Doc told me most people aren't interested in data

[sc0ttt]

My doctor is kinda the same way, he said that 99% of the stuff I read on Internet forums regarding CPAP is probably incorrect.

Tell him that 83% of statistics people site are made up on the spot.

[Susie Kay]

My doctor likes that I use Sleepyhead software and even told me I could get software from their office if I needed it. The assistant is a CPAPer and uses some software.

They do try to rush you through once you are on a routine visit and not having problems. I don't think this is about profit because these people are very nice and unassuming. They just need to get so many people through to pay all their costs. A lot of patients are Medicare and the reimbursement is not so good so they have to see a lot of patients or their income will not cover the salaries, building and sleep lab.

[Noctuary]

I check my data everyday. Then I wonder why the **** I still feel tired.

[Darth Lady]

I check my data everyday. Then I wonder why the **** I still feel tired.

+1

[JohnBFisher]

I'm fortunate. My doctor goes over sample data that I bring. I know I'm doing well. The data shows it. If it didn't, we would both know a follow up sleep study was in order.

[sleepstar]

When I saw my doc (sleep study specialist- neurologist) for my followup he was pleasantly shocked that I brought my card in and that I'd been tracking my data on Sleepyhead. He told me most people don't do this. The way he said it and based on his reaction to my interest made me think I was his only patient who did.

I'm surprised!

Just thought I'd share....

I see hundreds of patients a year and barely any are interested in their data. I'd honestly say less than 5%.

[49er]

When I saw my doc (sleep study specialist- neurologist) for my followup he was pleasantly shocked that I brought my card in and that I'd been tracking my data on Sleepyhead. He told me most people don't do this. The way he said it and based on his reaction to my interest made me think I was his only patient who did.

I'm surprised!

Just thought I'd share....

I see hundreds of patients a year and barely any are interested in their data. I'd honestly say less than 5%.

I recall a poster on this forum mentioning a few years ago that he was the only one of his doctor's patients who asked about the data. So your observation isn't surprising to me. But even if most patients aren't interested, patients who are shouldn't be blown off which sadly seems to happen with alot of sleep doctors.

[Sheriff Buford]

My doctor doesn't even ask! Me and you are responsible for me!

Sheriff

[sleepstar]

When I saw my doc (sleep study specialist- neurologist) for my followup he was pleasantly shocked that I brought my card in and that I'd been tracking my data on Sleepyhead. He told me most people don't do this. The way he said it and based on his reaction to my interest made me think I was his only patient who did.

I'm surprised!

Just thought I'd share....

I see hundreds of patients a year and barely any are interested in their data. I'd honestly say less than 5%.

I recall a poster on this forum mentioning a few years ago that he was the only one of his doctor's patients who asked about the data. So your observation isn't surprising to me. But even if most patients aren't interested, patients who are shouldn't be blown off which sadly seems to happen with alot of sleep doctors.

I think it's great that everyone here is so involved in their treatment. I encourage that.

I have seen the other side, though, where people obsess and sometimes misinterpret the data. I had a patient who was doing amazing on CPAP (both download and symptom wise) who spent a week before her appointment with us distressed over 4 central apneas on she found on her download.

[49er]

When I saw my doc (sleep study specialist- neurologist) for my followup he was pleasantly shocked that I brought my card in and that I'd been tracking my data on Sleepyhead. He told me most people don't do this. The way he said it and based on his reaction to my interest made me think I was his only patient who did.

I'm surprised!

Just thought I'd share....

I see hundreds of patients a year and barely any are interested in their data. I'd honestly say less than 5%.

I recall a poster on this forum mentioning a few years ago that he was the only one of his doctor's patients who asked about the data. So your observation isn't surprising to me. But even if most patients aren't interested, patients who are shouldn't be blown off which sadly seems to happen with alot of sleep doctors.

I think it's great that everyone here is so involved in their treatment. I encourage that.

I have seen the other side, though, where people obsess and sometimes misinterpret the data. I had a patient who was doing amazing on CPAP (both download and symptom wise) who spent a week before her appointment with us distressed over 4 central apneas on she found on her download.

I understand but in my opinion, a good sleep professional should be teaching the patient how to correctly look at their data or have an assistant do it. Yeah, I know, I am living in fantasyland but in reality, that is what should take place.

[jnk]

Five percent?

Sounds about right.

Some might say that only around 5% of all patients are actually interested in their personal long-term health at all, for that matter, as far as that goes. But the thing is, that doesn't excuse the docs or mean docs should simply give up and then tacitly encourage patients not to be interested in their own health. In fact, good health professionals, in my opinion, consider it their job to inform and to educate others in order to foster interest in that which others may be ignorantly uninterested. Many patients who were once suffering and didn't even know what sleep apnea was are glad their docs didn't use that as an excuse not to test for it or treat it. Same with data for those under treatment.

