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I use to work in the medical field. I can sit here and write paragraph after paragraph about the treatment of hiv/aids patients that I saw and heard in this particular hospital. For instance, staff loves to alarm the whole entire hospital staff that they have an hiv/aids patient admitted to the hospital. One doctor said that people did not want to go into the medical field any more because of aids. I listened to therapist talk about how they withheld treatments from patients with hiv/aids. I listened to them talk about how they did not want to touch people with aids. These patients were often neglected and treated very badly. I have experienced some pretty bad treatment myself. I was pregnant when I got my diagnose. The treatment I received is a whole different story. Nevertheless, I have been positive 20 years with no meds or illnessess. I consider myself very blessed.
I have been receiving care for HIV/AIDS from the same HIV specialist since 1995. He is an amazing doctor. When needed, he has referred me to another doctor for other needs than HIV. I was speaking on the phone with the referred physician's nurse. She got all my information such as name, address, insurance, etc. Lastly, she asked for my PCP doctor's name. She paused a moment, then announced that their office does not accept patients from my PCP. He is well known and highly regarded in our community as an HIV specialist. So, I was rejected for medical care by the referred doctor because I was a patient of a community-wide known HIV specialist. Even the medical community discriminates against us. Be aware too of what hospital you go to. Some hospitals are HIV friendly and others are NOT. I went through hell in one 2 week hospital stay. I actually heard the nurses fighting in the hall over which one would treat me. One nurse even shouted I have children! What I went through in that hospital was shocking and unbearable.
I couldn't agree with you more. I am going to play a part in my own treatment, and if a doctor doesn't want to include me...well, then, off to find another doctor. I deserve to be treated with dignity and respect and to be given the information necessary to make sound decisions regarding my health. And I'm not going to have it any other way.
I have fired more than one Dr. This was an awesome post/blog on this topic. No matter what your seeing a Dr. or any professional for always remember YOU are their CUSTOMER; NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND, you or a representative of yours pays them! My Primary is a rural Dr. that probably knows more about HIV/Aids than a lot of so called Specialists. He takes the time to listen and answer questions so I can understand them. He and My ID Dr. share my files and lab Work and work together as a team. In this I have been more lucky than many. If you don't feel your getting the care, dignity, and respect you deserve from your Drs. then don't be afraid to get up thank them for the waste of your time and leave!
I love my id doctor she nor I pull any punches when it comes to my medical care and the nurse practitioner does much the same and in fact they actually welcomed the idea of when either of them walks into the exam room and they see my little note pad laying on the table ( I begin making note's nearly as soon as the correct check up is over with so nothing ( pain symptom or other question is forgotten between check ups). They both know from the time I walk in the room after having my lab's done that I like them are there for my health and none of us wants to miss out on the latest and greatest thing coming down the line ( well I did after all wait until my viral load was undetectable over a year before asking about going on the one a day cocktail's ) and they realized I meant business so much so that upon a joint consultation it was mutually decided I I could go on the aforementioned cocktail and I am happy to say thus far the lab's have come showing even stronger result's therefore taking thing's into my own hand's turned out for the best overall . Now whereas we didn't begin having such a rapport at first unless you voice your opinion nothing will change so speak up to the person telling you that you can''t or should not do something and then when they say it simply make the query of why not . ( and too think the nurse practitioner actually had a heart to heart on my last check up about her taking her early retirement at age 62 or if she shooed wait until age 65 which I was an advocate of her doing since I don't want to have to break in a new nurse practitioner just yet :) )
You are the man!!!! I just needed keep your head up sort of advice and it works .Thank you. Please keep writting.
Nice going! Very empowering. I know more about my health than my physicians.
Steven
Kudos to you Aundaray. I had a similar experience and it was horrific and appalling. The first visit, I thought perhaps maybe it was me viewing the Dr's. comments in a negative light but by the third session, I threw the towel in. I went as far as going to the director and following up with a four page letter berating the Dr. It is very sad that a professional would act that way. I cut it short and demanded a change. To those that have had or are experiencing the same set of circumstances. Keep one thing in mind, your health is on the line and sometime patients and medical personnel are not always a good match. So dont tolerate the BS and find another provider who will provide the essentials that are need for you to remain in good health. And if the circumstances warrant the need, file complaints with medical ethics committees, etc. Just dont tolerate an unprofessional professional who in the end is only concerned about payment.
March 26, 2012