In my last appointment two additional people joined the doctor I was seeing. No one explained anything, and no one explained their function. The way they entered room and surrounded me was unsettling. I didn't really understand what was happening, I was really uncomfortable and embarrassed. I went with the flow. I ended up going to another doctor after this appointment because I didn't understand the situation and the one question that I asked, the response shut me down. I stopped talking in the appointment. I didn't feel comfortable going back. He also talked about surgery in front of them, too. I was caught a little off guard with that, and why would you have that conversation with extra people with no explanation of their presence?
The new doctor provided me with non-surgical options for the other issues I didn't feel comfortable addressing in the appointment. They explained that surgery wasn't necessary just cosmetic. It was something I understood, but also didn't comprehend because of the situation that was actively occurring while I was having the conversation with the first doctor. It took me over a month to get into the new doctor, get my questions answered, and address my issues.
The office also states that I was directly and verbally asked before anyone entered the room, and I verbally agreed to them joining, and I did not.
The Privacy Dept. stated there were only three people in the room. They also wouldn't explain what a resident was or the purpose of a resident. They fought with me, like the office manager and wouldn't answer any of my questions. I did finally get someone to explain what a resident was. They finally told me what the job title of the fourth person, but the reason they were in the room is still not clear to me.
There are a lot of unanswered questions about the appointment, the people in the room, why there was a laspe in communication, why the office workers think I verbally agreed and understood what was happening, and where or if I can get the rest of my pending questions answered.
I keep being told that the provider's memory differs from mine, but I know what I experienced. I know how I felt, and I'm struggling with understanding fully why I felt so inimitataded that I didn't stand up for myself, why no one explained anything, and why no one will answer my questions.
Be ready to be told, 'I'm sorry for any violation that you experienced, but you signed a document.' Part of the issue is, how do I understand what is happening if I have no context, I'm caught off guard, and feel like an animal in a zoo?
Be on the ready for office workers rushing into your room and getting bulldozed in your appointments. Be ready for a provider's memory to differ from yours and the whole hospital staff gang up against you and not provide information you have a right to.
Be ready for a rude office manager that won't point you in the direction of how to get your chart notes updated, will not explain how to obtain your chart information or will not let you know IT fixed your account so messages can be sent, and for that person to add additional people onto the email without explanation. As well as, telling the office staff your name along with how you viewed your appointment. What happened to anonymous feedback so their's no retaliation by the healtcare workers or office staff? Also, to randomly be left a message that states, 'I was told to call you because the office manager said so, I understand you have questions from our last appointment.' Thanks for reaching out, trying to call back was rough...
Be ready for the Privacy department to not answer questions, be sarcastic, provide inaccurate information, and treat you horribly.
Be ready when you call with questions to be told you'll have to figure it out yourself instead of being transferred to a nurse.
Good Luck...
