Update on Doctor Rant!!

"Naomi Pardue" wrote in message
...
Went back to the ENT today about my ear infections. My ears are feeling
much
better. Stopped draining about a week ago. You will recall that at my last
visit, after taking a brief peek in my ears, he'd just written me
prescriptions
for antibiotics, since he couldn't see anything due to the drainage. We
hadn't
talked about my medical history or anything.

Today I got the added pleasure of spending 90 minutes sitting in the
waiting
room before he graced me with 3 minutes of his time. He asked me how I
was
feeling. I said I felt better, and could hear again. He said 'good.' He
asked
me if I'd finished the antibiotics. I admitted that I had a few left. (I'm
bad
about remembering to take pills more than once a day.) He said that was
ok. He
looked in my ears. Said they looked great, didn't see any perforations. (I
had
to remind him which ear was supposed to be perforated.) Was about to
leave. I
said that the reason I was HERE was that I was concerned about the fact
that I
was getting the infections so *often.* He said "Small ear canals. Tendency
to
get wax. Try cleaning them with peroxide once a month. Here's the
instruction
sheet. Drop your chart at the desk on your way out."

My initial 3 minute visit cost me $60. (Plus $50 for the antibiotics.)
This
one will likely cost the same, plus half a day's lost wages. What fun. And
I
learned (gasp!) that I get wax in my ears. (Like I didn't' already know
that....)

Under these circumstances I would not pay for the second visit but would
return the bill unpaid with a letter, copied to my GP, tactfully and
succinctly describing the barebones "care" I received and requesting some
written justification for how the doctor spent his time and resources on me
that justifies more than $60 total for the two visits. What's he going to
do, turn it over to collections for $60? Unlikely. If enough people did
this, he might just change his practice style.

I can't imagine how bad this guy would be under a single-payer system. If
this is how he treats his cash clients, just imagine how he'd treat someone
who never sees what he is billing.

-- Dagny

"Naomi Pardue" wrote in message
...
Went back to the ENT today about my ear infections. My ears are feeling
much
better. Stopped draining about a week ago. You will recall that at my last
visit, after taking a brief peek in my ears, he'd just written me
prescriptions
for antibiotics, since he couldn't see anything due to the drainage. We
hadn't
talked about my medical history or anything.

Today I got the added pleasure of spending 90 minutes sitting in the
waiting
room before he graced me with 3 minutes of his time. He asked me how I
was
feeling. I said I felt better, and could hear again. He said 'good.' He
asked
me if I'd finished the antibiotics. I admitted that I had a few left. (I'm
bad
about remembering to take pills more than once a day.) He said that was
ok. He
looked in my ears. Said they looked great, didn't see any perforations. (I
had
to remind him which ear was supposed to be perforated.) Was about to
leave. I
said that the reason I was HERE was that I was concerned about the fact
that I
was getting the infections so *often.* He said "Small ear canals. Tendency
to
get wax. Try cleaning them with peroxide once a month. Here's the
instruction
sheet. Drop your chart at the desk on your way out."

My initial 3 minute visit cost me $60. (Plus $50 for the antibiotics.)
This
one will likely cost the same, plus half a day's lost wages. What fun. And
I
learned (gasp!) that I get wax in my ears. (Like I didn't' already know
that....)

Naomi
CAPPA Certified Lactation Educator

(either remove spamblock or change address to to
e-mail
reply.)

Was your ear infection an outer ear (canal) infection or a middle ear
(behind the eardrum) infection? It sounds as if it was the latter to me but
let me know if I am wrong. Small canals and earwax have very little to do
with middle ear infections - most likely due to an inadequately functioning
Eustachian Tube (various reasons for this). And contrary to popular belief,
it is normal and desired to have some earwax in the canals - most people do
not require routine cleaning. Some do from excessive wax production and some
due to wearing an earpiece or hearing aid which have a tendency to push
naturally migrating wax back into the canal. Hopefully there is another ENT
that you can go to instead of this one.

Jenn

Was your ear infection an outer ear (canal) infection or a middle ear
(behind the eardrum) infection? It sounds as if it was the latter to me but
let me know if I am wrong.

Not quite sure actually. There were symptoms indicative of both. Lots of
drainage and crud which seemed to imply an outer ear infection, but also,
especially early on) quite a lot of pain and pressure (and, most notably, some
very severe pain which resolved abruptly ) suggesting a middle ear infection
with a ruptured eardrum.
But... of course... since he never really examined me, beyond a couple of
cursory glances in my ears, and NEVER talked to me about my symptoms or
history, I guess we'll never know, will we?

And contrary to popular belief,
it is normal and desired to have some earwax in the canals - most people do
not require routine cleaning.

I know this, but I think I do tend to get more wax than is typical, and it
tends to build up.

Hopefully there is another ENT
that you can go to instead of this one.

There are a couple of other docs in the same practice, and I think there may be
another practice in town. But at this point I may just leave well enough alone,
or go back to my GP the next time I get an infection, and see if she has any
more words of wisdom for me.


Naomi
CAPPA Certified Lactation Educator

(either remove spamblock or change address to to e-mail
reply.)