I was glancing over the "news" stories they feature on AOL's main page the other day (by now "the other week"...as I've sat on this idea for a while) and happened upon one which piqued my interest: Doctors Seek to Silence Online Reviews . Honestly, I'm reluctant to click on any of AOL's "news" links because chances are I'll be shuffled off to some guy's blog who apparently knows someone on AOL to get the prominent front-page link-up...
...but, I was a bit intrigued as it spoke to me in a language I have recently begun to be far too affluent in: medical.
It seems some doctors are so miffed about all those "Rate Your Doctor" sites readily available to even the least adept Googler, that there is now a service (or probably a few by now) where, for a fee, your physician can pay some "company" to troll those sites and report all the "bad" findings back to them.
This apparently was enough for some doctors to get so bent out of shape over that they've added yet another form for you to sign when you fill out that ever-growing stack they hand you when you get there: Basically, a promise that you will not go to any of these sites and rate them in any negative or derogatory fashion. Oh, and it doesn't stop there. You also cannot mention anything against them on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, or even on your personal blog. You are, in essence, being stripped of your First Amendment rights in order to receive medical care from these doctors. And, if the trolling service finds you have indeed breached this contract with your doctor, you are then - terminated. Plus they can also then bring legal action against you. Nice, huh?
So, we are now being told that not only "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" - but also public criticism. This is absolutely ludicrous - it is censorship at its most base level.
I am not aware how many of you have used these ratings sites...or even know of their existence - but I have done so, for obvious reasons. (I have some medical issues for those of you who don't know.) Not that I would use them for any "make or break" decision device as I'd wait to "rate" my doctor after a face-to-face visit. But, I do like having at my disposal, the opportunity to peruse the credentials of a doctor whose name is the only thing known to me. You see...he had MY whole history splayed out in front of him to pre-judge me...way before he opens the door after that obligatory "two-knock" custom they must have learned somewhere between Pre-Med and Residency...and he has it still.
Certainly you've seen it, haven't you? Oh, surely I can't be the only one to sneak a peek at what's inside that mysterious manilla folder they gaze at, and up from, whilst talking to you. You know the one I'm talking about...that one they leave open...enticingly within arm's reach of you - when they are called out of the room for a moment.
Haven't you ever been curious about what's inside that thing? For sure it has lab reports and a little synopsis of your current and past ailments - but aren't you at all just a little interested or even a bit more than nosy to know what else they keep in there? It is, after all, YOUR folder - I've read and signed those disclaimer sheets I spoke of earlier...we are entitled to view it. So, recently, I've taken it upon myself to investigate just what my doctors say about me - you see...this is the stuff they never share - other than between themselves.
At the risk of implicating myself even further than I already have, let me toss out a few things I've surreptitiously gathered about myself during my "I spy with my little eye - super quick-like before the doctor comes back in" waiting game. (Thank goodness for that "two-knock" warning.) I have mastered the art of stealth equivalent to a James Bond Ninja - I can leaf through it - photograph it with my "super memory", return it to the original page and pop back on that papered "couch" with the agile ability even "Grasshopper" from that "Kung Fu" show of the '70s would have envied. Then to complete the whole effect - I don my "mesmerized by the circa 1980s 'worn at the edges from the cheap thumbtacks' human anatomy posters" facial expression. Trust me - I've got that whole dance down to a science - I AM poetry in motion - bad poetry...a Haiku perhaps - but nonetheless, I've yet to be caught.
But in a way I feel like I have been caught - I am that unruly child whose school folder is stamped "TROUBLEMAKER" and passed from one grade's teacher to the next - labeling me before I ever sat in that classroom chair. I have been classified, in the medical community, as "neurotic". I've seen my "medical report cards" - words like "worries unnecessarily", "convinced she has..." and the dreaded "reads WebMD" crop up here and there in my introductory referral letters.
So, while I am allowed to be "rated" and passed from one doctor to the other, I'd like to be afforded the same opportunity as these physicians who are demanding their patients NOT rate them. I DON'T want to be rated either - other than my condition, thank you. Keep your opinions of me to yourselves - you are already swaying the opinion of my next doctor before he ever sits down and talks to me himself. I don't need him coming in with some attitude that I'm going to be a neurotic head-case or troublemaker - calling him for everything I have, might have, or have "convinced" myself through WebMD that I must have. Trust me, like little Johnny in Kindergarten who might have pulled Amy's hair - don't label me because someone "tells" on me - give me the benefit of the doubt...perhaps I'm really not that bad.
