I’ve been frustrated (intro, the first post)
Generally, I’m an optimistic, glass-half-full kind of person. So, I hate to start something with a negative slant. But I can’t help it. I’m frustrated. I’ve been suffering in silence for the past couple of years, maybe venting to friends every so often. And I know I’m not alone in struggling with the medical world– Michael Moore has created an entire movie about a small segment of a larger problem (I haven’t seen it yet, though.)
So, I’ve been stewing recently, and vented some in an email to a friend last night. Then it hit me. I am, among other things, a writer. Hence, this blog.
Specifically, since moving to Philadelphia in December 2004, I’ve faced one problem after another dealing with doctors offices here; all centered on interpreters and communication. I’m not a saint, I’ve got my quirks and flaws. And I’m a strong proponent of the “not everything bad that happens to you happens because you are deaf!” idea. But ignore me one too many times, and I can’t avold it– I’m suffering from the oppression of deaf people by the hearing.
Sheila said,
October 18, 2007 at 3:15 pm
Hi Nancy,
thanks for sharing this with me. I too have faced run ins with the medical profession over the years and more so over the past year when confronted with some health issues that are serious…. From not having to take any medication at all in my mid 50’s, I now have to take 5 medications in less than one year. Two of the medications are required due to side effects from mandatory medications….. I have what seems like 6 doctors I have to see from time to time and one of them once a month. It’s very aggravating as it seems I have to constantly call that doctor’s office to make sure there is an interpreter for my next appointment when this should be standard practice, providing interpreters for each appointment.
I worked with the Patient Advocate in my medical system and he at least got the staff in the system to realize interpreters need to be provided at each and every appointment… but I still have to remind the doctors when I go to the office for the appointment. I wish there were a way to email them instead of having to call as the calls end up leaving messages on voice mail machines and it’s hard for them to call me back as I never see the light flashing on the TDD when the call comes in. When I ask about the email possibility, they tell me they are reluctant because they quote HIPAA…. and their concern that the email system is not secure. Like you, I could go on and on…
Will look forward to reading your blog and see how you fare.
Sheila
purpleswirl said,
October 18, 2007 at 3:45 pm
Sheila, that’s interesting about HIPPA– the privacy policy. Doctors have never told me why they won’t use email, and I’ve always assumed it was because they are afraid of spam. Betty’s doctor in DC, Dr. Lia Karm was great about this– Kaiser’s system didn’t let them use email outside of their intranet. But she worked on it, and finally got an email that she could use with Betty. She understood communication was much more important than the remote possibility that the email would not be secure. — Nancy C.
Sheila said,
October 18, 2007 at 4:48 pm
I agree, I think of the old adage, ‘where there’s a will, there’s a way’, surely it can work per what you said above. I did manage to have email with one doctor office just to confirm an appt and a parking permit so that was great and didn’t really necessarily involve any confidential information come to think of it.
Sheila