May 18th, 2008 by Trisha Torrey
I’ve been reminded twice in the last two days about the oncologist who was a part of my misdiagnosis story. He’s a big part of it; if he hadn’t been such an arrogant SOB, then I probably would not have changed careers to help other patients help themselves.
But most days I don’t even think about him. So two reminders in two days? That’s a double whammy.
The first came yesterday as I participated in the Susan G. Komen breast cancer Race for the Cure. There were almost 8,000 participants, among them several hundred breast cancer survivors. I had the opportunity to speak to a handful of them, and when they were particularly happy about how successful their treatment was, i would ask them who their doctors were.
One woman shared a litany of doctor’s names, among them was the same oncologist I had dealt with. She spoke in glowing terms about all the other doctors, but his name was just a part of the list. Nothing good to say — he was just a participant.
I didn’t comment. I didn’t ask her about her experience with him. I have never shared his name publicly because my goal has never to cast dispersions on him personally. I will confess, however, that if someone is seeking a new oncologist for a second opinion, or for referral purposes, and they have told me he is under consideration, then yes — I have shared my experience. Have I had an influence on which patients have chosen to see him? Yes, I’m sure I have — but not much of one.
Then this morning, I found this article from the New York Times, entitled, “Doctor’s Start to Say ‘I’m Sorry’ Long Before ‘See You in Court.’ And there it is again — that feeling…. argh. He held my life in his hands, and he was so ready to treat me with deadly chemicals for no reason….
One aspect of my dealings with him continues to confound me. He never apologized.
Once my misdiagnosis was proven by the National Institutes of Health, I contacted all the doctors who had participated in the odyssey. Of those who had made mistakes and contributed to the errors, I asked for apologies. I made it clear I was not interested in lawsuits.
All the doctors who had contributed to the mistakes apologized — except the oncologist. In fact, he sent me a long letter outlining why he had done the right things. Never mind the fact that he had never read the results of lab tests indicating one more test was being run — yet he had never looked at the results. Never mind the fact that when I told him I wanted another opinion, his answer to me was “what you have is so rare, no one will know anymore about it than I do!”
There is much in the medical literature these days about the positive outcomes when doctors own up to the mistakes they’ve made. This article from the NY Times is one example. Patients heal better, fewer lawsuits are filed, there are so very many aspects of improved health and service that come as a result of professionals taking responsibility.
It’s too bad for this particular doctor that his ego won’t allow him to do the right thing. On the other hand — had he been more forthcoming, perhaps I would not have been angry enough to make sure these kinds of problems wouldn’t happen to other patients?
We’ll never know. But I sure as heck hope that, as time goes on, he’ll realize his ego is getting in the way of his competency. A good doctor is a decent human being, too. In my opinion? Until he learns to own up to mistakes, he’s not much of doctor.
March 13th, 2008 by Trisha Torrey
What do you think of those prescription ads you see on TV, in magazines, newspapers and other places? Do you think they are helpful? Do you get frustrated because you know you can’t purchase those drugs directly anyway? Did you go to your doctor to ask about one of them? Do you think they are dangerous?
Prescription drug ads will be on TV for a long time. People may be objecting, but pharma is making a lot of money from them. I expect we’ll see many more of them, not fewer.
Truth is — if viewed in the right way, they can be useful. Unlike the dozens of anti-pharma folks who call for the demise of those ads, I say — if you can’t beat ‘em, then learn about ‘em.
And now, my friend Kim Witczak, founder of Woody Matters, has teamed with Consumer’s Union (non-profit publishers of Consumers Report) to petition the FDA to make these ads more helpful to consumers. It’s an idea borne of Kim’s wish to make drugs safer for Americans, based on the death of her husband, Woody, whose side effects from Zoloft caused him to take his own life.
The idea is that many side effects are unreported by drug companies, and the FDA can’t know about them unless those who take the drugs report them. (Don’t EVEN get me started on how that happens!) The proposal / petition asks for all pharma drug ads to include an 800 number and web address to report these problems as a part of the ad or commercial. Kinda like the warning on cigarette packaging — but even more useful because it’s a way we patients can really take action.
MedWatch is the FDA’s process for consumers to use to report their negative side effects and outcomes, but most consumers don’t know about it. The toll free number and web addresses already exist for reporting. (See below for that info.)
Consumer’s Union is hoping to garner 50,000 signatures — and you can easily sign right here online. You can take 30 seconds to say YES! to the idea of adding these two ways to report problems with drugs. Just follow this link to have your say.
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Do you want to report side effects, problems or adverse events for a drug you take to the FDA?
Link here to MedWatch.
December 26th, 2007 by Trisha Torrey
It’s been a busy several days — as the holiday season always is. Haven’t written anything new on this blog for your consideration, but I have been busy!
Here are the topics I’ve covered, and links so you can find them:
What about Nataline?
The 17-year-old who got caught in the crossfire over insurance coverage, then died from liver failure… Would universal insurance have saved her?
Is Your Family Together for the Holidays?
Why not talk about healthcare issues? Recording a family history can be helpful to all blood relatives.
Do You Have a Flexible Medical Spending Account?
You may have to use it up before December 31 — or you may have until March 15. Here are some ways you can — or can’t – use that money.
An Ounce of Prevention…
Costs much less than that pound of cure. Why not stay healthy and save money, too?
Sure enough… plenty of empowered patient reading for these quieter times between the holidays. If you think of a topic you’d like me to cover, then contact me!
November 20th, 2007 by Trisha Torrey
Not only was I privileged to contribute to an article in today’s Wall Street Journal (You Doctor’s Business Ties are Your Business, Too ) — but I actually learned even more than I knew before from the article!
The question asked by the author, David Armstrong, was whether patients have a right to know about any financial ties doctors have to the treatments they recommend. We discussed that topic last week while he was researching for his story. I told him absolutely I believe patients have a right to know, but it’s not so easy as just asking the question.
What I learned from his column is that there is a proposal in Congress called the Physician Payments Sunshine Act of 2007 that will require companies to publicly disclose any payments of $25 or more to doctors. I also didn’t know that the American Academy of Orthopaedic surgeons has mandated, beginning in January, disclosure of any arrangements made between a surgeon and a company which will relate to treatment. So, for example, if you need your knee replaced, and the surgeon stands to profit from the new knee parts — s/he will need to disclose that to you.
Love it! Both are grand steps forward toward transparency and disclosure…
My contribution to the article was a response to the question whether patients should ask their doctors about financial relationships that might affect their treatment …. my answer might surprise you…. (and you’ll have to read the article to find out why!)
Then, when you’re finished, you’ll be interested in this post, too.
