Advice on how to handle this doctor situation? (long)

[PrairieAir]

Our local school offers a day where everyone can come and have their sports physicals done at the school by a doctor from a nearby town for just $20 each and the school gets half of the money. I took my three youngest as physicals are required for both sports and P.E. participation. I sent the kids back by themselves because of the way they were running all the kids through.

 

When my 11yodd came back, she had notes on her paper form which I didn't understand, so I asked the nurse who is also the school trainer. She didn't even understand (that notorious doctor handwriting and abbreviations) and brought me back to ask the doctor directly. He said that because she had marked "Yes" to "Have you ever experienced back pain?" and because she had previously been in gymnastics (quit beginning of July) that he suspected spondylosis which is something to do with tiny cracks and weak points in the vertebrae. He said he would not clear her for gymnastics or wrestling. Okay, not a problem since she isn't participating in either of those sports. He also said he recommended she get special X-rays that could only be done at certain sports medicine places (like his) or by an orthopedic surgeon. He said that depending on what the X-rays indicated, surgery could be an option or that she could just take the time off from doing activities which could aggravate the condition and they would either heal on their own or not worsen. I explained that dd had been to a chiropractor twice in her life, both times during the past year. She did not have chronic or continual back pain, but she did have a few vertebrae slightly out of whack and that the pain ceased each time after the adjustment. I also explained to him that dd had grown 4-6" during the past year and that I suspected some of her minor aches and pains were growing pains. Also, not all of these aches were in the area he indicated. He still thought she should be seen and offered the services of a specialist at his clinic. I was inclined to think he was a bit cracked, but I considered what he said.

 

In the car on the way home, oldest dd, after hearing what he said about youngest dd, said, "Don't listen to him Mom; he's an idiot." I asked her why she said this and she told me that he had inquired about her surgery and injury which were listed on her form. She told him she was in a horseback riding accident two years ago and had her pelvis broken in 5 places. She'd had surgery and had a plate placed across the front of her pelvis and a screw from the back part into her sacrum to set the bone while it healed. Last summer she had the hardware removed. She was cleared by her orthopedic surgeon to play basketball three months after the accident. She has returned to riding and all her normal activities without any pain or discomfort. The sports doctor told her that was great that she was able to continue normal activities now and that her surgeon had cleared her but that she might have pain as she gets older and that she would not be able to have children. She told him that her surgeon had told her several times that there should be no problem with her having children. The sports doctor replied that if she did she would almost certainly have to have a C-section.

 

WHOA! Okay, I'm barely able to look past the wackiness of the first assessment on 11yodd. What the heck is this guy doing talking to my 16yodd about whether or not she will be able to have children--as part of a sports physical? How is he in any way qualified to give his opinion in a five minute look at dd's paperwork and tapping at her knees? I doubt he even had enough information to give the opinion on 11yodd's back, but at least that's more his department. I was pissed at hearing this. When dh got home from work with 14yods and heard the story, he was more than pissed. He was ready to kick the guy's @$$. He insisted on taking 14yods in for his physical at the school and I went along to make sure he didn't do what he wanted to. We didn't end up talking to the guy. I really didn't think it was best for dh to do it at that point. I wish I had talked to him though.

 

16yodd had been having some pain around her largest scar and she was worried that it might not be "normal" so yesterday we went to talk with the surgeon and have him look at it. When I called to make the appointment, I mentioned to his nurse what the sports doctor had said about difficulty with her having children later and asked the nurse to have the doctor talk to dd about this. (I didn't want to bring it up with the doctor while dd was in the room, but I did want him to reassure her.) I also explained what the sports doc had said about 11yodd and asked if they could do the X-rays there or if they thought it was necessary. The nurse was outraged. She thought the sports doc was out of line to even bring up the whole pregnancy and childbirth issue, much less give an opinion. She said that the orthopedic surgeon doesn't do backs any more, but she didn't see how the sports doc could have come up with that in such a quick exam with so little information and that if we were concerned we should ask our primary care provider to see if he recommended someone to take her to for screening.

