The way things went yesterday with the intended bloodtests had made me feel irritated.
One of the basic things of dealing with patients is preparing for a consultation at the moment of making the appointment.
When taking over from another doctor you check what needs to be done.
I was referred to a doctor of internal medicine I don't know. But it happens often at an academic hospital. My former doctor moved on, so...
The appointment came to me as a follow-up appointment, which means that the content of the meeting is the same as the content of the former meetings. That also means that when you have do get your bloodwork done a week before the appointment, you should do that now too.
Waiting there for half an our, to find out that doctor didn't do his job, was irritating.
I had made arrangements to be there in time: asking my son to fetch me earlier, asking my daughter to push the wheelchair there, etc etc. Sitting with my leg down for half an hour causes a lot of pain.
And of course I am on the hunt for mistakes, as agree with the complaints person.
After more experiences like these I was not prepared to let it go.
Mainly because I need proper help and support at the moment, as my glucoselevels are far too hard to control.
So already yesterday I thought it best to cancel the appointment with that doc. We won't have anything to talk about... unless he wants to refer me back to the GP...which I don't want, because the GP knows nothing about dealing with diabetes. (She had me walk with a hyper for over 2 years, refusing to prescribe insulin.)
The best help is from the diabetes nurse, so I made an appointment with her.
Today I informed my former doc that the transfer went wrong.
In case he didn't give the required information. That would be strange, as everything is in my files...
I wrote the new doc that the appointment would be cancelled.
Told him why.
Also that his omission was in line with some other experiences of the past months.
Like when I needed diabetessupport when I was at the ward ad I could reach no one.
Like when I was referred to the dietician who told me to look thigs up on interet.
Etc etc.
All pointing to a kind of general attitue of: "Patient, deal with that yourself."
Said he could contact me to tell me the list of the requiered bloodtest is at the lab, so I can get it done on Friday, when I am there again for the nurse.
I wonder if my reachtions would have been different under normal circumstances.
I don't think so.
Teaching medical students changes the way mistakes are dealt with.
It's a kind of addition to being a normal patient, always trying to improve things for patients, and requesting respect for patients.
I also think that when someone is referred to a new doctor, the first consultation should not only be preceded by an appointment, but also by a list of what will be discussed and/or reviewed.
Right no I have choen for the person who can support me best in the poblems I now have: the diabetes nurse.
So we'll see what will happen.
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