Question:
Anyone bothered by surgeons reading their patient profiles?
I was just wondering if anyone is bothered by the fact that their surgeon comes here and reads their profiles and comments regarding the office staff, surgeon, etc.? I read a profile of a woman who was dropped by a surgeon for expressing her opinion regarding the unprofessional attitude of the office staff and her prospective surgeon. This bothers me. While I do not think patients have the right to slander a physician, I also think this site is mainly for us, the patients and we should be allowed to come here and express our opinions, positive or negative as long as they are not libelous or meant to slander anyone. I realize there are conditions for which a negative comment might be made, so does anyone else feel uncomfortable expressing their opinions if they aren't 100% positive about their surgeon or his staff? I don't like the fact that a secretary can read what I say and then can use that against me or hold it against me. Anyone concur? — [Anonymous] (posted on July 2, 2001)
July 2, 2001
No I don't agree if your not in this program as part of a team with your
Surgeon and there staff then you better find one that your comfortable
with.
Why would we want to hold back we need total honesty if someone does'nt
like what they read then maybe it will get fixed if it needs to be fixed.
Just think how knowledge a Surgeon can learn from this site and then we'll
all gain.
— Mike H.
July 2, 2001
I agree with u...I'am actaully having surgrey on the 9th of july...and
everyone at my dr. office has been really nice and helpful in every
way...but 4 one person which was the person that files out the forms for
disalibty for work...I called her like 3 weeks ago because I had faxed the
letter there 4 the "doctor" to fill out but its seems that shes
the one that does it she told me that it wouldnt be doen tell the day of
surgery...well i'am not about to wait tell then because if it doesnt get
done then I have no income commming in...well I called this week to let her
know that it takes up to 3 weeks to process the papper work...and she was
like well I can send it but if for some reason your surgery date gets
change I will not fill out another one I only do them once so..being the
person that Iam...I was like ok if u have a problem doing your job
regardless now many times u have to do it to get things rite I'll just have
the doctor do it for me..or someone that can do it other then u...I dont
think I was asking to much it was like I had asked for your damn blood...it
was just something that I want done so that is one less thing I have to
worry about after surgery I just really found her to be really rude about
the whole thing..I dont know but I do intend to say something when I go in
there 4 my per-op meeting..and I dont care what the think I'll speak my
mind someone has to...ok I think I have said enought lol sorry I'am sure
ya'll know how it is lol adrena..:-))
— Adrena A.
July 2, 2001
I believe more surgeons should come to this site and read our comments
about them and their staff. The feedback could actually help them to
improve relations with their patients if the comments indicate problems.
There will seldom be 100% satisfaction about a surgeon or staff but
certainly if there's a problem, freedom of speech gives us the right to
express these opinions as long as they're not libelous. That person who was
dropped for writing what she felt should thank her lucky stars she was,
even though it may not seem so now. But she doesn't need that surgeon if
he/she chose not to re-evaluate the quality of customer service provided by
the staff, but chose instead to lose a patient. Maybe the doctor also
doesn't care about the quality of service he/she renders. If that office
continues like that then there won't be any patients left to serve.
Remember if we are satisfied we tell one, if we are dissatisfied we tell
twentyone. Just my 2 cents.
— dandjon
July 2, 2001
In my opinion, If I had a problem with a surgeon and posted it in my
profile and he read it and dropped me because of it - I wouldn't want him
as my surgeon anyway. Infact, If I had such a problem that I considered or
did post it in my profile he wouldn't need to drop me, I would be dropping
him. A lot of people read the profiles so if you theres something you don't
want anyone to know I wouldn't post it. It wouldn't surprise me that
employers don't read the profiles. I think about that everytime I bash my
employer because they don't cover this surgery :))
— K T.
July 2, 2001
I had a very different experience. I posted here that I have been having a
difficult time and Elaine from BTC called me and gave me a pep talk and
encouraged me to get in touch with the dietician in Belvidere to help me
work out the rough spots. Despite the excellent care that I had received
at BTC, this extra mile attention both surprised and pleased me. There is
nothing like positive support and encouragement to help you get back on
track.
— Nanette T.
July 2, 2001
I have often wondered about some of the WLS centers posting fake profiles
just to boost there own center for more customers. I know of one place in
Houston that I really feel does this for there own profit and buisness. And
I dont feel the Drs have anything to do with this and most surgeons are to
busy to come here and read profiles, but office staff, now thats a
different story.
