I’m trying to understand if this situation is normal, or if I have a shitty doctor. So, I have my annual checkup every year with the same Doctor, and the only healthcare network available in my area. A few years ago, they started wheeling in laptops to type in info. So the nurse asks me questions and types in my responses, on her laptop. What medications I’m on, any abnormal conditions I’ve been experiencing, and general health questions etc. Then the nurse leaves.
A few minutes later the doctor comes in with his laptop and basically asks THE SAME EXACT QUESTIONS! Aren’t these computers linked up somehow? I had a bout of pancreatitis a few years back and some other issues, but whenever the doctor types in his laptop to change medications. I always have to call them up in a few weeks because the changes never get to the pharmacy.
Is this a normal experience?
I’ve found the asking the same questions is hit and miss. My primary is good about it, might probe a bit more but not just repetition. Urgent care, some other doctors I’ve been to it seems like you start over with each staff person.
As for the prescriptions not getting to the pharmacy that is unusual and if you have any other options you should consider them.
Repeated asking of the same questions is often annoying; but I think at least sometimes it may be done deliberately as a double check – are we sure we’ve got this information right? I’ve had people read off parts of my chart to me in that sort of fashion – ‘you’re taking x medication, is that still correct?’ etc.
If changes aren’t getting through to the pharmacy, I agree that’s a different sort of problem. And it might imply that they’re asking you the questions all over again not to make sure they get it right, but because there’s a communications problem within the practice.
Possibly relevant anecdote: I went in to see the doctor one time recently. The nurse asked me some questions about my condition, and I answered them as the nurse typed away. Then the doctor came in and asked me some of the same questions, and I mentioned that the nurse had been typing my responses in as I told her, so the answers should be there. Then the doctor read me what the nurse had written, and it was an abbreviated version of what I had said, with some relevant details missing. Once I heard that, I realized it was smartest to just retell the doctor everything I had told the nurse.
Even in the case of yes or no questions, I think this runs the risk of happening. For example, I think there was one question on the computer asking if I felt nausea, and the nurse had answered yes because I had mentioned vomiting. But I hadn’t actually felt any nausea when I was vomiting, so when the doctor asked “Any nausea?” and I said no, she said “Oh, it says yes here.”
So I think your situation is normal. I think I’ve received better care from my doctor than I would have if she had simply gone by the notes typed up by the nurse.
Thank you everyone for your responses and experience. I feel as though I’m receiving sub par service as much now. The pharmacy issue seems like it’s a mid-communication within the office, though, that I will try to address. Not sure if it will help. I can’t imagine someone trying to navigate their healthcare if they’re critically ill or immobilized in some fashion and at less than full mental capacity, unless they have someone to advocate for them.
Sorry for the confusion what I meant to type was: “I feel as though I’m NOT receiving sub par service as much now.”
I have the feeling, sometimes my Doctor wishes I would just shut-up. It’s a very busy clinic. I just want the details down properly.
But, and up until he actually tells me to shut-up I will advocate for the best health care I can get. If he does tell me to shut-up we’re gonna have an issue. I spend big bucks at that place and the pharmacy. I will be listened to.