[-jimi-]

Where I live, writing a complaint does not lead to any actions. Our doctors can do anything and they will not get punished. In some very, very rare occasions they have lost their licenses over extremely severe things, just mistreating people to the point of death has never got anyone in trouble.

My psych clinic has done some quite severe mistakes (and in some cases, deliberate actions to harm me) the past few years. The errors have been on multiple levels, from failing to take any notes and record visits to sabotaging my treatment and put my life in danger. They also mess everything up, and that is no exaggeration. In every contact I have had with them, they have made some kind of mistake.

It has gotten to a point to where I have complained to their boss. That complaint was dealt with, I thought, promises were made to me, but at the end, all documentation of that is "lost".

But of course the doctor who was part of the problem did not forget. She punished me by cold turkeying me on benzo meds (for no reason and then forbade anyone to speak to me) and I nearly had a stroke. I cannot prove intent, and I will not mention it in my complaint, yet it is very obvious she was mad at me and wanted to get back at me by causing me suffering and possible death.

So I will spend a while trying to get the details in order. How things went down, dates, in what order and so on (which is really hard for me since a weakness is I don't have a great sense of time). Also it will be terrible reliving this all while writing the complaint.

Why I do it when it will have no effect? I don't know. Because it is right?

After I file this, I will probably be cut of treatment altogether, so I'm looking for a new doctor, yet unlucky. I don't really have the money for traveling but I have to look way away from home because near here there is just one place and that is "that" clinic...

Most doctors take no new patients, so I might find this being the end of the road for me.

Any wise words?

Originally Posted by -jimi-

Where I live, writing a complaint does not lead to any actions. Our doctors can do anything and they will not get punished. In some very, very rare occasions they have lost their licenses over extremely severe things, just mistreating people to the point of death has never got anyone in trouble.

My psych clinic has done some quite severe mistakes (and in some cases, deliberate actions to harm me) the past few years. The errors have been on multiple levels, from failing to take any notes and record visits to sabotaging my treatment and put my life in danger. They also mess everything up, and that is no exaggeration. In every contact I have had with them, they have made some kind of mistake.

It has gotten to a point to where I have complained to their boss. That complaint was dealt with, I thought, promises were made to me, but at the end, all documentation of that is "lost".

But of course the doctor who was part of the problem did not forget. She punished me by cold turkeying me on benzo meds (for no reason and then forbade anyone to speak to me) and I nearly had a stroke. I cannot prove intent, and I will not mention it in my complaint, yet it is very obvious she was mad at me and wanted to get back at me by causing me suffering and possible death.

So I will spend a while trying to get the details in order. How things went down, dates, in what order and so on (which is really hard for me since a weakness is I don't have a great sense of time). Also it will be terrible reliving this all while writing the complaint.

Why I do it when it will have no effect? I don't know. Because it is right?

After I file this, I will probably be cut of treatment altogether, so I'm looking for a new doctor, yet unlucky. I don't really have the money for traveling but I have to look way away from home because near here there is just one place and that is "that" clinic...

Most doctors take no new patients, so I might find this being the end of the road for me.

Any wise words?

I'm sorry hon that this is happening to you, but here in the US they have a medical licensing board that you can report all questionable and unethical behavior too. Is there anything like that where you live?

[-jimi-]

Yes, I am reporting to there if I can. But they never do anything. Before we had a system where docs could receive warnings, but that is abolished. Also, even if a doctor gets reported for serious things, they will never be fired because of the very intense doctor shortage we have. All doctors, no matter what they have done, get hired. So when you are treated here, it can be by doctors who even spent time in prison for crimes against patients.

It might be, that I have to report this to the board that takes complaints but cannot by law do anything at all. Because the "real" board only takes cases where treatment caused injury and death. It does not bother with the plain behavior of a doctor. And it does not accept files for damage that could have happened. You must have some physical injury, which I do not have.

I know it sounds like a story, but this is very real.

Still, I want this on paper. When I die, I want them to be able to go back and see that something actually happened.

Be proactive! Start a blog or website wth the doctors name and report only what happened that's verifiable with dates and times.

Everytime someone searches them your site will pop up. Give it a catchy title like "Dr. Xxxx almost killed me!"

Give them a crappy rating on search engines.

At last you'll feel better and she'll/he'll have a black mark on them!

It's amazing how influential the web is.

[-jimi-]

I doubt that would change anything, since they cannot be fired. There is a site where I can rate doctors and I will use that. I think I'd better not do something that can be seen as slander.

Originally Posted by -jimi-

I doubt that would change anything, since they cannot be fired. There is a site where I can rate doctors and I will use that. I think I'd better not do something that can be seen as slander.

