Multiple docs...well, I know you love your dogs, but could/would you be able to herd them?
I liken doctors to CATS... Neither is easy to herd, let alone get each to talk to each other...they all write things off as 'Not my Problem, nor COG'...DUH? Actually cats are easier to herd, while they may have egos...that 'tin opening' sound always brings them to SHE WHO FEEDS! Docs have this little thing called 'ego' to contend with?
IF it were me? I'd do what I'm trying to do w/my Dental surgery [pending - once all key docs are well 'plugged in'] I'd call my Pred-scribing doc and leave that silly message on: 'I'm sorta concerned about A B & C? This doc doesn't appear to respect my concerns and I'm having s/e's? Could you call him and clue HIM in? and/or Take over the scriptions? Here's his Tel# and ask for Sue his assistant - many thanks?] I DO have my neuro as my key pain/neuro prescribing doc...
I've a dozen other docs I see 'regularly' as in once a year and my Onc who I see four times yearly...This way my Pain med doc is KEY on all my other docs notes as the one to CONTACT to deal with overlapping issues. And, duh? They all seem to overlap in some way or quarter.
I DO know what you mean about docs that you need to see all seem to be ALL over the map? I've one doc who moved [for me], further out from my own comfort circle of driving by myself. DH who recently retired, drove us back..I would've had a hard time or had to change docs [but we've just gotten on track in some quarters sooo...this is hard to admit?]
For me, another issue is the coordinating of blood tests - I'm now going to a lab before I get my IVIG's and get ALL tests done there...I've made it clear to all docs that THAT IS THE ONLY WAY I will play? It's taken about nine months, and by golly they are beginning to PLAY as well...I think they like it!
I hate to say it - but, it is WE who have to perk up the various docs' interests to 'talk' to the other docs. We tired as we are, worn down as we may be HAVE to be the ones to Make It Happen.
Sad that in this age of 'instant communciations' that communication doesn't occur. But YOU are one great fighter! And I can tell that Miss Minnie feels the same too!
Hugs and fast recoveries...
I AM going to have dreams about getting such good food in a hospital,[hopefully, that won't mean a self-fulfilling prophecy?] - j

I ave started e-mailing them when i give them my information,i tell them
they can only contact me by e-mail,they like it,don't ask me. Sue

Hi Cathie, wouldn't your family doctor be the one to contact now that your out of hospital ?, when i was leaving the hospital they told me that if i had any worries at all just to ring the ward i was in, or contact my normal General practitioner, someone should be able to help.
I am glad everything went well for you.
all the best
Brian

Pasta, YUM!!! The only other thing I can think of is chocolate!

I'm so relieved to hear she's doing so well. for everyone!

Barbara

Hi. I can understand this. I was trying to work all under one hospital so that the communication would be better and if something happened it would be all in there computer. Of course that didn't happen so now with docs at all places its frustrating. I do bring all my tests results tot he apt and encourage them to make copies or have them faxed myself. Do you have 1 doc that you feel is most accountable and you can call on? Maybe they can be the head of the team. I don't have this for my pn but in my eating recovery they all comunicated and came up with a plan together so I was not going in a million directions. I hope your feeling better and getting some goodies at home to eat. As a person who has been in many hospital unfortunatley the food varies so much. I can remember at one a parent had luch with us and said if you weren't ed you would turn it after eating there food. Its true 1500 day and you eat grey tuna not even white. I hope you got some snickerdoodles. Hugs always!

I finally just emailed my Rheumatologist, only because I found an email address for her on the Internet. She was most prompt in emailing back and giving me further directions on how to adjust my Prenisone dose. I do think you have something there Sue, on emailing docs. This certainly worked well. Of course, this is NOT the way they want it handled...

Why can't doctors have some kind of arrangement where they see you, refer you on to someone else and then that doc communicates back with Doc 1, etc... A team effort like Danielle describes so to speak???

I do have an Internist, but communication does not seem to be happening... Maybe it is my fault-too many complex problems...

Cathie

HI Cathie! I'm glad you are home and all is well with you! Now you can breath a sigh of relief!!
That's a great story about your doggy making a puddle on your map papers....lol You never know what's going through a dog's mind! lol

It's important to know that if a doctor emails you with medical advice, he is breaking the law and can be seriously punished. The HIPAA laws are very strict about confidentiality, and email is considered non-confidential. On theo ther hand, you can communicate by fax, which is secure.

Some doctors participate in secure email networks that are marketed by internet companies. Medem is one of them. But a doctor using email for anythign besides appointments is putting hismelf or herself in jeopardy.

You all get these HIPAA forms to sign when you go to a new doctor, right?
It's about this stuff.

http://www.google.com/search?q=HIPAA...e7&rlz=1I7GWYA

http://www.medem.com/emaildr/emaildr_entry.cfm

Unless there has been a recent drastic change in HIPAA, it is not a violation of HIPAA to communicate with patients by email. Such communications are covered as PHI, protected health information. HIPAA does not directly make any form of provider-patient communication either acceptable or non-acceptable. All PHI communication must be confidential and private, and any doctor covered by HIPAA must develop a written and specific policy for all PHI communication.

With that said, many providers (and their organizations) have chosen not to communicate by email. The danger for a provider is not that emailing is a violation in and of itself, but that any insecure communication has a greater risk of not staying confidential. If any PHI does violate a patient's privacy, and that patient is harmed, then the provider is at severe risk. Adverse consequences usually depend upon the level of complaint filed by the victimized party or parties. HIPAA does proscribe greater penalties than previously imposed.

HIPAA had come in place during the last few years I was in practice. Our local, state and national associations were running around like crazy trying to get ready and educate providers. It was easier in my field (clinical psych) to be able to opt out of HIPAA . . . if you are a solo practitioner and do not participate in any electronic billing and other services, you are not subject to HIPAA. This is still largely unknown by many.

Personally, I developed a policy that minimized email communication, but I decided that it was too valuable for too many to eliminate. So I used high-level security. I am still at times dumbfounded when I talk to other providers, especially therapists who are covered but don't realize it, and find that they basically pay no attention to HIPAA.

rafi

The way our medical school is "supposed" to communicate is via "My Chart." As a patient, you have an Internet chart listing your various clinics, test results and a message center among other things. It is accessible by signing on with a password and then sending a message to the appropriate clinic. I have used it with some good results in turnaround time, but have had a lot of trouble with it not working since the beginning. Usually, it waits until I have typed my whole message and then it won't let me "send" it...

This results in having to call in to a call center. The only thing good about the call center is that it is NOT in India... I would much rather communicate in writing via email, where I can send a brief and concise message and have it answered in the same manner.

Faxes in some doctors' offices here are a no-no... In others, they are not so strict... I know HIPPA is supposed to be for patient protection, but the insurance companies all have the info already, so what real difference does privacy protection make?

Cathie