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changing doctors
I would like to change my G.I. doctor. Mostly I do not like his partner . I am very grateful to him as he was instrumental in refering me to the transplant center where I received my second chance at life. He is a great man but I think a so so doctor. When I go to a new GI 2 is it necessary to let Doc 1 know? Can I ask that he not be notified? I went to a doctor before for a second opinion and when I went back to Doc 1. He knew all about it. I do not wish him to think I am ungrateful but all of my test are old anyway and I'm not really having any problems that aren't being handled by the hepotogist. The hepatologist is in another city so if I were to have problems here I need a local G.I. If I ask them not to pull Doc 1's records or notify him, will they?
They can't contact the doctor without your permission. The HIPPA laws prevent unwanted disclosure, even to other health professionals. They might want copies of your old records and want you to provide them, but you might have enough info on your own. Your hepatologist has records too, you could ask him to send copies. Did your GI act funny about you going for a second opinion? You said he knew all about it. Just be careful what you sign at the new doctors so that the old dr. is excluded. Best of luck.
Bug
Bug
Thanks for the info. I also live in FL and only tto NY to treat because the dr came highly recommended. I wish I had gone to Miami first to treat. I am going to stay over the night before as my appointment is at 12 noon. I know Dr Schiff is one of the best in this field and I'm hoping he has an answer for me. My problem is that I have Thalassemia and not many drs will treat with this problem.
Beagle
Beagle
Changing dr.s is like that old Seinfeld show where he changes hairdressers and is trying to not let the other one know. Have you seen it?
I too need to change dr.s because the nurse is a pain in the a**. They absolutely refuse to give me a 4 week hepatimax so I've asked my pcp to do it. I'm suppose to pick up the lab slip today. When I said I was having trouble dealing with anxiety they said they would refer me to a psychiatrist. I work 12 hour days and am short staffed at Christmas so I guess this is normal. I don't know what I thought I expected them to do-give me valium perhaps? Lol, probably really couldn't get any work done, I walk around in circles as it is.
Take care, good luck with changing, you're the consumer, you were paying him, you have a right to get the dr. you want. It happens all the time and they are too busy to care.
Bug
I too need to change dr.s because the nurse is a pain in the a**. They absolutely refuse to give me a 4 week hepatimax so I've asked my pcp to do it. I'm suppose to pick up the lab slip today. When I said I was having trouble dealing with anxiety they said they would refer me to a psychiatrist. I work 12 hour days and am short staffed at Christmas so I guess this is normal. I don't know what I thought I expected them to do-give me valium perhaps? Lol, probably really couldn't get any work done, I walk around in circles as it is.
Take care, good luck with changing, you're the consumer, you were paying him, you have a right to get the dr. you want. It happens all the time and they are too busy to care.
Bug
Doc#2 will need records of your previous treatment from Doc#1. Doc #2 will ask you to allow the release of that stuff from Doc#1 to Doc#2. Sometimes the medical profession can be intimidating. But these docs work for you (and your insurance Co). The most important thing to you should be your health and welfare, don't worry about the Doc's ego. It's priobably big enough already. By the way, the guy in Miami is Schiff, Shiffman is the guy up north.
Thanks for the response
PLN- I have a doctor in my group with a similar name, but I am in Florida. When I had my last appointment with them (last week) the nurse manager recognised the VX questions but stated that it would be a while. What your doctor said just confirms that. I am still anxious for VX to do well but probably better slow down on my expectations.
Painterlady and Ladybug: I know that they want the old records but I was just wondering if you specifically requested that they not contact the old doctor if they would respect that. Maybe I could ask on the phone before I make the appointment. I have seen the Seinfeld episode and it is so funny. I think Elaine was termed "difficult". ha ha Thats me I guess. Unlike Elaine, I hope I don't end up at the vet.
PLN- I have a doctor in my group with a similar name, but I am in Florida. When I had my last appointment with them (last week) the nurse manager recognised the VX questions but stated that it would be a while. What your doctor said just confirms that. I am still anxious for VX to do well but probably better slow down on my expectations.
Painterlady and Ladybug: I know that they want the old records but I was just wondering if you specifically requested that they not contact the old doctor if they would respect that. Maybe I could ask on the phone before I make the appointment. I have seen the Seinfeld episode and it is so funny. I think Elaine was termed "difficult". ha ha Thats me I guess. Unlike Elaine, I hope I don't end up at the vet.
