Re: A favor from our readers~Dr. Hill
From: Robin (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sun, 13 Feb 2000 13:00:59 -0600 (CST)
Dr. Hill.....
I have to say that even though I have had some unfortunate problems with
SOME of the residents that have been involved with my case (had one
Resident when screwing my head into a halo, didn't screw it in tight
enough and ended up with two very deep wound on each side of my head!),
there have been some very excellent ones.....there was one that each
time I was hospitalized this summer with the Pancreatitis or Staph
Infections or DVT's, he was the first one to come into my room to check
on me.....heck, sometimes the residents can be better than the docs,
especially in the bedside manner dept.
Something I did forget to add in my previous response is that the
Residents, and I am talking about some of the more well seasoned, and
even some of the younger ones, will spend more time with the patient,
and that does mean a lot to us. I've also been fortunate to have
Fellows take care of me, so they are definitely more well seasoned. I
used to go to Emory University, and as I'm sure you are aware, you can't
get in the door without a resident there. I know personally, as long as
my Dr. is there listening and watching, I feel a lot more comfortable
with the resident. Thankfully I have not had the experience that
"Sweatpea" had, the Drs. and Residents included me in all that was
talked about.
Okay, I apologize for rambling....just wanted to add a bit more. Hope
you do not mind.
Hope y'all had a great time at the beach...We in Atlanta, lost our 70
degree weather and sun :o(....Take in a few rays for me ;o).
Hope you and your wife are doing well with the pregnancy!!
--
Robin
At Sun, 13 Feb 2000, D. Ashley Hill, MD wrote:
>
>Thanks to everyone for their comments thus far. I am familiar with the
>unfortunate situations that "sweetpea" wrote about. Fortunately, we do
>not behave that way at our office, as the residents are always
>introduced and patients are offered the opportunity to decline
>participation. Further, medicaid rules now require that an attending
>physician interview and examine all patients under a resident's care.
>This is a good rule, although it has placed a burden on many teaching
>programs. In our office residents are part of the history/physical, so
>they ask questions and help with the exam. Since they are Family
>Practice residents my patients with non-gynecologic problems are very
>pleased, because they get a free second opinion about their
>hypertension, diabetes, or funny looking mole! The majority of my
>patients seem to like it, because I teach to both the patient and the
>resident (using non-medical terminology). That way everone wins. Still,
>I would like to develop a protocol that allows for teaching but is
>patient-centered, so no patient feels that she is an unwilling
>participant. Thanks again. I am done with the yard and am taking my
>wife to the beach this afternoon. I hope everyone had an enjoyable
>weekend.
>
>At Sun, 13 Feb 2000, anonymous@obgyn.net wrote:
>>
>>At Sun, 13 Feb 2000, D. Ashley Hill, MD wrote:
>>
>>>Any insight into this from our readers?
>>
>>I've spent the last 2 years getting medical care from a teaching
>>institute. Annoying observations:
>>
>>1. Residents don't speak. It's like someone chopped off their tongues.
>>A class in communication would be nice.
>>2. When accompanied by the teaching gyn, the resident is RARELY
>>introduced. By my count, that makes him/her a total stranger with no
>>business in the room.
>>3. The teaching physician often does not behave or speak to me as he
>>normally would. I get entirely different care when a resident is
>>present.
>>4. Questions from the patient aren't "allowed" when a resident is
>>present. Oftentimes the teaching physician seems to think he must also
>>teach the resident how to "be in control." I never get my questions
>>answered when a resident is present. I always end up emailing the doc
>>later.
>>5. Many "teaching physicians" use residents to do all the work and they
>>themselves have little to no input or even bother to review the work or
>>be present. Some even refuse to review the work upon patient request.
>>(I had this happen just last week. After spending an hour with a
>>resident and an intern, I was uncomfortable with both. I asked them to
>>please ask the "teaching physician" to come in. He did -- and proceeded
>>to tell me that he didn't "oversee" his residents' or his interns' work.
>>That, unless I allowed these other 2 men to finish their work, he, the
>>doctor I actually had the appointment with, would not even speak with me
>>further. Then he left the room. I thought about it. Then I left as
>>well.)
>>6. Giving long case histories to 1 person is a pain. Giving it to 3,
>>each separately, is a royal pain. (I've had this happen too.)
>>
>>I have no patience left for the "teaching institute" and now regularly
>>write into the consent form my requirements that must be met prior to a
>>resident being even present in the room. Including the littlest things
>>like "All personnel must be appropriately introduced and their medical
>>degree and function identified."
>>
>>You asked for insight. Just one patient's perspective.
>>
>>sweetpea@loveable.com
>
>--
>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.
>
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