about your care, does a doctor or nurse return your call promptly?

#Who covers for the physician when he/she is away? Whom should you call if you have a problem after-hours? If the doctor works in a group, are you comfortable with being seen by one of the practice partners?
# Does the physician frequently refer patients to specialists or does he/she prefer to manage the majority of your care themselves?

#Does the office process insurance claims, or must you pay up-front for services and file the claims yourself?