Really upset, and don't know what to think

Hi,

I was supposed to have a consultation this morning with a psychiatrist. It was at a low-cost clinic, one that was supposed to accept Medicare, at a city quite a distance from me. I've been searching for months for a psychiatrist who would accept Medicare, since January, and it's been very hard. It was hard to even figure out how to get there, since I don't have a car, but I got there not only on time, but even early, so that I could fill out whatever paperwork they would require. The door was locked.

It turned out they had cancelled the appointment yesterday. The doctor was not in the office today. They had tried to call me (apparently once) but the line was busy. It sounds like they did not try to call again. I made the trip for nothing.

It is really hard to try to do these things, and go to these appointments at all, and to try to trust people another time. And to go all that way for nothing....and the receptionist was exceptionally rude when she did finally arrive.

It is upset here, and I don't know what to think any longer.

Thank you for listening.

Take care,
ErinBear

Ugh. I am so so sorry. You deserve so much better

These people are freakin incompetent!!

(((((((((((((( ErinBear, soothing hugs, wish it was more ))))))))))))

That is extremely unprofessional and rude. I think that someone should have tried to continue to call you...even from home...particularly with the distance you had to travel. I am sorry that this happened to you.

Did they reschedule you? I would call to confirm the day ahead...though that should be unnecessary.

Goodness.

I agree with SG, not very professional!!

Hi Fuzzybear,







(((((Fuzzybear)))))) thank you Fuzzybear

Yeah, so far, they do seem "freakin' incompetent." Makes me wonder if I want to go back at all.

Hugs if okay,
ErinBear

Hi SecretGarden,

Thanks - I think it was unprofessional also. It also says to me that they didn't try very hard. I only had one call in the early afternoon yesterday. The rest of the day, my phone was free. So....Grrrrr! at them!

Yes, they rescheduled for the same day next week, but I'm not even sure I want to return after all of this. I'll have to ponder that.

Thanks for listening.

Take care,
ErinBear

Hi Mouse,

Thank you, and thanks for listening. It is helping to be able to talk about it here. Upsetting day.

Take care,
ErinBear

((((((( Hugs )))))))

I'd give it one more try..... maybe all concerned were having an off day although such behaviour from professionals would hurt anyone imo

Hi Fuzzybear,

I don't think it was just an off day...they were rude over the phone when I set up the initial appointment as well.

I'm beginning to think it's just not worth it to keep trying to get medical care. Or to trust people, for what that's worth. Even trusting something like people to be there for appointments when they say they will be. This is the second one in a week's time, two different offices. And the psychologist is doing strange things and it is just starting to seem like it is not a good idea to trust anyone, anywhere, and it is just better to stop trying. Do other folks ever get to that point? I think as of today, I have gotten to that point. Maybe just crawl into my little hole and be silent.

Take care,
ErinBear

ErinBear,
I would weigh abandoning hope at this clinic/pdoc with your need. How badly do you need to see a pdoc? It sounded like you had a strong need since you were willing to travel so far to find one that took Medicare. They are few and far between. Would it be possible for you to see another type of provider who could fill the same function as the pdoc? For example, a psychiatric nurse or a general practitioner with a specialty in mental health? Maybe there would be more of these that accepted Medicare and closer to your home. (And who weren't so rude and undependable!)

Good luck. I hope you won't be silent.

Wow, what incredible rudeness! I would definitely search for other options, because I don't think people who are so uncaring about your basic need to know if the office will be closed or your appt. cancelled are going to be giving you very supportive & compassionate care. Take care.--Suzy

(((((((((( Erin Bear ))))))))))

I am so very sorry that happened to you. What a horrible thing to have happened!

Hugs,

Jan

Sometimes things just happen and this happening with your first appointment and with the distance you have to travel makes it really hard on you. They disappointed you. They let you down. You're angry and frustrated, and I can understand why. You're just beginning with them. It's an anxious time without a last-minute cancellation happening too.

You could decide to be angry but still go and see how it goes. You could ask them to note your file that you have to travel quite a ways to get there so you need them to be sure to get notice to you if a cancellation is necessary. Possibly you could give them a 2nd number (a trusted friend?) to have in case they have to reach you.

Instead of thinking of not going, and 'punishing' them, why not go to your rescheduled appointment, think about giving them another chance and see what you can do so that if a cancellation is necessary again, you'll get the advance notice you need.

If it happens again then you could think about finding another psychiatrist. In the meantime, you can even continue to search for psychiatrists who take Medicare so you'll have a back-up pdoc if you ever need one or if you decide to make a change.

I think that both Sunrise and Echoes have good advice for you. Have a back up number available to them... including someone who has voice mail or a message system. Or have them send you an email.

Also, you have had a need to see someone so I would not give it all up. Just because the staff is not stellar does not mean the psychiatrist will not meet you needs. You have found some that will take your insurance. Give it a whirl. If you do not like this pdoc..then find someone else.

Take care of yourself... and this is part of what you need to do to do that... OK?

Thanks everyone....thanks Sunrise...Suzy...January....Echoes....and Secret Garden. I appreciate your replies.

Yes, I do have an answering machine here for them to use if they'd called when I was out.

I'll wait a couple of days to make a decision, when I might be less upset than I am now. I'll see how I think about it later.

Thanks again for listening.

Take care,
ErinBear

hey. i'm sorry that that happened. it really sucks. i'd go in for an appointment with a p-doc only to find that he had cancelled or moved the time and they hadn't let me know. it can be really hard.

how about going...

and seeing what the p-doc is like? if he is an *** / if there is no connection there then i guess you could keep hunting for another one but it does sound like part of the problem is in the scarcity of p-docs.

if you seem to get on alright you could tell him what happened and request that either he or the receptionist make sure that they leave a message on your answerphone or speak with you in person in future. another option might be to contact you by email.

i guess i'd go... and meet with him and see what it is like. i guess that at the end of the day i'll deal with annoying administrators if i get on alright with the p-doc.

Thanks Alexandra - I appreciate your input and your support. I'm going to give it a few days before I make up my mind, and when I'm less upset, hopefully it will be easier to think about it.

Yes, if I do go there and the doctors at the clinic are nicer than the office staff, yes, that would be a plus.

It sure is unfortunate that there aren't better choices in our area for people who are on Medicare. It's ridiculous! :-( sigh

Thanks again to everyone here for listening.

Take care,
ErinBear