Am I being silly?

[snapdragen]

After the CT scan, I was sent to a neurologist. I'm not sure I liked this guy; you guys can tell me if I'm being silly. It wasn't one big thing, but a lot of little things that bugged me.

I get to the office, and besides having the usual plethora of medical related pamphlets and posters, it is festooned with a variety of fund raising posters. Along with a few jars for donations to different charities - ASPCA, Children's fund, etc. Never seen something like that in a doctor's office before.

His staff is wearing sweat pants. Baggy assed blue sweats with a tshirt. He is rather rumpled looking, with holes in his shoes.

He takes the CT films and goes to look at them, then comes back, hands them to me and says "I don't know what I'm looking at". Does his exam, then says he wants an MRI. He also says maybe physical therapy would be a good idea, then shrugs his shoulders; "Maybe we should wait until after the MRI. "

Just was not a real confidence inspiring visit.

[KnottedYet]

<shrugs shoulders> maybe you should find a different doctor....

Who knows, he could be brilliant. Or he could be a slob with slobby staff and a slobby office.

(I don't like him already)

[DeniseGoldberg]

Sounds like a pretty unprofessional office to me...

Were you referred to this particular neurologist by another doc? Seems like it might be worth a chat with the person who referred you.

If it were me, I'd probably go elsewhere. I don't like his "I don't know what I'm looking at comment" when looking at the CT films, and I also don't like his comment that PT would be good / maybe we should wait comments. If the initial comment had been "let's get the MRI results, then talk about PT" - well, that would have made more sense to me. And it may not really matter - in fact it probably shouldn't matter - but grubby attire doesn't give me much confidence.

--- Denise

[KnottedYet]

PT wouldn't do any good unless he knew what he was looking at and could direct the therapist (we work off the doctor's prescription and diagnosis). And he'd have to know what he was looking at to decide if it was the sort of mechanical issue PT would help in the first place.

I get steamed up over docs who send patients to PT just to get 'em out of their hair.

There are some things for which PT is inappropriate.

(I had a patient years ago who clearly had a kidney infection, but her doc just kept sending her back to PT for back pain and wouldn't listen to us. And the patient wouldn't stand up for herself. She eventually got so sick she stopped coming to therapy. I often wonder what happened to her.)

[bacarver]

Despite the fact that doctors know they need to shed the "God image", the behavior continues with a significant number of them.
Like many patients, I've been treated rudely, insulted, blown off, disregarded, and criticized.
I had a traumatic bike wreck 2 summers ago when I was attacked by a pit bull. My process of healing was difficult. I went to an orthopedic surgeon who was awful to me. Upon entering the room, he immediately dropped my X-rays all over the floor. He asked me if I got back on my bike immediately after the wreck. (The dog was hovering over me and I was helpless due to my injuries). He did an exam and showed no concern for the pain he was causing me. "Why is your knee so tight?" He told me to return to work that night. (I was on crutches.)
I had to beg him for a work excuse.

Run as fast as you can from this idiot you saw recently. Warning bells went off everywhere in his office practice.

Many doctors "get it" in regard to being professional and kind. This one is clueless.

Respect your feelings and intuition.

Barb

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Our general practitioner MD doctor is a cyclist and he wears sneakers and shorts much of the time. If he wore a suit I would be suspicious. We actually met him while we were cycling one day, and found out his office is a block from our house.

I also think it's nice to allow the staff to wear comfortable clothes, as long as they don't seem dirty.

I think it's refreshing to see charity posters and donation jars in a doctor's office. Usually you see all kinds of drug company toys and drug company promo pamphlets and posters. Yuk.

[roadie gal]

If you feel uncomfortable with the doctor I would talk to the referring doc to see if he knows him personally or if he's just in the referral network for the insurance. IF he knows him and says that he's a good doc, just a little strange, then consider staying with him if you think you'll be able to work with him. If your doc doesn't know him and you're uncomfortable then find a new doc.

I'm an ER doc. I've had to deal with all sorts of personalities, both in my patients and other docs. Sometimes people mesh better than others. The patient and the doctor need to be able to communicate. That is the key to getting better.

[LBTC]

Follow your instinct, Snap. Comfortable clothes are one thing, but his behaviour and communication didn't really give you any clear indications. I like the idea that you chat with whoever refereed you to him and probably find another neurologist, if you can. Sending great neurologist finding butterflies your way....

~T~

[salsabike]

If you feel uncomfortable with the doctor I would talk to the referring doc to see if he knows him personally or if he's just in the referral network for the insurance. IF he knows him and says that he's a good doc, just a little strange, then consider staying with him if you think you'll be able to work with him. If your doc doesn't know him and you're uncomfortable then find a new doc.

I'm an ER doc. I've had to deal with all sorts of personalities, both in my patients and other docs. Sometimes people mesh better than others. The patient and the doctor need to be able to communicate. That is the key to getting better.

This makes good, good sense.

[pll]

I agree, feeling comfortable with the doctor is important. From what you told about the meeting, the comment of not knowing what he was looking at would make me uncomfortable, too, especially in combination with the general vibe you got from his office.

[Wahine]

I agree with the personality "clicking" factor. You need to be able to communicate with your Doc and if you don't feel comfortable, you should maybe get another Doc. This guy could be brilliant, just not the right fit for you.

[Mr. Bloom]

I agree with what Lisa said...these are superficial observations...BUT...what the doc said gives me the heebie jeebies!

If a doc said "I don't know what I'm looking at" to me about a CT scan, I'd be thinking "so you only practice well under the perfect conditions with the most expensive medical tests???" His response could have been considerably more professional. AND his blatant "ambivalent uncertainty" makes me question whether he sees you as a person needing help?????

Silver has considerable experience with a local Ortho practice (where she met bacarver ...Silver decided to drive 200 miles for her surgery rather than do it locally with a physician like the one you describe. Bedside manner is part of competance and indicative of the degree of caring.

I'd find another doc...