 

At the appointment yesterday, the orthopedic surgeon took X-rays and looked at the scar tissue, everything looks good and there are some stretches dd can do to help with the tightness and pain around the scar tissue. He also restated what he'd said before about it not being a problem for her having children. He said the scar tissue may affect how well things were able to loosen up for delivery, but that a good, confident ob would probably agree to trying for a normal delivery and reserve C-section for only if absolutely necessary. He said that things could go either way and there's no way to tell for certain now, but that there is a good possibility she will be able to deliver normally and it's nothing to worry about if she does need a C-section.

 

On the way home from dd's appointment, she mentioned that several of the other girls at school had said that the sports doc said strange things to them that went against what their personal doctors had already told them. I am so bothered by this whole situation! We will not go back to that doctor for a physical or anything else in the future, even if he is the one giving the physicals at the school. I'd rather drive further and pay more.

 

Here's my question (finally). How do you think I should handle this? I'm inclined to go down to our small school district office and talk to someone there about this. I'd like to recommend that they not use this guy again. The only thing bothering me about it is that I did not tell the guy what I thought at the time. I haven't complained to him yet, so I'm not sure if it is right to complain to the school and suggest they not use him in the future. On the other hand, I think this guy's a screwball, he doesn't deserve the business, I doubt the quality of his medical opinion, and it seems it wasn't just my girls that he gave weird opinions to. Would you recommend to the district office that they use someone else in the future?

 

If you've made it this far, thank you for your patience. I'd really value any thoughts you have about this, particularly those who are in the medical field or married to someone who is. I really want to be fair, and I realize that as upset as I am about the situation, I may not be thinking clearly.

[Guest]

oh my! I think you have every right to be upset about this! Now be forewarned, my dh doesn't always think I handle these things the best (he says I tend to be a bit irrational :blink:) so I'm not the best to give advice, but I do not see any harm in complaining and suggesting the school district office use someone else in the future. You're not threatening them, just offering them a suggestion.

 

The good thing, is that you don't have to use them in the future. So, you can offer your suggestion, but it is basically for the protection of those who come in the future. As long as your motive is not to be making things right (because there's nothing you can do now and there was no physical harm done) but simply to warn for the future, I think that what you want to do is fine.

 

I'm a little more hesitant of letting my kids be without me, but they're younger - maybe that's more common for the older age?

 

Sorry your dd had to go through that.

[Jean in Newcastle]

Oh boy, that is a toughie. I know what I would do. I would not go back again (as you already mentioned). And knowing myself, I would vent to my dh and get a qualified 2nd opinion (again as you've done). And then I would drop it. (but that is just because that is more my nature to do so than because I think you should do so.) There is one situation where I would do more: if he wanted to a pelvic exam on your dd because of her accident (or something of that nature). Then that is clearly out of line and so I would make the biggest stink in the world.

[Annie G]

Our middle daughter went to one of these sports physical round ups when she was in 10th grade and one 'station' she had to visit involved the doctor asking her if she was sexually active and handing out paperwork on how to get free condoms and birth control. None of the other parents was bothered by that at all.

In the end, he wouldn't clear dd because she has asthma so we still had to go to the family doc for clearance.

Sorry you had a bad experience...but at least your kids know that even though a doc is usually someone they'd respect, they know a quack when they see one.

[Aunty Social]

first :grouphug:. I have to commend you for your restraint. I'd probably have lost it and ended up causing a scene.

 

I would definitely call the school and tell them what is going on. Sounds like this guy is trying to scare people into coming to him for further work. I would also write him and let him know that you are very upset with his actions, don't feel that he spent enough time or had enough history to give the opinions he gave, and that you were complaining to the school. I wouldn't speak with him, because he just won't get it.

 

Sounds like one of those "i'm in the neighborhood with some extra tar - need your driveway fixed?" scams.

 

Of course, he may be a dedicated dr., with great knowledge and a willingness to share every possible scenario that could be. Some people just don't have very good social/conversational editing skills. But i'm cynical, so I lean more toward scam....especially since he is contradicting your dd's surgeon, without benefit of any history or extra workup.

 

Good luck!