— [Anonymous]
July 3, 2001
Someone in the Dr. office may read about dissatisfaction and may hear your
complaints and they may even drag their feet or drop you. Ultimately, who
do you want to operate on your life? The process is tough enough without
people intentionally making it harder, but humans have both natures. I
believe in posting honestly for the sake of other PATIENTS considering
services and if the Dr.'s office holds that against me, well then they
should have had better service and they won't be getting referrals from me.
— Danine N.
July 3, 2001
I personally doubt that many people at the doctor's offices are reading our
posts. From my experience, it seems as though my doctor's office barely
knows the site exists and certainily don't frequent it - they're just too
busy. Any doctor who would drop a patient for expressing their honest
opinion is NOT a professional!
— [Anonymous]
July 3, 2001
People, you are amazing! The surgeons that care do come here to read what
the patients think and if a patient wants to complain what kind of
relationship is that for the staff the surgeon and the patient? I think
everyone needs to think about what they are saying. I would have NEVER had
my Dr. operate on me if I felt that I was not getting the most honest, open
and comfortable surgeon for my care. You are the ones that have to look at
this surgeon for the rest of your life. If you dislike anything about him
find another. Get a clue. Would you go to an OBGYN that made you feel
uncomfortable? Be honest with yourself and others on this page.
— [Anonymous]
July 3, 2001
I posted this question. I was uncertain as to the response I would get, but
am glad that the majority of people agree with me that the ability to
express an opinion that is neither slanderous nor libel should be allowed
without the fear of being dropped by a surgeon because he thinks you have a
"personality conflict." The particular surgeon I am referring to
read this woman's post himself and did not like her appraisal of him or his
office staff as unprofessional. Rather than take the tack of trying to
rectify any problems that exist, he rescheduled her surgery and then waited
a full two weeks for her to come in for an office visit before he told her
to her face he would not be doing her surgery. I think that is grossly
unprofessional, especially when it is based on what she wrote in HER
profile. The comments regarding her care were in the vein of his demeanor,
how it was rude of him to take a call without even excusing himself during
her initial consultation. Plus, she found the office staff to be rude as
well. These were her opinions typed soon after the experience. Who is to
say that she might not have changed her mind later on down the line? We all
do that from time to time, one moment someone makes us angry, the next we
are friends again. Using something someone said as a basis for dropping
them from your care is capricious and shows a real lack of caring and
concern as to whether or not her complaints were valid and reasonable. I
for one will never use this doctor, based solely on his behavior toward
this patient after her comments were made, not because of the comments.
— [Anonymous]
July 3, 2001
This is for the anonymous poster who made the incredulous comment about how
"you people are amazing." I think you don't understand that
sometimes there are little, minor irritations that someone might type in
their profile the day they occur and then the next have no problem
whatsoever. We aren't always afforded the choice of a surgeon we are
comfortable with, nor are we able to switch around until we find someone
who we are comfortable with. Sometimes you take what is available. The
purpose in my posting this question was to point out how unfair it was of a
surgeon to dump a patient simply because she made some minor critical
remarks regarding him and his staff. Minor meaning by making a comment
about how she felt they were all rude or inconsiderate. That is her
opinion, and does not necessarily prove that she has a problem with this
surgeon's capabilities or whether or not his staff is capable. People run
like hot and cold water, inconsistent. Behaving in an unprofessional manner
because you don't like what a patient has to say about her first experience
visiting your office is unprofessional and irrational.
— [Anonymous]
July 3, 2001
Human response continues to amaze me. The president of our country shamed
his family and us--those of us who cried out against this behavior were
told to for-get-about-it. John Rocker says what's on his mind in New
York--the baseball world is shocked and he's treated like a criminal. Pete
Rose gambles and he's barred for life from a place he belongs--the baseball
hall of fame. One patient states an honest opinion--how she felt, on that
specific day--and now she's chastized for saying how she feels. I just
don't get it!
