Has anyone had to transfer a parent to a different doctors office while they were on Zytiga? Is it possible to transfer to a different doctors office when a patient is on a drug like Zytiga that is so specialized, it's only administered by the doctors office? Dad's prostate cancer has progressed, it's spread to his bones, he was referred to another urology office who could administer the Zytiga. Everything is good with the office, but the doctor. I've gone with dad on appointments even before he really needed me, because he asked. Dad is intelligent but poorly educated, has always had a hard time understanding medical terminology, couldn't fill out his paperwork, says yes to everything in a doctors office, even in regard to when he's asked about symptoms. Can't pronounce prostate. Dad has a minor speech issue, born that way. I've been his caregiver for five years, he's 83, hard of hearing, has difficulty walking, we use a wheel chair. This doctor does not acknowledge me as a caregiver, does not want me to ask questions, does not talk to dad about side effects to watch out for. The doctor has one chair pulled to his desk for the patient and three chairs on the side against the wall always. I ask questions, doc gets angry, like I've inconvenienced him and I'm taking up good air in his office by being there. Doctor has been asked about walking, why doesn't he walk? Dad tells him in his way, doctor doesn't understand or listen. Yesterday dad was asked about his dentures. I said "dentures?". The man leaned up on his desk from a sitting position, put his fists on his desk, leaned over wide eyed and glared me down, took a moderate scolding/correcting stance towards me because I asked why do dentures matter with prostate cancer. My dad leaned back in his wheelchair, and in all honesty the behavior frightened me. I've noticed this doctor was extremely tense from the first appointment. I want to find another urology office closer to home, see if they can request dads medical records, schedule an appointment and see if they can get his zytiga in time without a gap in treatment. I don't want to cause conflict with the current office either, but I feel this doctor will not work well with us when dad reaches a point he needs Xofigo (Radium 223) and he's radioactive and may need to be hospitalized for that reason. We need a doctor who works well with the caregiver as this progresses. Any ideas, or similar experiences?
Please do not worry about causing any problems with the current provider and his office. Your father deserves better treatment, most esp at this stage in life. You do not owe them anything. You don’t owe them any explanation. Gather up copies of his medical record with this practice. Ask the medical record dept for copies and just say, you want it for your records. So when you find a new doctor, there’ll be no need to deal with them.
I hope that you and your dad will finally find a doctor that believes in his calling.
As a note--if he really knows his stuff and a very good doctor, I'd keep him. I would much rather have a nasty doctor who knows his stuff than a very nice one who will give you less-than-optimum treatment. Anybody can be nice. Besides you only have to put up with him sometimes.
If it's at all possible (insurance, scheduling, etc.), find another doctor, and then fire this one. Your dad doesn't need to feel uncomfortable with this guy - he has enough problems already - and you don't need the aggravation. And if you successfully engage another practice, be sure to tell this one why you're going elsewhere.
word of mouth will hurt his reputation as a doctor...and his referrals...
We even changed in the hospital when Mom was near death. I reported the less-than-compassionate (also irresponsible) care to hospital administrators and websites alike. I wasn’t worried that the doctor was the hospital’s “superstar.”
When Mom recovered, she thanked me for advocating for her. She felt protected and loved.
i agree with letting the doctor know up front your dad's disabilities and letting him know you are his caregiver and (I hope) Medical POA and that you will be asking questions. Do this outside the exam room before the doctor sees him. Some doctor's love to intimidate and patronize with their God complex. But if that doesn’t work, in the meantime you have searched out other options and have a fall back.
But seriously, doctors are a sad bunch. Very few care about health, wellness, and side effects. They are just drug-pushing robots.
Don't let this doctor intimidate you. Hopefully you can find a better one.
Q: What's the difference between God and your doctor?
A: God doesn't think He's a doctor.
But the important thing is that this is a little *joke*. I don't know how many doctors you know, but I know quite a few. They might not be surprised by your insulting remarks but they would be saddened by them, and they might well wonder why they even bother putting in the hours, the care and the concentration that they do.
Did you make the doctor aware of Dads hearing loss and speech problems? Doctors like to feel the patient out. They need feed back from the patient. The best thing you can do is just sit and let the doctor do this. When you come into the office, tell the doctor who you are, daughter and caregiver. Dads problems with hearing loss, speach and that as his caregiver you have concerns. If he acts the same way, ask him why.
Are you restricted to what Urologist you can use? Medicare allows you to use any doctor you wish but Medicaid and supplimentals tend to have a network. When you call another office, ask if they take Dads insurance and handle his Meds. Is this doctor an oncologist specializing in urology that is why only he can administer that particular med?
To be honest, now his cancer is in the bone, will chemo help at all?
I hope your doctor can become more responsive. As your father’s caregiver, medical staff should be willing to answer your question. Hope this all works out for you and your dad.
I've no idea what the doctor's issue is, but he has to accept that you are acting on your father's behalf and asking legitimate questions, and answer you as though you were your father. And you can't afford to let his arse-y attitude get in the way.
Having said that, why challenge a question? I've no idea what dentures have to do with prostate cancer either, but that doesn't mean it wasn't a perfectly good question.
I'm sorry you have this stressful matter to deal with on top of everything else, but then that's the thing to do. Get it *dealt* with, and out of your way.