WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for February, 2000: Re: A favor from our readers

Re: A favor from our readers

From: anonymous@obgyn.net
Sun, 13 Feb 2000 11:44:21 -0600 (CST)

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Hi Dr. Hill,

I understand the need to train residents. I have participated in helping train medical students in how to do a cardiac exam which is done at a local university.

Where I have problems with the use of residents is when the resident comes in first, with no introduction from the regular doctor and the patient is not asked if this is ok in advance.

Example: Last year I had an appointment with my cardiologist. A resident walks in and starts the appointment. I was not asked if this was ok. I do not want to have to answer or ask questions twice. Sometimes the information you want to relay to your doctor does not happen because you are going through another person or during the course of the exam you might forget what you want to ask. I have also seen a change in the doctors attitude toward the patient when they are in with a resident, and it was not for the better.

My old cardiolgist (he died) had the right way to do it. He would come in and do the exam and I could talk to him. Then he asked, is it ok if so and so comes in and listens and does an exam. That is fine.

When a patient has a complicated medical history as I do, I don't want to have to try and communicate with another person who does not know my situation. I have no problem with them observing or doing a procedure in the office as long as my doctor and I can do what we need to first. Because of my complicated history, I think that I am a good patient to look at and observe, but let me talk to my doctor first. I don't want to leave the office feeling like I forgot something or that my needs were not properly communicated.

I am really glad that you asked this question. I have been thinking about it since my appointment last year and I intend to let my doctor's office know in advance.

I hope this info helps.

D.N.

At Sun, 13 Feb 2000, D. Ashley Hill, MD wrote: >
>Ladies-
>
>I hesitate to use the forum for a nonmedical post, but I need a hand
>with this. In addition to a busy private ob/gyn practice, my partners
>and I also serve as full-time faculty for a Family Practice residency
>program. We teach our residents how to perform Pap smears, bimanual
>exams, breast exams, and how to deliver babies. Although many patients
>enjoy interacting with our residents (all of whom are doctors already),
>many decline to participate. At first glance it seems obvious- why
>would someone want another doctor participating in a genital exam?
>However, medicine is an apprentice system. There is no other way to
>learn physical exam skills, and someday younger doctors will be in
>offices, hospitals and emergency rooms. Without adequate skills they
>will be unable to provide quality care. My theory has been that the
>majority of patients, once they understand this, will allow a resident
>to participate.
>
>Any insight into this from our readers? Thank you very much in advance!
>
>--
>David Ashley Hill, MD
>Associate Director
>Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
>Florida Hospital Family Practice Residency
>http://home.mpinet.net/dahmd
>
>My apologies, but due to time constraints I am unable to answer private e-mails.
>

Next message: Dawn: "complex ovarian cyst"
Previous message: anonymous@obgyn.net: "Re: Asking Questions - Vicki"
In reply to: D. Ashley Hill, MD: "A favor from our readers"
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