Hello Everyone. I pray you are having the best day of your life today. Mine is going pretty darn good, I must say.
Today I would like to talk about whether the problems with VA and the service that we receive stems from the doctors or from the administration. I'm middle of the road and think it's both. However, another group that I belong to, Atlanta VA Medical Center Improvement Group, the moderator (Bob Teets) seems to think that it's more the Administration. I must say though that he has helped me quite a bit in navigating the administrative side of the Atlanta VA. If you are in this area I suggest you join this group. It is focused on improving the care we receive at the Atlanta VA.
As always, I digress from my topic but I'm back now. The reason I believe it is a combination of both is because I have had bad service from both. Yesterday I had an appointment with my new doctor, Dr. Phelps. He is a breath of fresh air after my last doctor, Dr. Ghanta. She was so mean to me and I'm one of those people who are very active in my health care. You are not just going to tell me anything and try to blow me off (doctor). She didn't like that and it showed in the way she treated me.
So I got a new doctor. Mind you this was not easy. As I said above Mr. Teets was very helpful in getting my doctor changed. I had tried to do it on my own but I kept getting the runaround (admin) and it seemed as if it was going to either not happen or take forever to happen. My point is that if you have a doctor that is not treating you the way you deserve to be treated, get another one, and if that one doesn't work, continue until you get one that does. Do NOT take no for an answer. You can change your primary care doctor.
Now what I'm about to share with you may blow your mind, but then again it may not. You all have probably had similar experiences or know someone who has. During my exam, it was recommended that I get an MRI to see why my right thigh hurts all the time and stays swollen. The doctor gave me the number to call Radiology to set up an appointment. So, I give them a call and almost said some words that I haven't said in quite a while. They look like this ^%$*%&)$#&@#. I did say almost. :-)
When I told him I needed to schedule an appointment he looked up my information and told me that the appointment had not been approved yet by the Radiologist. Huh? They have to approve me getting an MRI? Yes they do. They have to make sure that it is within the guidelines out of Washington (whatever that is), as well as determine if you really need one. Really? How is someone who has never examined me going to tell me what I do or do not need. This one is a combination of doctor and admin.
Of course, I ask him how long should it take to hear something. He said it could take up to 30-days. It may be only a week or so but don't hold him to that. WHAT? I'm in pain. My doggone leg hurts and I'm tired of being in pain. Why do I have to wait this long? This was all in my head, I didn't say it out loud. Normally I would have taken it out on the poor person on the phone, but I've long ago realized that they are only doing their jobs and giving me the information as they are told to.
I don't know if I've proved my point about it being both doctors and admin or not but my main point for this post is that you take charge of your healthcare. Don't allow anyone to treat you less than what you deserve.
As always, thank you for your support.
TTYL - Be blessed!!
So frustrating
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