You are entitled to your opinion. Saying something untrue and unfounded is slander, that's why verifiable proof is needed, like all your records.

I'd just state the facts and let the reader decide for themselves.

[-jimi-]

I could as well publish the formal complaint that I send to the authorities, online as well. Too bad the main offender (the whole clinic is actually really bad but I guess I have to draw a line somewhere) has a quite common name. I actually tried to google her name and all kinds of unrelated stuff came up.

[BlueEyedMama]

I'm sorry that you are going through all this and hope that you can find a new doctor. I think if I were you I would still write a complaint even if nothing will be done about it just so I knew I did what was right. If I could prove it I would add that I almost had a stroke because that is very serious. I wish you luck with this and am glad that you are advocating for yourself.

*hugs*

I'm sorry that your health care provider has not met your needs, so I believe writing a complaint is an exercise in futility.

I recommend using your time and efforts to find a health care provider who can better meet your needs.

I wish you the best.

[-jimi-]

I will try to find someone else anyway, but the way it looks now, it might be impossible. If I write a complaint, at least I tried to make a mark instead of just do what they like me to, disappear silently.

[-jimi-]

That psych clinic was in the local newspaper today. They had made some crap thing to a group of people. I emailed that reporter and asked her to dig a little deeper into it. I hope she does and can. It is really hard to get info on, because the whole thing sort of works in secrecy.

[nicoleflynn]

Why not tell the reporter YOUR story?!

[coyotee]

I had a problem with my primary doctor's office. I didn't have a problem with my doctor though, I had a real big issue with with the other office staff - scheduling, not faxing over referrals to specialists, medications. It really was a conflict, I wasn't getting the care I needed - delayed specialist visits, no meds, etc These people did not care that I was having trouble, they just wanted to protect their jobs and cover their mistakes.

Anyway, this particular doctor's office was affiliated with an insurance company that insured nearly 80 percent of their patients. That company wasn't even my insurer, but I contacted them via email and detailed every problem I had and within a few hours, I had emails from 3 different individuals saying how they were going to look into it. That same day, I got a call from someone at that company who was at the doctor's office. They put the whole office under watch. I go there now and I see some of the worst individuals who blatantly disregarded their jobs are not working there anymore. Also, I see that my needs are being met now.

If you need help, I suggest you contact either their primary insurer, or even your own insurance company. Find a contact for patient relations, grievances. Someone from the outside affiliated who pays them. Hit them in the wallet. Maybe also a larger medical group they are affiliated with. The office will have no choice but to investigate, they will very quickly stop covering for that doctor once their pay source is put on the line.

[cakeladie]

Try and keep your own records like a note book write down each time you went into to the clinic what happened who you talked to what meds were give. Write it down the day it happens that way you won't forget

And no matter what YOU matter. We care care do please be careful

[-jimi-]

I've kept good notes so far. The last thing was too much for me so I don't have dates for that but I will ask my careworker if she remembers.

I don't know how I can be careful. This is going to end up in disaster any way I play it. If I do it the way they want, it will still go really bad.

Coyotee, we don't have private insurance or private care, we have a very enclosed system that sort of feeds into itself and keeps anyone from peeking in. I live in Europe.

If the reporter wants my story I will give it, but usually they want you to use your real name and crap. And no way I'm doing that. If she wants it anonymously, that would be fine.

[-jimi-]

Reporter got back to me and just said shortly they might have reason to write more in the matter later.

Whatever that means.

I saw a new GP clinic has opened in town. I know they might not be able to take me but at least I will give it a try, explain my needs and see what they can do. I really belong in psychiatry but that clinic is a joke and they have once again refused taking new patients so those people have to see a GP anyway.

[-jimi-]

I could not find the new clinic but I saw one private GP clinic I have not heard only bad about. I wrote to them and explained what kind of patient I am and what meds I am on, and asked if they can take me on.

FINGERS CROSSED!!!!!!!!!

On another note... while searching, I came across a news article about another GP clinic I was at years ago for physical stuff. It was pretty insane but few believed me when I told them. Now that clinic got 12 reports on it on several cases of dangerous handling and malpractice, and guess what, it was a doctor who worked there for a while who reported! Now they can seriously stop telling me that was all in my head!

[Nammu]

Do you have medicare? the have their own complaint boards and changes were made after I wrote to them.

[-jimi-]

Once again, I am not in USA, I am in Europe.

[Creamsickle]

Don't go silently.....stand up for yourself....others are likely being damaged too.

[-jimi-]

I know for a fact others are being hurt. I'm not sure how this will help them though. I'm toying with the idea of trying to collect other patients who have complaints as well against them, haven't figured out how to find them yet.