Yesterday, I had my appointment with a government appointed doctor in regard to my disability application. My daughter was with me so right off the bat when the doctor came to get me in the waiting room my daughter was going to come with me...he instructed my daughter to go back to the waiting room in a very rude way. My daughter then said can I not go with my mom and he replied look if you don't like this we can end this now! I told him we were not arguing with him...just ask a question. So it started off very badly...I followed him to his office and he proceeded to ask me questions which turned out to be 9 hand written pages as he took notes. He had my file which was about 2 inches thick which I do not think he read. After questioning me he told me to get up on the table as he was going to physically examine me. I thought it a little odd, but allowed him to test my reflexes, heart, eyes etc. When he got to the part and asked me to unbutton my pants and pull them down that is when I was extremely taken aback and asked how this related to Fibromyalgia...at that point he said if I didn't want to do this that it was fine but it would go in my report. I reluctantly allowed the examination and to also mention there was no nurse present. He kept telling me he was a doctor and not just any doctor, but a Specialist in all areas and that is why the government doesn't accept our own doctor's report as he was specialized in many areas and apparently much better than all my doctors, surgeon, oncologist, psychologist, radio oncologist. He also pointed out that I was now an addict from taking Hydromorphone...when examining my eyes he mumbled something in regard to saying oh yeah its the hydromorphone. In my view he was a total jack ass and takes advantage of his power. There is so much more that he said and did that was not professional and I am going to mention this to my doctor next week. I would like his opinion as after I get my response back from the government, I would like to make a report on him! I would like to ask what you all think and has anyone gone for this type of appointment and what was their experience? I was so upset when I left as he also pointed out it looked like I had another growth next to the incision to the removal of a cancerous tumor I had last year. I was aware of this as does my surgeon which is a result of the incision and a skin tag. How to make someone feel good! Well he made me cry! Thank you for listening.
I was wondering about you. Do not wait to file a report do it now or they will think it is in retalation if you are denied. Demand to see another doctor this was very unprofessional and should not be allowed to go on. I have worked with many good doctors and they will tell you they dont no every thing about everything.
hello dreamcatcher. i am sorry that you went through all this. i may be able to understand that your daughter was not allowed to go with you in the room but to not have a nurse present when he told you to take your pants down i dont think so! The only thing that did not sound unusual was for the exam of the reflexes and checking the heart and stuff like that. I wonder why he did not touch the 18 tender points for FM.. This govt appointed exam is usually rather stupid if you ask me becuase this doctor does not know you nor will they really read much on your chart.. If this were me i would really report this doc to the forces that be. I dont event think he has the right to call you an addict as , again he does not know you nor the doctors who know and treat you..If you do not want to make a report about him and give your name I would really make int annonymous and say that i was very scared about giving my name as i am very ill and have my case going on but you did not want your experience to go un noticed as you dont want any one else to go through such an experience..i dont know if you went through your govt appointed psyche appoint yet but please dont worry too much about this . we all have to go through it. they ask you a few questions like if you know the date, the current president, ask you to count backwards skipping a few numbers and some word stuff.they will be checking your cognition and probably try to see if you suffer with depression as well. i send you all the best and HUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGS
Thank you so much Purplebutterfly for your validation and support. I am seeing my own doctor early next week and am going to ask him how I should proceed and who I report this to. I have typed and documented my experience so as to not forget anything.
I do agree with you that he was very degrading. He was continuously baiting me to be on the defensive...the appointment was close to 2 hours and very draining. He even questioned why my shoulders moved when testing my reflexes in my foot...how the hell do I know? I didn't even recognize I had...questioning the fact I had cancer treatments last year was the last straw! Thanks for your opinion and rest assured I am not going to let this go! Hugs and blessings to you!
Firstly you need to make a complaint immediately. Detail everything and send it in registered mail to both his regulator, the government department you are dealing with and a copy of it to your MP/congressperson/representative. Remember to keep a copy yourself. In the letter demand (do not ask for but actually demand) an assessment by a doctor with your daughter and another medial professional present.
When you have done all of that you need to take a step back, a deep breath and do something fun for a couple of hours or it will end up crowding you and causing depression. Finally, if you feel that the examination was so invasive as to be criminal make a report to police.
I hope that those you complain to will listen and act. Keep me updated and if they do not get back to you follow it up until they do. Let me know if you want some help writing any of these letters. Mikexx
Thank you for reading what had happened as well as giving me very good information!! I have documented everything and I found online where I am to address my complaint. I am going to call them tomorrow. I see my own doctor next Wednesday and without a doubt be telling him as well. You are right about getting this done as soon as possible as that is all I can think about...I can't explain exactly how this has made me feel...I do feel violated and abused that is for sure. Thank you as well for your kind offer to help me with writing these letters...I will do so if needed. I definitely will keep you up to date with this. Sue x
Is he the head doctor in the office? If not go to his supervisor. Then file a report with the board of medicine in your state. Also if they don’t give you resolution you can call the Joint Commission.
Thank you so much for all your advice and support it is sincerely appreciated! So far I have contacted the College of Doctors which is where to file a complaint about a doctor and is done anonymously as they conduct an investigation into the history of this doctor and if he has prior things of this nature already in his file. This part really is to prevent this from happening to anyone else. I also looked up online, by chance, to type his name in a google search called Rate My Doctor and the reviews were mixed, but what was interesting, it started off with "this doctor is a monster". The comments that were in his favor were from patients he has had over many years...probably as old as he is! The other comments were bad and almost mirrored some of my observations in his character as being arrogant, demeaning, know it all, provoker etc. it goes on! I have an appointment early next week with my doctor and I will find out exactly how I should proceed because I want his backing. I know some of you have said that I should request another doctor, but honestly I know it would probably be best and they will never allow my doctor to be present during the exam...that is just the way it is here in Quebec. I would like my doctor's input prior to taking this up with whoever oversees this government agency. I can't find anything online so this is it for now. I have typed up everything I can remember and now I need to put this in letter form. I will send this by registered mail as Mike said...thanks for pointing that out because my mind just isn't there...I'm making all kinds of stupid errors like taking a wrong turn when going somewhere I know well...forgetting what I was talking about in the middle of a sentence! I had already been doing this before, but it is worse now. I'll be much better when this is taken care of! This is it for now...have a great weekend everyone!