— [Anonymous]
July 3, 2001
My doctor read my profile... told me it was the first one he'd ever read...
and thanked me for expressing myself about his office. He said most people
are afraid to give them feedback and without constructive criticism, they
can't grow.<br><br>
I think it's GREAT if a surgeon is interested enough in you and your life
to take time to really read about what you're going through. I think it
would be educational for many surgeons to read even one or two profiles,
because they see mainly the medical part of this surgery, not the social
aspects.<br><br>
I look at it this way... if you don't want your opinions, statements,
medical details, or anything else available to anyone in the world on the
web (including your boss, your father, your spouse, and your surgeon) then
you are stupid to post it here. Your name WILL come up on a search engine
with your profile after you've been around a few weeks, so anyone can find
it easily. I don't say this lightly. I have a lot of personal information
in my profile, and I know that anyone can read it. I am a generally open
person though.
I think surgeons need to roll with it a bit, though. They are not all
perfect, in fact, just like most very busy people who are convinced they
are super at their jobs, they can be jerks sometimes. Many of them do not
pay their staffs well or have high turnover because the work is hard. They
can't realistically expect every patient to rave about them. Getting rid of
a client who complains about a wait is just childish as far as I can see.
If my surgeon was going to drop me because I was somewhat critical, as long
as I was honest in what I said, well, honestly, I would rather not have
that person hold my life in their hands. Just MHO.
— Julia M.
July 3, 2001
i have no problem whatsoever with the surgeon reading my profile. first of
all, i always update it. i kinda treat it like a diary. since drs r always
so busy & they dont have the time to sit & listen to u talking on
& on & on, reading a constantly updated profile gives them a lot
more insight to who u r, what to expect from u as a patient & what u
expect from him/her as ur dr.
as far as any derogatory remarks or complaints about him and/or his staff
goes...i not only would use this site as my sounding board i would be sure
to tell the dr or his office manager exactly how i felt! and i have done
this many times in the past. the results it got me? better service from the
dr & his office staff! in fact, a few times, it even made me (hubby or
children) a preferred patient! eg: who is this? sheryl titone? of course
the dr can see u today!' i have never had a dr refuse to treat me after
telling them what i thought. all of them thanked me for my honesty,
apologized, promised to speak to the person in question (or improve his own
manner)& we would be on much friendly terms after that for the duration
of our dr/patient relationship. & u can bet i made sure to tell
them...'if this continues, i WILL find another dr.' i always make sure to
use a tone of voice that doesnt put the other person on the defensive, as
tho i were attacking them. my mom always said...with honey u catch flies.
u can take the girl out of new york but u cant take new york out of the
girl lololol.
— sheryl titone
July 3, 2001
I think it's fine for a surgeon to read comments his patients has listed.
This is an open website for all to view and learn. I feel if someone does
have negative comments about the surgeon, hospital, and staff about based
on their manners, abilities, compitence, etc. they should consider looking
for a new surgeon. With a life changing procedure such as this, you have
to trust and belive in your hospital staff to take care of you.
— Cristy K.
July 4, 2001
I'm posting this anonymously only because I'm afraid of spamming by some of
the previous people who answered this question. To the previous poster who
mentioned Pete Rose, John Rocker and former president Clinton - please keep
your political and moral opinions to yourself. This forum is not the place
for that.
— [Anonymous]
July 4, 2001
Why does ANYONE post online using their real name anyway? That's a
rhetorical question. You do it to be 'honest and open' or because you never
considered just how much grief you can cause yourself by NOT remaining
anonymous. Look, the waiting lists for this surgery are miles long -- THEY
control us, not the other way around. So play the game! I wrote a letter to
one surgeon just to ASK if what I'd heard about his office online was true
(that the wait was about 4 times longer than they tell you) and I NEVER
HEARD FROM THEM AGAIN. That was 8 months ago, after I had my consultation.
They just dropped me.. don't return my calls, etc. I'm having surgery
elsewhere in 2 weeks, but still, if I hadn't had this 'backup' surgeon, I'd
be in limbo. I urge you all: DO NOT underestimate how rotten people can be.
Plus, the doctors don't even come here to read: there have been at least 3
cases on this very board where MEMBERS have copied a profile or posting and
GAVE it to the person's surgeon, just to tattle!! Use a fake name, for
goodness' sake! YOu are gambling with your life by insisting on being
"open".
— Veronica D.
July 4, 2001
If I were a surgeon and read negative comments from a pre-op patient, I
would worry that post-op the patient would be even more negative and more
likely to sue. If you don't like the doctor, move on. I've noticed that
the folks who are the most successful with WLS, seem to be less critical of
others.