[Janet in Toronto]

Ask yourself: why would a doctor agree to do sports physicals for $10 per student? (If I understood correctly, the other $10 is going to the school.) Either he is incredibly altruistic and wants to help the school, or he is marketing himself, i.e., looking to drum up business.

 

Whether or not you decided to speak further with the physician, I would be tempted to talk to the school that organized this and express your concerns that this might not be a good arrangement.

[dirty ethel rackham]

Based upon what you told said, not just about your daughter's experience, but that the problem is pervasive enough that other families have commented on it, I would definitely complain. Nothing gets my ire up than a doc who makes uninformed snap judgments and hides behind the lofty MD to spout nonsense. He had no business commenting on things of which he has no knowledge. YEESH!!

[Vida Winter]

Here's my question (finally). How do you think I should handle this? I'm inclined to go down to our small school district office and talk to someone there about this. I'd like to recommend that they not use this guy again. The only thing bothering me about it is that I did not tell the guy what I thought at the time. I haven't complained to him yet, so I'm not sure if it is right to complain to the school and suggest they not use him in the future. On the other hand, I think this guy's a screwball, he doesn't deserve the business, I doubt the quality of his medical opinion, and it seems it wasn't just my girls that he gave weird opinions to. Would you recommend to the district office that they use someone else in the future?

 

If you've made it this far, thank you for your patience. I'd really value any thoughts you have about this, particularly those who are in the medical field or married to someone who is. I really want to be fair, and I realize that as upset as I am about the situation, I may not be thinking clearly.

 

Yes, some doctors are total jerks. I would mention it to the school district. No need to complain to the doctor himself, in my opinion.

[elegantlion]

Your children sound very mature and seemed to have handled this experience well. However, think of the parents whose children are intimidated or parents who place ultimate faith in what this Dr. has said? I would definitely complain to the school for the greater good.

[In The Great White North]

I would definitely complain.

 

I wonder how the Medical Board (and his liability insurance) would view this practice. Look at a child for 2 minutes and certify that they are able to play sports?

 

There is no possible way this is anything other than a paper drill.

[Parrothead]

If it were me at the point where you are now, I'd write letters to the school district and the state medical board.

 

Contacting the quack doctor won't do you any good. He will just cite that his diagnosis is only his expert medical opinion. You could argue with him til you are blue in the face, but he won't change his stance.

[PrairieAir]

Thank you all for your advice. I think I feel comfortable talking with the school about it now.

 

My reason for saying something is not "to make it right" and though I'm irritated, I agree no real harm was done. There was no suggestion of a pelvic exam or anything more intimate than the regular sports physical. You can bet he and the school and the state medical board would have heard from me immediately if that were the case! Dd wouldn't have gone for it either. I'm pretty certain there was no sex or birth control talk either, but I think I will ask dd just to make sure. This is a very small town with a very conservative school and school board. They would not stand for that type of discussion with kids without the parents' presence or at least knowledge.

 

The three hour clinic was no doubt very profitable for him since he is a sports doctor in a small town and certainly would not have done enough business in a normal three hour period to equal what I estimate he got out of doing the physicals. I'm sure he can also use the donation to the school as a tax write off. It is profitable for the school as well, and I like to support the school in that way. They did check everything that would normally be checked for a sports physical and it took about the same amount of time between the nurse and doctor as it has taken in the past at our chiropractor and at our family doctor.

 

Some of you helped put words to what I was thinking. Basically, I want the school to be aware and I don't want other parents to get talked into procedures which are not necessary just so this guy can get extra business. I had pretty much dropped the idea of complaining to the school until dd told me that other girls reported him telling them strange things too. Dd wasn't very clear about exactly what was said to those other girls though.

 

I will probably pop in and talk to the folks at the district office when I go to pick the kids up from school this afternoon. I don't really think this warrants getting the state medical board involved or anything, but I'd like the school to consider someone else for next year's physical roundup.

 

Thanks again for your help.

[Remudamom]

For Pete's sake, what a nut job. My brother is an orthopedic surgeon, and I'm pretty sure he considers obstectrics (sp?) out of his realm of expertise.

 

Tell the school they messed up hiring this guy and tell your dds he's a quack.