You Don't Have To Be An Engineer!

[pikov22]

I went to my sleep doctor's office this past Monday to pick up a copy of my prescription. My DME has been non-responsive lately to requests from me and my doctor, so I decided to keep one on-hand for when I order supplies on the internet (I have a high insurance deductible this year, and it would certainly save me money). I met with the nurse/doctor's assistant and explained to her that I wanted a copy of my prescription for my xPAP and supplies, since the DME has not been responsive. There was a look of surprise on her face as if this is the first time she ever heard of such a thing. I proceeded to explain to her that I wasn't dependent on the DME, since I have Encore Pro and have been adjusting the machine based on the data being generated. Immediately, a look of shock came over her face, and she asked me if I was an engineer. I wanted to say that it doesn't take an engineer to figure this out, but I didn't want to insult her intelligence (or lack of). Do these "medical professionals" actually think that the 'average' person can't figure these things out?

She probably hasn't figured out how to use her VCR to record things yet. (I know, who uses a VCR anymore, right?)

VCR? That' the thing with the 12:00 that blinks on and off?

[pikov22]

She probably hasn't figured out how to use her VCR to record things yet. (I know, who uses a VCR anymore, right?)

Or how to rewind her DVDs...

I can picture her trying to rewind her DVDs. ...........

How do you get the tape in that tiny slot????

[Cavmdc]

I'd say the path to diagnosis is where the physician shies.

Once a diagnoss is mde, and treatment ordered it owes become simple........ For most of us.

Greg

[knightlite]

I have changed my ways and I do not let the dme know what I'm doing . Play dumb- don't show your hand .You never know what they are thinking and they may withhold help and supplies.

[Tino2You]

... taken them eight years and hundreds of thousands of dollars to learn. OUCH! You hurt their ego.

Or more likely, hurt their wallets!
-tino

[Al N]

My Dr actually told his nurse while I was setting in the room. To have me show her how to generate the reports from sleepyheads. The only reports that she knows how to run is the compliance report. Not from slepyhead I'm sure. When he saw all of the different graphs he was interested. I told him I could print them of and bring them in with me, response was that it shouldn't be my responsibility. He said to make the DME run off the full report. And of course show his nurse how. She wasn't to interested and didn't have the time that day lol. Haven't yet talked to the DME about it.

[pikov22]

My Dr actually told his nurse while I was setting in the room. To have me show her how to generate the reports from sleepyheads. The only reports that she knows how to run is the compliance report. Not from slepyhead I'm sure.

I think that there are legal problems that prohibit medical offices from using software like Sleepyhead.

I decided I would bring my laptop with me to my next appointment so I could show them what SH can report, as well as SH's ability to let you zone in on a small segment of time.

[khauser]

IMO, you talked too much about things that you did not need to mention. Just ask for a copy of your Rx. As a matter of fact your Doc is the one to provide it to you.

On this I have to disagree. If I can't talk about myself and what I do to treat myself to my doctor or other staff involved with my care, then they're simply not a good person to have on my team! I should not fear discussion of any sort with my medical team. As soon as I do experience that fear it's going to affect my ultimate well-being.

The only time I would even CONSIDER that is that something new going on my record can affect my insurability, etc. I have had discussions with my doctor where I explicitly asked for it not to be on my record, and I've received advice from my doctor to avoid a certain diagnosis as long as possible for the same reason.

That's a doctor I want on MY team....

[lewsterr]

IMO, you talked too much about things that you did not need to mention. Just ask for a copy of your Rx. As a matter of fact your Doc is the one to provide it to you.

On this I have to disagree. If I can't talk about myself and what I do to treat myself to my doctor or other staff involved with my care, then they're simply not a good person to have on my team! I should not fear discussion of any sort with my medical team. As soon as I do experience that fear it's going to affect my ultimate well-being.

The only time I would even CONSIDER that is that something new going on my record can affect my insurability, etc. I have had discussions with my doctor where I explicitly asked for it not to be on my record, and I've received advice from my doctor to avoid a certain diagnosis as long as possible for the same reason.

That's a doctor I want on MY team....

I totally agree. Medical care should be a joint/team effort between physician and patient. If the comfort level isn't there to talk about anything and everything in confidence, you should be looking for another physician.