— [Anonymous]
July 13, 2001
Mine is not the situation described in the question, but there are some
similarities. My former surgeon "dumped" me after his clerical
assistant found a post on this site describing the surgeon's calling up a
patient the night before the scheduled surgery and telling her she might
have grave heart problems, after which the surgeon did not show up at the
hospital the next day. There never was any allegation that the post
appeared under my name (it did not). The surgeon's clerk just got on the
Internet to look for dirt, and deduced that the information must have come
from me, as the doctor hadn't done that to anyone else that week. Yes, I
am glad that someone else did my surgery, for this and other reasons (I'm
keeping an eye on his practice, and am disturbed to see that he's talking
an increasing number of his patients into a hybrid restriction-only
procedure that only he advocates, and that seems bound to lead to needless
revisions for what should have been a one-part surgery in the future). But
I certainly do not "thank my lucky stars" that this happened to
me. It was an ugly experience that I will never forget and would not wish
on anyone--even him. It did strike me as amusing even at the time that the
surgeon was naive enough to believe that she who told others about a
surgeon's operation no-show would keep quiet about being
"dumped." Of course I posted the news on the Internet within
minutes. And the e-mails of inquiry continue to come in; I get at least
one a week, months afterward. It's also amusing to watch the doctor try to
duck patients' criticism by moving himself (for purposes of this site only)
to "Cut Off, LA" and then misspelling his name for a new
surgeon's page. Anyway, we owe it to each other to be as frank as possible
about our experiences with the doctors we entrust with our lives, and the
physicians with skins too thin to take the criticism should switch to a
practice that's not so Internet-driven. Keep those e-mails coming!
— Miss C.
July 13, 2001
I wasn't going post this anonymously, but changed my mind after thinking
about what I wanted to say. Last summer when I was waiting for the
paperwork to go through I posted about my experiences dealing with the
company that does all the insurance work for my doctor and many others. I
had called a number of times and had been told that my "file had been
moved to the top of the pile since I needed to have my surgery done within
a certain time frame." Someone on this site copied my profile and sent
it to Weight for Life. The next time I called I was greeted with a very
rude response and felt that my surgery approval was in jepardy. She accused
me of spreading this information in chat rooms and "now everyone was
going to expect special treatment." I couldn't figure out what she was
talking about since I had only been to the chat room once and don't think I
said anything other than "Hi." I finally realized she was talking
about what I had written in my profile, so I went back and deleted what I
had written so I wouldn't cause any problems for them or for me. I really
felt threatened by her attitude since she had the power to say if I did or
didn't get my surgery. I also didn't realize that search engines would be
able to find me listed here and used my real name. I'm not ashamed of my
surgery, I just don't think everyone in the world with internet service
needs to know my personal information.
— [Anonymous]
July 13, 2001
I think we should say what we think about our experiences with WLS, good or
bad. Otherwise, what use is this website?When I came here for information
and support in my WLS journey, I expected to see honest opinions, not
sugarcoating. And I believe I'm a reasonable person with enough common
sense to read between the lines and decipher which posts are probably
accurate and which ones are exaggerated. So, PLEASE, write what you want
and don't worry if it ruffles feathers at the doctor's office or on this
website. Nobody has a right to dictate how someone should feel about their
doctor. And for those of you who speculated that "maybe you shouldn't
be using that surgeon if you have problems with that surgeon", how do
you know that person doesn't already intend to find another surgeon? Maybe
they're just blowing off steam and need your support while they search for
another surgeon, not clever lines about "maybe you're the
problem". Or maybe they are limited by their insurance company or
money and can't just drop one surgeon and find a new one. There are many
outstanding doctors in this field, but there are also some real lemons.
And the only way for people new to this site to research surgeons is to
read ALL opinions and decide for themselves. And the surgeons or office
staff who do read these profiles should be thankful for the compliments and
referrals and work like the devil to improve things when they receive
criticism. This is not a "doctor" driven business. It is a
"patient" driven business. And one day soon, when WLS is so
commonplace that the surgeons will be competing for patients, the ones who
were jerks will be more than sorry for the error of their ways. Spam away,
if you must, it's just MHO.
— Val D.
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