Why can doctors never give a REAL answer? (rant)

[skygazer]

Maybe it's me. I have the worst luck with frigging doctors. I'm not difficult and I'm not a hypochondriac. All I require is an honest answer to my questions. But no. I never seem to get one.

I had knee surgery last week. Up to the day of the surgery, I asked my surgeon at least six times when I'd be able to return to work. I told her what I did, what my job involves. Her first answer was that I'd be able to return the monday following surgery. I pressed her because that sounded outrageous. Yes, she kept insisting - if you can avoid lifting too much, you can return to work then.

So I told my boss that. I essentially promised I'd be there, barring any unforeseen circumstances. THE DAY AFTER the surgery, when I went in for my post-op, I asked her again - "So, I can return to work Monday, right?"

"What do you do again?" I tell her. "No," she replies. "I want you out at least a week longer than that."

AGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

So today, I go in for my one week check-up. "Okay," I ask her. "No games. Just tell me honestly, when can I reasonably expect to go back to work? Can I go next week?"

Not for another two and a half weeks.

Why do they do this?! I've had NO complications, nothing has gone awry, she tells me I'm healing fine but I'm not fit for work for at least another 2 1/2 weeks. So why would she tell me initially that I could go back the following Monday? I don't get it.

I had to have the procedure done. But if I'd had an honest estimate of how long I'd be out, I could have planned better and my boss would have been able to prepare better. And now I will look like an idiot and a liar to my boss and for all my surgeon knows, this could jeopardize my job. All I wanted was honesty. What the hell is wrong with these people?! :rant:

[skygazer]

1. Kick

Because I'm really curious if I'm the only one this happens to.

[henslee]

2. Because they are instinctively covering their asses.

[Ravenseye]

3. Some doctors just suck

Like anyone there are good doctors and bad doctors. I've had experiences both ways.

[Sanity Claws]

4. my take on the problem

Before I say anything, I want you to know that I am not in the medical profession. I am an attorney and often represent injured workers who are trying to return to work with a disability/ injury.
First, the doctor usually does not know what is involved in your job. I deal with a lot of different occupations and unless I see a job description, I don't know all the duties that are involved. My guess is that the doctor is the same way. The doctor may not have realized how physically demanding your job is.
As for why he/she said earlier release at first and then changed his/her opinion, he/she may not have realized what is involved in your job the first time around and later learned it.
As for the greater healing time than originally said, even though you have had no complications, I'm sure it's really hard to estimate how fast you will heal, even if there are no complications. People do heal at different rates. Smokers and older people heal more slowly than non-smoking young people.

I'm sure it's frustrating. Even though I can understand why the doctor gave the different opinions, he/she should have been less definite the first time around.

[skygazer]

6. Well, that's the thing

I can understand not wanting to be locked into a time frame - healing does take different amounts of time. That's why I asked at least 6 different times about going back to work the following monday, every single time telling her what my job involved.

I never expected a definite locked in stone response but something I could reasonably tell my employer to expect. And instead of giving me a more reasonable, longer time frame, she gave me a very short one and then lengthened it.

It would seem to me more sensible to be cautious initially and tell the patient that it may be several weeks and then shorten it if possible.

Quite honestly, I think it has a lot more to do with a lack of any kind of respect for the patient and their time. I waited in the exam room for almost an hour before the doc came in today. I don't object to waiting for a doctor, but almost an hour? My time is valuable too.

[Sanity Claws]

7. I've changed doctors because of wait time.

I agree that wait time is an indication of respect. I've actually changed doctors because she kept me waiting.
It sounds like this doc was an orthopedic surgeon. Is that right? Did the physician or the office offer an explanation for the wait? If the doctor had an emergency surgery or surgery lasted longer than expected, than that is inconvenient to you but understandable. However, if no explanation was offered, that means there was no reasonable explanation for the wait. Grrrrr!
As someone else noted, some doctors are better than others.

[skygazer]

8. No explanation

And she only does surgery on certain days - this was not one of them. I heard at least 2 people get spoken to in the next room over before anyone came into my room which makes me think bad management. I was just getting ready to go out in the office area and remind them I was there when she walked in. I said, "Oh, I thought you'd forgotten about me" and she just chuckled.

I've worked in medical offices (veterinary) so I understand that things happen. But staff should offer an explanation or at least pop a head in and say, "she'll be with you soon."

I've always had far better luck with vets than with physicians.

[Sanity Claws]

10. LOL

Perhaps you should your luck with vets in mind in deciding where to go for medical care next time around.
I wish you the best and hope your employer is understanding.

[Jade Fox]

5. Because they don't KNOW....

but Doctors are trained to act as though they always know everything.

[Book Lover]

9. Did you ask the doc why the change? (nm)

[skygazer]

11. Yes, I did

She never answered it directly, went into how I need to do the physical therapy and that I shouldn't be on my feet all day like I am at work. When I asked at that point, why she'd told me originally that I could go back the following monday, she simply repeated that it wasn't a good idea.

I essentially gave up asking.

[Book Lover]

12. Damn!

I surely understand why you gave up on her. Best of luck on the actual procedure!