And to all you doctors out there thinking of subscribing to (or who have) this "service" which really is a disservice...stop pre-judging your patients - you certainly don't like it when it happens to you. Remember, you took an oath to help people...and it wasn't "The Hypocritical Oath".
I had no idea of the new forms you
ReplyDeletespoke about. Hmmmm, makes me wonder now....I have never felt the urge to look in my folder, but then again-you have given me a new idea. LOL
I don't think it's right that they label you with phrases like that. Besides, why do they need "reminders"? They are GOD you know (I'm so subtle w/the sarcasm)
Well the thing that I don't like is that each one has this preconceived notion I am going to be annoying and bothersome and won't listen. That's just not right when they come in and take that stance without finding out how I am FIRST...then make their minds up about what the previous doctor says. Some people just don't "mesh" up - some do.
ReplyDeleteNever knew about those rating sites... have a few ratings I want to give - Mwa ha haaaa.
ReplyDeleteI was passed from one dr to the next, going for the second opinion I fought so hard for the insurance company to pay for. Neurologist #2 turned out to be med school buddies with Neuroquack #1 and had discussed my case with him. #2 spent a total of 7 minutes in the room with me before deciding my problems were not neurological.
I changed my whole schedule, travelled on a plane, got a taxi, waited in the cold little room for 45 minutes after the stated appointment time, for 7 minutes of pre-conceived notion? ARRGH!
Yet when I went to my family dr for help, #1 sent him a threatening fax stating it WAS obviously a neurological disorder and he would bring sanctions upon family dr if he signed papers saying I'm disabled.
So, can't see, can't walk, can't use my left arm... but I'm ok. If #1 can't figure it out, it doesn't exist.
Now where are these rating sites? >:)
Oh there are lots of them out there - some of them better than others. What I find fascinating are the ones that also link up the "published papers" your physician has done in his lifetime. Some of my doctors have done some pretty darned impressive-soundings ones.
ReplyDeleteI also like knowing where my doctor went to Med School. Call me silly - but I feel better if he went to one that was more difficult to pass than, say, UNLV's "Dokter8" program. ;)
I think it's a great idea to able to rate doctors (handymen, auto repair people, people who cut hair, etc) on line. As for asking patients to fill out paperwork saying they will not rate the doctor on line, I would simply say, "If you are a good doctor, you would be glad to have me write ar review. If not, well, either change the way you do things or deal with it..."
ReplyDeleteI would think people would have the right to refuse to sign. It is basically a matter of freedom of speech isn't it? I can say what I think even if the doctor doesn't like it as long as I am not passing along blatant lies and slander?
ReplyDeleteHowever, I was told that a doctor might refuse to treat someone if they don't sign the form: To that, I say this:
I would think that people who are denied treatment based on their refusal to sign a form saying they will not post on line, that such people could get together and bring a suit against the doctor (or doctors), and that something could get done about it on a constitutional basis.
I was recently in Iowa and the Iowa Supreme Court just Friday made a decision on the contitutionality of a ban same-sex marriages. The ... Read Morecase was brought to them as an appeal by 6 people (three pairs of same sex couples who were denied the right to marry on the basis of their same-sex). The court ruled unanimously that it was basically discrimnation to prohibit same sex couples from marriage as long as they met all the other standard criteia. My point is not about marriage. My point is that courts might be able to help in a situation like this one where rights of citizens are being taken away by someone w--espeically in the case of doctor-patient relationships where the patient NEEDS a service that the doctor can provide. That is kind of an unequal relationship from the start... The courts typically try to defend those people in the position of lower power (patient in this case) if their rights are being threatened.
Yes, I believe this will probably be one of the next cases to go up to the Supreme Court as I do find this totally unconstitutional. As you stated, lies and trying to destroy one's opportunity to make a living is one thing - just saying "geez...he spent all of three minutes talking to me and seemed disinterested the whole time" - is something totally different. I've gone to doctors who have done that - it isn't pleasant and they shouldn't do it. We should have the ability to rate them just as they rate US.
ReplyDeleteVery nice. But you're missing an obvious loophole. For a nominal fee, just send me your doctor's name and pertinent info and I'LL write a scathing blog about him. What can he do to me? "And in Alabama, a Dr. Quacky McButcher is performing such procedures as blah blah blah . . . "
ReplyDeleteThis is true - so maybe we can start up a nice little side business. Hey, I inspired you to think of this. ;)
ReplyDelete