Got it on the names. My nurse manager said that Dr schiff said that VX was reserved for patients in later stages of cirhosis and that it would not be available to people like me (post-transplant or earlier stage) until later. I really am more concerned about my health than a doctors ego and I will do what I have to do. But if I have to sign a release and am insistant are you saying it could be done?
I am in the Orlando area. I was treated and transplanted in Miami at Jackson. I have never seen Dr. Schiff but I understand he is the main hepatologist and apparently has something to do with the VX research.
The only reason I think that is because when I asked about VX at my last appointment, the nurse said she had spoken to Dr. Schiff and he told her that it would be a while for the post transplant patients. I beleive he is at the Miller School of Medicine which is on the MU medical campus.
The campus is huge. There is 4 or 5 hospitals (2 or 3 are childrens)Two medical schools, a community college with all the medical specialties and an institute for any and every disorder you can name. I was there 6 weeks after the surgery and had made at least 14 trips before. It is a 5 hour drive one way.
I think it is a great place for hep c patients to go for help although I do not know if they can tell you anything different than in your home state. Lets hope so
The area can be very dangerous if you leave the campus. Like just a block or two in the wrong direction so stay alert. Then when you are comfortable you can go not to far and be on South Beach with the rich and famous.
The medical campus is like a small city so most everything you need is there. Bank, restaraunts. Everything that is but a decent affordable place to stay. Hope you have made arrangements Hope for some great news. Anxious to hear
The only reason I think that is because when I asked about VX at my last appointment, the nurse said she had spoken to Dr. Schiff and he told her that it would be a while for the post transplant patients. I beleive he is at the Miller School of Medicine which is on the MU medical campus.
The campus is huge. There is 4 or 5 hospitals (2 or 3 are childrens)Two medical schools, a community college with all the medical specialties and an institute for any and every disorder you can name. I was there 6 weeks after the surgery and had made at least 14 trips before. It is a 5 hour drive one way.
I think it is a great place for hep c patients to go for help although I do not know if they can tell you anything different than in your home state. Lets hope so
The area can be very dangerous if you leave the campus. Like just a block or two in the wrong direction so stay alert. Then when you are comfortable you can go not to far and be on South Beach with the rich and famous.
The medical campus is like a small city so most everything you need is there. Bank, restaraunts. Everything that is but a decent affordable place to stay. Hope you have made arrangements Hope for some great news. Anxious to hear
Hi, I treated in NY and then relapsed 2 months post tx (i'm a 2B). I am now going to see DR SCHIFF in Miami in Feb. I'm hoping he will have something good about the new treatments coming out.
Sally, where do you live?
Beagle
Sally, where do you live?
Beagle
we're all still in high school. you may not pass notes to anyone not on the approved list without punishment. it's so pathetic - here you are (me and everyone else) trying to solve the life threatening problem of our health and instead we have to spend precious time making sure no one's ego is bruised in the process. i'm going through the same thing with my doc's office staff - trying not to lose it with them as ultimately it's me who will suffer - time, money, worry, aggravation, expense. as everyone knows, it's often not the doc that's the problem - it's his/her sentries. on the other hand, how good of a doctor can one be if one surrounds oneself with ----- i'll be kind . . . you fill in the blanks.
frustrated and wanting to change docs too coz of his incompetent pompus staff.
good luck.
wyntre
frustrated and wanting to change docs too coz of his incompetent pompus staff.
good luck.
wyntre
In Florida, and I guess elsewhere, the release of a patient records from one doc to another is acknowledged by a patient in writing, usually a simple form the new doc will have you sign. If you make appt with doc#2 it should be with enough advanced timing that so that doc2 can not just get the records, but review them before you meet. And, your situation sounds complex to begin with. I went to the UM guys for a second opinion, my TX doc insisted on it. So, he knew - he sent me. But, I had copies of all pertinent file,lab,test,bx info anyway. I just made copies for Doc 2. The UM doc wrote a 'tx recipe' that Doc1 is following. The patient comes first. Hope you can find a local doc that fits your needs.
Hi Sally,
I changed PCP's right before I started treatment and I loved my doc's nurse but he was not looking out for me. the new doc needed my old records and so yes the doc was notified when they asked for copies but I have never had to go back to him and that should also be your case. your new GI will want to see what has been done but you don't have to go back to the old doc unless you want to. Hope this helps
I changed PCP's right before I started treatment and I loved my doc's nurse but he was not looking out for me. the new doc needed my old records and so yes the doc was notified when they asked for copies but I have never had to go back to him and that should also be your case. your new GI will want to see what has been done but you don't have to go back to the old doc unless you want to. Hope this helps
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