I mean, if a doc reasons, 'well, yeah, she probably has high blood pressure, but she doesn't really seem interested in or concerned with that, so I'll just stop having her blood pressure taken from now on,' that doc has a screw loose and is in the wrong business. Well, in my opinion, home-machine data showing high leak and continuing events in clusters can be more indicative of immediate threat to life than sustained high blood pressures. Good docs should care about both blood-pressure data and sleep data when history indicates that to be prudent, whether the patient understands all the reasons for that or not. And attempts should be made to educate the patient on the significance of both. That is in harmony with the value of human life. Heck, even if a patient smokes, sits on his butt all day, and drinks like a fish, a good doc will still remind the patient of what science says about all that and will encourage the patient to get involved in monitoring and improving that which can be monitored and improved. Five percent or not. And no sane doc says about any sane patient, 'I don't want to get the patient obsessed with her blood pressure, so I think it best that I ban that patient from ever owning a blood-pressure monitor on any sort.' If a patient worries too much about the BP numbers she gets at home, educate the patient. Don't deny the patient data.

In my opinion.

And I have many of them.

Several a bit, uh, nonstandard, I know.

-jeff

[49er]

jnk,

As one who admittedly got obsessed with my BP data when HBP was an issue, your point is right on target. And even though I was obsessed, that turned out to be a positive thing because it made me realize after my septoplasty that this was no longer an issue and that my readings are now as low as they have been in months. Now, I am quite happy to take it once a month to make sure nothing has changed.

49er

Five percent?

Sounds about right.

Some might say that only around 5% of all patients are actually interested in their personal long-term health at all, for that matter, as far as that goes. But the thing is, that doesn't excuse the docs or mean docs should simply give up and then tacitly encourage patients not to be interested in their own health. In fact, good health professionals, in my opinion, consider it their job to inform and to educate others in order to foster interest in that which others may be ignorantly uninterested. Many patients who were once suffering and didn't even know what sleep apnea was are glad their docs didn't use that as an excuse not to test for it or treat it. Same with data for those under treatment.

I mean, if a doc reasons, 'well, yeah, she probably has high blood pressure, but she doesn't really seem interested in or concerned with that, so I'll just stop having her blood pressure taken from now on,' that doc has a screw loose and is in the wrong business. Well, in my opinion, home-machine data showing high leak and continuing events in clusters can be more indicative of immediate threat to life than sustained high blood pressures. Good docs should care about both blood-pressure data and sleep data when history indicates that to be prudent, whether the patient understands all the reasons for that or not. And attempts should be made to educate the patient on the significance of both. That is in harmony with the value of human life. Heck, even if a patient smokes, sits on his butt all day, and drinks like a fish, a good doc will still encourage and remind the patient of what science says about all that and will attempt to get the patient involved in monitoring and improving that which can be monitored and improved. Five percent or not. And no sane doc says about any sane patient, 'I don't want to get the patient obsessed with her blood pressure, so I think it best that I ban that patient from ever owning a blood-pressure monitor on any sort.' If a patient worries too much about the BP numbers, educate the patient. Don't deny the patient data.

In my opinion.

And I have many of them.

Several a bit, uh, nonstandard, I know.

-jeff

[sleepstar]

I do explain about the data. And I will explain how their data compares to their sleep study and their previous usage. However,the overwhelming majority of people do not want to know about their data. I've literally had them say that to me. I've also had them buy "bricks" by their request. I explain that the machine will not record data, only hours used, and they will often say "I don't need the data" or "is the data needed now? It's $100 less without it right?".

I would be lying if I said that yes, it's essential you have it. However, I do explain that it is very helpful having the data. The pressure requirements you need can change over time (due to age, weight etc) and the data is helpful to adjust the pressure appropriately.

[49er]

I do explain about the data. And I will explain how their data compares to their sleep study and their previous usage. However,the overwhelming majority of people do not want to know about their data. I've literally had them say that to me. I've also had them "buy bricks" by their request. I explain that the machine will not record data, only hours used, and they will often say "I don't need the data" or "is the data needed now? It's $100 less without it right?".

I would be lying if I said that yes, it's essential you have It.

I am curious as to the reason why you would say that. Not playing gotcha as an FYI.

Even if medical care is "free" in the UK, if someone is having trouble with pap therapy and only a sleep study will provide the answer due to not having a data capable machine, it might be awhile before they had an answer vs. being able to look at the data right away. Of course, if someone can't afford to spend the extra $100, that might not matter but still, I am curious.

49er

[jnk]

My rant wasn't directed at you, sleepstar. I have a feeling you are an exceptional player in a game that is still being invented and that isn't quite yet being played on a level field.

If a patient refuses access to data even when reminded of its value, that is the patient's choice, not yours. No one expects docs or other pros to force data on us.

It is also not "essential" to have BP data and weight data if a patient refuses to allow that info to be taken and recorded. No one expects a doc to force the patient to buy a home BP monitor when a patient refuses to do so, and no one expects a doc to force a drug down anyone's throat.

But I still like to rant on this board about the docs who seem to believe that home-machine data isn't of any use to anyone at any time.

Admittedly, I haven't checked my personal PAP data in months. I checked it religiously for the first year or so, though, until I was confident my treatment was as good as I could get it.

My position is that it should be available when a patient allows it to be available, even though a high percentage of patients can be, and are, highly successful without it.

I thank you for contributing honestly and helpfully to this board.

-jeff